Plica (parchment)
As plica (lat. Plica "fold") or edge folding is referred to in documents from parchment a folded edge. By turning it over, the edge was strengthened and better protected against tearing. At the same time, the folded edge was better suited for holes or incisions through which cords or straps could be pulled to hold seals . As a rule, the parchment bend was used to fasten seals with the help of cords or parchment presses; a plica without a seal can usually only be found in document concepts or unfinished documents.
On or below the plica, i.e. only visible when the plica is upturned (as can be seen in the illustration), you can find chancellery notes: clerk's sigla, tax statements, notarization orders, first on papal documents since the beginning of the 13th century, later also on documents from kings, dukes or Bishops.
literature
- Harry Bresslau : Handbook of document teaching for Germany and Italy. Volume 2, 3rd edition, Verlag Walter de Gruyter, Berlin 1958, pp. 592-596