A Moveable Feast? Itineration and the Centralization of Government Under Henry I
Stephanie Mooers Christlelow
In this year, king Henry was in Windsor at Christmas, and wore his crown there…. The spent Easter Kingsthorpe near Northhampton…. Whit Sunday St. Albans. Thereafter, midsummer, he went with levies into Wales…. Thereafter came to Winchester… oversea [sic] Normandy. ( Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, sub anno 1114, versions H E.) This fairly representative account of the travels an Anglo-Norman dominions during course one year is testimony peripatetic character royal ducal administrations eleventh- twelfth-centuries. But, like other sources used isolation, it barely indicates intensity itinerating government reached long reign I (1100–1135), which maintained a heightened pitch chaotic decades come. Modern historians have recognized that itineration fundamental medieval kingship crucial governance geographically disparate realm, as kings divided their time between historically separate regions. Itineration practical device absence fully-developed governmental institutions well economic necessity, for partially monetarized economies, not always possible move goods easily from county districts main centers power. Only handful recent, comprehensive studies Norman Angevin England touched on subject itineration. David C. Douglas concentrated men who comprised household attended meetings curia analyses William Conqueror's (1066–1087) personal kingship.
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