Historically the ultimate source of all justice in England was the monarch. All judges sit in judgement on Her Majesty's behalf (hence they have the royal coat of arms displayed behind them) and criminal prosecutions are generally made in her name. Historically, local magnates administered justice in Manorial Courts and other ways. Inevitably, the justice administered was patchy and appeals were made direct to the King. The King's travelling representatives (whose primary purpose was tax collection) acted on behalf of the king to make the administration of justice more even. The tradition of judges travelling around the country in set 'circuits' remains to this day, where they hear cases in the district registries of the High Court.
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