A system of writs originated well-defined actions in the royal
courts. Each court writ had to satisfy specific conditions for
this court to have jurisdiction over an action or event. This
system determined the Royal Court's jurisdiction over the church,
lords, and sheriffs. It limited the jurisdiction of all other
courts and subordinated them to the Royal Court. Inquests into any
misdeeds of sheriffs were held, which could result in their
dismissal.
Henry and Eleanor spoke many languages and liked discussing law,
philosophy, and history. So they gathered wise and learned men
about them, who became known as courtiers, rather than people of
social rank. They lived in the great and strong Tower of London,
which had been extended beyond the original White Tower, as had
other castles, so that the whole castle and grounds were defended
instead of just the main building. The Tower of London was in the
custody of one of the two justiciars. On the west were two
strongly fortified castles surrounded by a high and deeply
entrenched wall, which had seven double gates. Towers were spaced
along the north wall and the Thames River flowed below the south
wall. To the west was the city, where royal friends had residences
with adjoining gardens near the royal palace at Westminster. The
court was a center of culture as well as of government. The game
of backgammon was played. People wore belts with buckles, usually
brass, instead of knotting their belts.
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