William the Conqueror had governed England and Normandy by travelling
from one place to another to make sure that his authority was accepted. He, and
the kings after him, raised some of the money they needed by trying cases and fining
people in the royal courts. The king's "household" was the
government, and it was always on the move. There was no real capital of the
kingdom as there is today. Kings were crowned in Westminster, but their
treasury stayed in the old Wessex capital, Winchester. When William and the
kings after him moved around the country staying in towns and castles, they
were accompanied by a large number of followers. Wherever they went the local
people had to give them food and somewhere to stay. It could have a terrible
effect. Food ran out, and prices rose.
This form of government could only work well for a small kingdom. By the
time the English kings were ruling half of France as well they could no longer
travel everywhere themselves. Instead, they sent nobles and knights from the
royal household to act as sheriffs. But even this system needed people who
could administer taxation, justice, and carry out the king's instructions. It
was obviously not practical for all these people to follow the king everywhere.
At first this "administration" was based in Winchester, but by the
time of Edward I, in 1290, it had moved to Westminster. It is still there
today. However, even though the administration was in Westminster the real
capital of England was still "in the king's saddle".
