Kleine Zettel, große Wirkung? Bemerkungen zur Rolle und Funktion von cedulae inclusae in der politischen Kommunikation zur Zeit des Rigaer Erzbistumsstreits (1480-1483)
Little Notes with a Major Impact? Observations on the Role and Function of cedulae inclusae in Political Communication in Late Medieval Livonia

Summary/Abstract: Written attachments were a widespread phenomenon in medieval postal correspondence. One form these took were the so-called cedulae inclusae, small notes written in mostly short sentences, which were enclosed with the main letter and contained neither a date nor any personalised components. Particularly in the context of politics, such letter attachments in the form of notes became a typical feature of written correspondence. Until now, however, they have remained largely unexamined in their capacity as source material for research. Inspired by a communication science perspective, this article investigates the role and function of cedulae inclusae within a specific historic case study taken from late 15th century Livonia. In an actor-centred investigation of the contemporary use of notes, several different application contexts become apparent: among other functions, cedulae served, in a political context, as a way of quickly passing on the latest announcements or information. They either contained amendments that supplemented the contents of a letter, or carried confidential or secret information. In addition to these different usage contexts, however, several functional aspects of cedulae inclusae can be reconstructed with regard to their content, which indicate that they were used in a calculated way as a political instrument. Largely due to their informal character, these letter supplements in the form of attached notes played a key role, for example, in the establishment or re-establishment of relationships of trust, in steering communication channels, and in transferring complex matters of conflict to a context separate from the main letter. The article therefore concludes that the cedulae inclusae were more than simply amended adjuncts to medieval letters. Particularly for the purpose of reconstructing the communication practice in the area of politics, they can be of integral importance.

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