Editing Abbreviator (section)

An '''abbreviator''' (plural "abbreviators" in English, ''abbreviatores'' in Latin) or '''breviator''' was a writer of the [[Apostolic Chancery|Papal Chancery]] who adumbrated and prepared in correct form [[Papal bull]]s, [[Papal brief|briefs]], and [[papal consistory|consistorial]] decrees before these were written out ''in extenso'' by the ''scriptores''.<ref name="Chisholm"/>

They are first mentioned in the [[Papal bull]] ''[[Extravagantes]]'' of [[Pope John XXII]] and in a [[Papal bull]] of [[Pope Benedict XII]].<ref name="Chisholm"/>

After the [[protonotary|protonotaries]] left the adumbration of the minutes to the Abbreviators, those ''de Parco majori'' of the dignity of [[prelate]] were the most important officers of the [[Papal Chancery]]. By the pontificate of [[Pope Martin V]] their signature was essential to the validity of the acts of the Chancery. Over time they obtained many important privileges.<ref name="Chisholm">{{EB1911|inline=1|wstitle=Abbreviators|volume=1|page=30}}</ref>