from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
JUSTICES IN EYRE. They were certain judges established if not first
appointed, A. D. 1176, 22 Hen. II. England was divided into certain
circuits, and three justices in eyre, or justices itinerant, as they were
sometimes called, were appointed to each district, and made the circuit of
the kingdom once in seven years for the purpose of trying causes. They were
afterwards directed by Magna Charta, c. 12, to be sent into every county
once a year. The itinerant justices were sometimes mere justices of assize
or dower, or of general gaol delivery, and the like. 3 Bl. Com. 58-9;
Crabb's Eng. Law, 103-4. Vide Eire.