eyre
n. C / Un. a journey made by a traveling judge in old England to visit different towns and hear legal cases.
n. a circuit travel undertaken by itinerant justices in medieval England to preside over local courts. Refers both to the journey itself and the court session held during the visit.
The judge arrived in the village during his eyre.
In the thirteenth century, the general eyre was a powerful tool for the king to oversee local administration and collect fines.
The arrival of the justices in eyre often caused significant anxiety among local officials, as any administrative oversight discovered during the proceedings could result in heavy financial penalties for the entire county.
Often used in the phrase 'in eyre' to describe the status of the traveling justices.