The beginning of the modern parliament can be traced back to the 13th century when a council, known as the Curia Regis, or Great Council, advised the king. The Curia Regis was made up of noblemen and church officials. It was in fact, an English court, and it assumed this name during the reign of Henry II. It was called Curia or Aula Regis because it was held in the great hall of the king’s palace.
At first, the king administered justice in person. Later, justice was administered by the king’s judges. The judges who sat in this court were called ‘justices’. Besides these justices, the chief justice the steward of all England, the chancellor, the chamberlain, and the treasurer also took part in the proceedings of this court. The institution known as the parliament developed gradually from the Curia Regis.