Charter

[L. Lat. charta, carta; L. Fr. chartre, (qq. v.)] In old English law. A written instrument under seal, containing the evidence of things done between man and man.* CowelL ffolthouse. Otherwise called a private charter. Bract, fol.

38 b.

A conveyance of lands; a contract, covenant or other sealed instrument, {scripturn obsignatum.) Spelman, voc. Ckarta, This term was much more comprehensive than the modem deed, which has taken its place; and was used as an English word, (framed probably from the Fr. chartre,) as early as the time of Bracton, who gives the following as an English phrase, {secundum quod Anglice dicitur) — fiee lisH hnX^t totft anti chatter; signifying that a party had both a charter or. deed o? land, and a writ, that is, a letter of attorney to deliver possession. Bract, fol.

40.

The term charter was not obsolete when Blackstone wrote, and was particidarly appropriate to a conveyance by feoffment.

2 Bl. Com, 205. Co. Litt. 36 a.

And as to the distinction between charters and deeds, see Maddox Formul. Angl, Diss, p.

2.

Mad, ffist, Exch. pref. ep. p.

8.

An instrument in writmg, containing a grant from the crown to any person or persons, or to any body politic, of any rights, liberties, franchises or privileges.* Otherwise called a royal charter {charta regia). Bract, fol.

33 b.

Some of the old acts of parliament were in the form of charters.

8 Co. The Princess case.

These royal charters are preserved in the Charter Rolls, the series of which commences in the year 1199, and terminates in 1516, when that species of royal diploma ceased; and all the written acts of the sovereign in the nature of grants were thenceforward made in the form of letters patent, and recorded upon the Patent Rolls, Huhbaclcs Evid. of Su^:cession, 616. See Charter Rolls,