Visualized Evidence. Manuscript Maps and Genealogies as Exhibits at the Imperial Chamber Court (1495-1806)

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Anette Baumann
• Subject Area: Early Modern History ; Principles of Law and Jurisprudence
• Term: from 2016 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 324472552

The project presented aims to explore the production of optical and geodetical evidence by means of analysing pieces of juridical evidence presented to the Imperial Chamber Court (1495 go 1806). The project will also analyze the ways in which scientific facts were used as a means of verifcation over time throughout the history of law. The idea is to show, how evidence of space and authority was proven in a juristic communication process. This aim will be achieved by statistically evaluating manuscript maps and genealogies in their different forms of display, like p. e. coats of arms, which were included into the ca. 80.000 process files of the Imperial Chamber Court. This is to achieve a reliable overview of the communication about space, authority and practices of proof. A second step will include detailed studies in a number of archives which cover the entire area of jurisdiction that the Imperial Chamber Court held in the Holy Roman Empire throughout the early modern era. By doing so, the actual and juridical context of the various means of evidence will be explored in closer detail while analyzing the matters in dispute they refer to; accompanied by the relevant legislation an contemporary literature.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants