Final answer:
An abbreviated history of a property detailing transfers, grants, wills, and other legal matters is called an abstract of title. Medieval Catalonia used similar records, like llibres d'estimes, for tax assessments on property.
Step-by-step explanation:
An abbreviated history of a property, including information on transfers, grants, wills, conveyances, liens, and encumbrances, is commonly referred to as an abstract of title. This document provides a condensed history of the legal ownership of the property, which can include a myriad of details about past and present owners, as well as any financial claims or legal issues tied to the property.
In historical contexts such as medieval Catalan municipalities, similar records known as llibres d'estimes (or books also known as del manifest or de valies) were employed to assess taxes on the inhabitants' property, such as houses, gardens, mills, fields, and vineyards. Each owner was obliged to make a comprehensive declaration under oath, detailing the real estate held within the municipality, which would then be valued for tax purposes.
Understanding those historical precedents help us comprehend the complexities that come with property registers and the need to maintain accurate and updated records, preventing disputes over property boundaries, rights, and obligations.