Page "Common law" Paragraph 18

Additionally, from at least the 11th century and continuing for several centuries after that, there were several different circuits in the royal court system, served by itinerant judges who would travel from town to town dispensing the King's justice.

The term " common law " was used to describe the law held in common between the circuits and the different stops in each circuit.

The more widely a particular law was recognized, the more weight it held, whereas purely local customs were generally subordinate to law recognized in a plurality of jurisdictions.