Forgery and Memory at the End of the First Millennium

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An in-depth exploration of documentary forgery at the turn of the first millennium, this work examines the phenomenon of falsifying texts in the tenth and eleventh centuries, a practice that significantly impacted historical memory and societal shifts in the Middle Ages. Religious houses across Europe began producing forged documents to enhance local records, marking a transformative period that laid the groundwork for the European ancien régime. The author analyzes five sets of falsified texts from regions including France, England, Germany, and northern Italy, revealing how these forgeries contributed to the emergence of new collective identities within and beyond the Church. This trend reflects evolving attitudes toward history, showcasing a growing fascination with antiquity. The findings challenge traditional narratives about the rise of antiquarianism, demonstrating that medieval forgers exhibited a sophistication comparable to their Renaissance counterparts, albeit focusing on the Church's history and local matters rather than classical literature. This comparative history sheds light on a pivotal moment in the Middle Ages, offering insights into how institutions and individuals actively rewrote and reimagined the past.