Authenticating Features in the TEI

Abstract

Textual and paratextual elements that serve to establish the authenticity of documents abound and carry meaning that is important—often central—to the meaning of the document as received, but are currently only lightly modeled in TEI. This paper will discuss issues in the modeling of authenticating features across time periods and regional boundaries, from the existing <seal> element to medieval European chirographs to Japanese jitsu-in. Here, I will make the case for the applicability of authenticating elements, introduce a preliminary working vocabulary of methods of authenticating elements, and demonstrate how they can be modeled in TEI.

Keywords

• authentication
• seal
• stamp
• authenticity
• diplomatics
• charters