The sun., 1896-10-04
TIE ORIGINAL STIR CHAMBER.
Something About This Famous Scheme OF
Oppres ssion.
From the Phuadeiphia Times.

From the Phtiddeiphia Times
When the Earl ot Richmond had defeated
Richard III. at Bosworth. and had been
crowned King as Henry VII, he found the
times in go troubled a state that men who's.
rights were infrnCed upon or deiiisIs - j,,It.
dared not apply for justice to 4se ordinary
courts. The unblushing maRner in which
bribes and threats were rHsorted 10 by those
that had influence over the proceeding of
these courts denied to them the security of Q
jurors oath.
To reach mischief that had grown so in
tolerabie, Henry, feeling himself strong enough
with HIS second Parliament, created a court,
dom, embracing. theoretically. the King HIM
self. who was considered the author OF all jus
and discretion over large underlined class of
offences. many of which We're of political
character, without the restraint of jury. and
subject to no revision by appeal. This was af-
terward known as the court Of the star cham
in which it met studded with stars or be-
cause in this apartment. prior TO the time of
in boxes or esest
=, This scheme had good results at first. Veal
X WITH HSa
this court, where neither fear favor could
avail. and tried Tor their offences. The great
est merit OF the court was that it was not de-
unwilling to render a verdict in keeping with
One said "a court thus constituted. with
,s power, 80 broad and discretion unlimited by
ence for wise and salutary purposes. was in the
end like invoking the spirit of mischief with
out corresponding power in reserve to lay 10
authority
Instead of losing power as tho necessity for
its existence passed away, it drew to. itself
new elements OF strength and enlarged the ex-
tent Of is jurisdiction. 1t became, after sue:
ambitious leaders and unscrupulous prelates.
such as hourished in the times of Henry VIII.
Elizabeth. and the two stuarts most potent
engine OF desnotic rule and intolerance. Tor
ture, intimidation. and other devices were
used.to pel,self-incrmnation.
Charles L.. through the star chamber. filed
h his Golfers During his reign such enormous
audience athered about the court room at
o'clock in the morning 10 secure seats to hear
the court in the way of punishment made it q
means, of cruel Injustice IN the hands of bad
Of its administra ton during tho regns Of
lanes I. and Charles l.
Sir Anthony Roper was fined ca, 900 for yio-
for converting arabic land into pasture. Rich
ard Grenvio M lie, sad idiot Of The Ear! Of suffolk with
base lord" He was fped $4,000 for such
n slandcr.
of Bishop Williams. who had been lord keeper
Of the seal, popular ,prelate. and a man Of
S1F%"s S' OF Wins snoyns jmH hs hReG5%.
troneage he exerted his influence in Behalf OF
first promotion to his good offices. Some dis
would shtlSIS ihuu but inc ruin or the man
On some slight pretext the Bishop was
brought bcfoFe The star chamber and fined
100000, committed TO the Tower during the
Kings pleasure, and suspended from Office.
Ills furniture and books were levied upon to
pay the fine. Among some refuse papers were
found somo letters from Obaldiston. school-
master, directed 70 the Bshop; In these let
and In one place of u little urchin." AS Laud
was small OF stature it was caoniectured that
these terms referred to him They We're both
tried, one for receiving such scanaalous let
ters. and the other for writing them. Will
lilms paid 4 line of $4,000. and Uhaldistnn
"a 900, and had his ears nailed TO the pillory
Irynne, IA barrister at law of Lincoln's Inn.
a Puritan Of tho strictest sect, published his
famous ,Iistrlo. Mas'iX.' huge volume of
music, dancing. public festivals, Christmas
sports. bontircs, and May poles. For this al.
legged libell"ns yol'ln"" he was arraiRned before
days, and the fourth was consumed in pro-
uouncing sentence against him.
Mr.. prynne, in his general sweep for his his
toricn lilustra.@n Of 'He mischief OF frequent
Niis and Others HhO CousI irei against him
fo' his bad example upon the magistrates and
the people. the Chief Justice from this in
ferred that the author Intended TO instigate
the people 10 murder the King, and Prynne
was deprived OF his right OF practice as n bar
rister, condemned 10 stand in tho pillory at
one at each OF thcee places, To pay ine OF
e5 900, and 20 he imprisoned for life.
There was hardly n man in the realm who
and greediness Of the star chamber ii be-
came Odious and not without reason. II Was
abolisL ed IN 1911. as one OF the acts of con.
cession made by Charles !. to the demands 0t
an Indignant nation, rrynne and his fellow
martyrs were recalled from Irison. They en-
tered London in triumph amid the shouts OF
the multitude, who threw lauTels in their path