Epistola

Lat. In old European law. A letter or epistle. Calv. Lex. Jurid. A charter; any instrument in writing for the conveyance of lands or the assurance of contracts; {instrum.entum quo pradia conceduntur, pojctionesque Jtrm^ntur. ) SpeU man. Spelman refers to Cassiodorus and Marculfus to show that all deeds or charters were, during, and after the lower empire, {ab inclinato imperio,) called epistolos; commencing as a letter, with an address and salutation. Hence the origin of the ancient form of charters or deeds in England, which commenced with — Omnibus Chrisli fidelibus ad quos hoc prcesens scriptum pervenerit, N. de D. salutem. Sciatis, &c, ** To all the faithful in Christ to whom this present writing shall come, N. of D. sends greeting: Know ye, &c." The same form of commencement is still preserved, with some modification, in our modern deeds poll.