from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
CURIA REGIS. An English court, which assumed this name, during the reign of
Henry II. It was Curia or Aula Regis, because it was held in the great hall
of the king's palace; and where the king, for some time, administered
justice in person. But afterwards, the judicial power was more properly
entrusted to the king's judges. The judges who sat in this court were
distinguished by the name of justices, or justiciaries. Besides these, the
chief justiciary, the stewart of all England, the chancellor, the
chamberlain, and the treasurer, also took part in the judicial proceedings
of this court.