ABSTRACT
The early medieval English kings wereforced into an itinerant mode of life by anumber of circumstances as has been noted already. Their territorial dominions were on both sides of the English Channel and, at their widest extent, in Henry II’s reign, stretched from the Cheviots to the Pyrenees. The scattered nature of the royal estates required incessant travelling by a hungry mobile court. What economics dictated politics confirmed. The ruler needed to stamp his will on turbulent and potentially disaffected subjects from time to time by actually putting in an appearance. The king was also under an obligation to lead in war, to sit in judgment and to supervise in administration. All these tasks had preferably to be undertaken in person. This implied travel on a truly massive scale. A medieval English king, consequently, had to have a robust constitution, able to stand up to the rigours of the appallingly strenuous travelling schedule imposed by the job.
