The legal documents recording a private transaction, usually concerning the transfer of property, made before the king's justices. The form continued in use until the 19c. Such a document was a *chirograph, being cut into three pieces, one for each party, the third for the court. Seals were not used as most people did not have one, their use being largely confined to king and magnates. From the late 12c, these were enrolled as Feet of Fines.
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.