CHARTULARY. – A dignitary of the Byzantine Church, also called, under Andronicus II, “Great Chartulary,” who originally was the keeper of the patriarchal archives.
Later, under certain circumstances, he also replaced the patriarchal vicar general. He was accorded great honours, and his oath served as proof of the authenticity of the documents he delivered in councils. In particular, during episcopal elections, the appointment of high dignitaries, and the conferral of benefices, he was to examine the candidates, investigate their life and morals, and present them to the patriarch.
However, towards the end of the 12th century, some of his duties concerning clerics and monks passed to the “primus defensor” (πρωτέκδίκος).
Bibl.: A. Fortescue, s.V. in DACL, III, cols. 1014–19; Alberto Galieti