Inspeximus/Confirmation

Description

An inspeximus or confirmation document essentially confirms the contents of a previous document so that it can be used or expanded on in the future. The documents being inspected or confirmed can include contracts, grants, leases, notarial instruments, or letters from major figures (e.g. the Pope). There may be slight differences between the two types of documents; for example, a confirmation may have more to do with ratification of an extant document than its inspection. However, both have the same result of a reaffirmation of a previous agreement. They sometimes, though not always, include the location that the document was written, a list of witnesses, and a seal. Confirmation and inspeximus documents contributed to a growing documentary culture in the Middle Ages, specifically because of their focus on authentication.