was anciently a deed which, requiring a counterpart, was engrossed twice on the same piece of parchment, counterwise; leaving a space between, wherein was wrote Chirograph; through the middle whereof the parchment was cut, sometimes straight, sometimes indented; and a moiety given to each of the parties. This was afterwards called dividenda, and charta divisio; and was the same with what we now call charter-party. See Charter-party. The first use of these chirographs with us, was in the time of Henry III.

Chirograph was also anciently used for a fine; and the manner of engrossing the fines, and cutting the parchment in two pieces, is still retained in the office called the chirographer's office.