Among the uses which have been suggested for computergenerated concordances, in addition to the obvious one of locating a particular word or phrase, are counting word frequencies, establishing type/token ratios and identifying formulaic constructions. When unique copies of ancient manuscripts are being studied, another use becomes available: the conjecture of words missing (or partly missing) from damaged or faded parchment. Such a concordance proved exceptionally useful when Father Mariano D'Alatri of the Capucine Historical Institute in Rome suggested that I undertake the edition of the trial of the Templars in the Papal States 13091310 (Vatican Archives, Castel Sant'Angelo, Armadio D-207). The record of the trial is composed of 57 "membranes" of parchment sewn together at their edges to form one strip 35 m long. This strip was not rolled, as might be expected, but folded back and forth like a computer listing. When the microfilm arrived, it was apparent that the first six membranes of the manuscript were almost totally illegible. Any attempt to transcribe this portion of the document would have to be made with ultraviolet light in the Archives itself. An earlier unsuccessful effort at restoration, and large areas of mould, caused the principal problems. Membranes 9 through 12 were legible in part; the remaining 45 varied in condition from perfectly clear to moderately damaged near the end. The fact that no edition of this trial exists may well be due to the condition of the manuscript on the one hand, and on the other to the mislaying of the document for an indeterminate period of time, as reported by Templar trial expert Konrad Schottmiiller.' Serge Lusignan, professor of the computer treatment of medieval texts at the University of Montr6al, recommended that, after a preliminary transcription, I enter the complete text of D-207 into the computer. The aim was two-fold: The Templar Order, founded in 1118 as a military