How did wars and disputes over land contribute to medieval document forgery?

In the context of diplomatics, the study of documents, wars and land disputes were significant drivers of medieval forgery. These activities contributed to the fabrication of documents in several key ways:

• Lack of Written Title: During the early Middle Ages, many institutions, such as monasteries, held estates based on long-standing "customary" law rather than written deeds. As the use of written records became more prevalent, these institutions faced pressure to provide formal documentation to substantiate their existing rights.1
• Disruption of Possession: Wars and social disturbances frequently upset established land ownership. When powerful monarchs or rivals challenged these holdings, institutions were often induced to produce "ancient-looking" documents to protect their property or assert their claims.12
• Legitimizing Claims: The line between justifying legitimate, long-held possession and attempting to gain new territory or privileges was often blurred. Consequently, some religious establishments resorted to falsifying charters and title deeds to secure their economic and legal standing.2

While these forgeries were sometimes motivated by a desire to protect what was perceived as a "perfectly good" right, they were nonetheless a widespread practice that necessitated the later development of rigorous paleographical and diplomatic standards to verify authenticity.13