Dorsal notes originated from the practical need to manage the growing collectionof charters inside an institution. Medieval dorsal notes not only occurdisordered and unorganised, they sometimes even correct or complete eachother. However, the historical value of these 'scribbles' may not be underestimated,as they provide additional information concerning medieval archivalmanagement. This paper focuses on the charter collection of three Cistercianfemale communities in the county of Flanders, all founded in the thirteenthcentury: the Bijloke at Gent, and the communities of Flines near Orchies andMarquette near Rijsel.
