Practice question · Sort into groups
Sort each feature: a tell of forgery or normal in a genuine document?
Groups: Tell of forgery · Normal in a genuine document
- It is cluttered with details irrelevant to any later lawsuit
- It answers the present question perfectly and completely
- It assumes background everyone at the time knew
- It spells out precisely the right currently under dispute
Hints
- The forger's signature is being too helpful.
- Genuine documents assume things and leave clutter.
Show the answer
Tell of forgery: It spells out precisely the right currently under dispute, It answers the present question perfectly and completely
Normal in a genuine document: It assumes background everyone at the time knew, It is cluttered with details irrelevant to any later lawsuit
Why
The forger’s signature is psychological, not technical: he is too helpful. Genuine documents are cluttered and assume things; forgeries are clean and explain exactly the point that matters, because that is why they exist.
Practise Diplomatics and Forgery Detection
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More questions on Diplomatics and Forgery Detection
- A forged document can still record a true claim, and the forgery is itself evidence about the forger.
- Even once identified as an eighth-century forgery, what is the Donation excellent evidence of?
- Put the parts of a formal medieval document in order.
- Which of Valla’s findings condemned the Donation of Constantine?
- Many medieval monastic forgeries assert rights the house had genuinely held for generations. Why would anyone…