#english_history 

## Outdated method
[[Troubles on the Throne in 10th-11th century England|William the Conqueror]] had governed England and Normandy by travelling from one place to another to make sure that his authority was accepted. Hence, the king's "household" was the government, and it was always on the move. Although they were crowned in Westminster and kept their treasury in Winchester, there was no real capital. This method was only suitable for a small kingdom.

## Reforms
By the time the English kings were ruling half of France they instead sent nobles and knights from the royal household to act as [[Government and society of the Saxons|sheriffs]]. However, the people who could administer taxation, justice, and carry out the king's instructiong were based in Winchester, but by the time of Edward I it had moved to Westminster, where it remains today.
All the records were kept in Westminster, including the [[Feudalism after the Norman Conquest#^e07df8|Domesday Book]].
Soon after the administration began sprawling very quickly:
in 1050 Edward the Confessor had a seal to sign official papers. By the time of Edward I, even the poorest man was expected to have a seal in order to sign official papers.