Itinerant justices

Definition

Itinerant justices were judges who traveled from place to place in medieval England to hear cases and administer justice. This system was an important aspect of royal administration, as it helped maintain law and order across the kingdom, especially in areas where local courts might be weak or corrupt. Their presence ensured that the king's authority was felt throughout the realm and that justice was delivered consistently.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Itinerant justices were crucial for extending royal authority into remote areas, helping to enforce laws consistently across England.
2. They were appointed by the king and usually traveled in a group, which lent authority to their proceedings and decisions.
3. Their visits to localities typically occurred on a regular schedule, allowing communities to anticipate when they could seek justice.
4. The practice of using itinerant justices helped to lay the groundwork for the development of a more centralized legal system in England.
5. Over time, as local courts became more established and reliable, the role of itinerant justices diminished but remained significant in the evolution of English law.

Review Questions

• How did itinerant justices contribute to the centralization of power during the medieval period?
  • Itinerant justices played a key role in centralizing power by traveling to various regions to enforce royal law and maintain order. Their presence ensured that even remote areas experienced justice according to the king's regulations, thus strengthening the king's authority. This system helped curb local corruption and reinforced a uniform application of law throughout England.
• In what ways did the role of itinerant justices evolve with the development of local courts?
  • As local courts became more organized and effective, the necessity for itinerant justices gradually decreased. Local judges began handling more cases independently, reducing the reliance on traveling justices. However, itinerant justices still played a crucial role in overseeing fairness and addressing grievances that local systems could not adequately handle, highlighting their importance in transitional phases of legal administration.
• Evaluate the impact of itinerant justices on the legal landscape of medieval England and its influence on modern legal systems.
  • The impact of itinerant justices on medieval England was profound as they established principles of fairness and due process in law enforcement. Their practices laid the foundation for common law traditions and modern judicial procedures, emphasizing consistency and accountability. This legacy continues to influence contemporary legal systems, where traveling judges or mobile court systems are still used in various forms to ensure justice is accessible even in underserved areas.

Related terms

Common Law:

A body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts, which formed the basis for the legal system in England.

Circuit Courts:

Courts that travel to different locations within a jurisdiction to hear cases, similar to the role of itinerant justices in medieval England.

Royal Courts: Courts established by the monarchy that handled serious criminal cases and significant civil disputes, emphasizing the centralization of justice.