in its earliest form a writ was simply a written order made by the english king to a specified person to undertake a specified action. for example in the feudal era a military summons by the king to one of his tenants-in-chief to appear dressed for battle with his knights at a certain place and time. an early usage survives in the united kingdom. also in canada in a writ of election. this was is a written order issued on behalf of the monarch (in canada, the governor general) to local officials (high sheriffs of every county in historical uk) to hold a general election. writs were used by the medieval english kings to summon persons to parliament.