Legal Definitions - capitula itineris

Capitula itineris refers to the specific list of inquiries or "articles" that royal justices would present to local communities during their judicial circuits, known as "eyres," in medieval England. These articles served as a comprehensive agenda, guiding the investigation into various aspects of local governance, royal rights, criminal activity, and administrative compliance within a particular region. They were essentially the terms of reference for the judicial visit, ensuring that all relevant matters were examined by the traveling court.

• Imagine a royal justice arriving in a remote county in the 13th century. Among the capitula itineris presented to the local jury might be the question: "Has any serious felony, such as murder or robbery, been committed in this hundred since the last eyre, and if so, who is suspected, and has the community pursued justice?"

  This example illustrates how the capitula itineris functioned as a direct investigative tool for uncovering serious crimes and ensuring that local communities were fulfilling their duty to maintain law and order, a key concern for the Crown.

• Another item on the capitula itineris might inquire: "Are all royal lands and properties within this shire being properly managed, and have all feudal dues and taxes owed to the King been collected and accounted for by the local officials?"

  This demonstrates the justices' role in overseeing the Crown's financial interests and ensuring that royal revenues were being diligently collected and that royal assets were not being neglected or misappropriated by local administrators.

• A justice might also present an article asking: "Have any local sheriffs, bailiffs, or other royal officials abused their authority, taken bribes, or failed to execute royal writs and commands properly?"

  This example highlights the use of capitula itineris as a mechanism for accountability, allowing the Crown to monitor the conduct of its local representatives and address any instances of corruption or maladministration that could undermine royal authority.