Webster's Dictionary (1828) defines diplomatics as the "science of diplomas, or of ancient writings, literary and public documents, letters, decrees, charters, codicils, etc., which has for its object to decipher old writings, to ascertain their authenticity, their date, signatures, etc."[REF] .
More pragmatically, Peter Beal defines it as "the science or study of documents and records, including their forms, language, script and meaning.