The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-09-24
THE STAR CHAMBER
CONDENSED HISTORY OF A FAMOUS
SCHEME OF OPPRESSION.
At First It's Objects Were Laudable
but 1t subsequently Became n Cruel
and Unjust Power-SOme of It's Out
ra1eOus Penalties.


he found the times in SO troubled a
state that men whose rights were in
fringed upon or denied them dared not
apply for justice to the ordinary courts.
The unblushing manner in which
brides and threats were resorted to by
those that had influence over the pro-
ceedings of these courts denied to them
the security of jurors oath.
To reach a mischief that had grown
SO intolerable Henry, feeling himself
strong enough with his second parlia-
ment, created a court made up of
the highest officers of the kingdom,
embracing, Theoretically the king him.
self, who was considered the author
of all justice, to which We're confided
unlimited power and discretion over a
large, underlined class of offenses, many
of which were of a political character,
without the restraint of a jury and
subject to no revision by appeal.
This was afterward known as the
court of the star chamber, so called
because the ceiling of the room in
which it met was studded with stars
or because in this apartment prior to
tie time of Edward 1. the contracts
of the Jews, called STAIRS, were de-
posted in boxes or chests.
This scheme had good results at first
Wealthy landowners who had OPP
pressed their neighbors with inpunity
were brought before this court, where
neither fear nor favor could avail, and
tried for their offenses. The greatest
merit of the court was that it was not
dependent on jury, for juries We're
unable or unwilling to render verdict
In keeping with their consciences.
One said, "a court thus constituted,
with powers so broad and discretion
unlimited by prescribed rules, though
called into existence for wise and salu-
tary purposes, was in the end like in
voking the spirit of mischief without
corresponding power in reserve to
lay it or check its excuses if inclined
to abuse its authority"
Instead of losing power as the neces-
sity for its existence passed away it
drew to itself new elements of strength
and enlarged the extent of it's jurisdic-
ton. 1t became, after successive adj
ministrationS under the hands of am
bilious leaders such as fourished in
the two Stuarts, most potent engine
OF despotic rule and intolerance. Tor
ture, intimidation and other devices
were used to compel the accused to in
criminate himself.
Charles l., through the star chamber,
filed his Golfers. During his reign such
enormous fines were imposed for triv
ial offenses that the audience gathered
about the courtroom at o'clock in the
to secure seats to hear the
The discretionary power
of the court in the way of punishment
made it a means of cruel injustice in
the hands of bad men, instances of
which disgrace the history of it's ad-
during the reigns Of
James l. and Charles I.
One of the most remarkable cases
was that of Bishop Williams, who had
been lord keeper of the seal, popular
prelate and a man of learning and
spirit and at one time a special favor
lite of James. While enjoying his pat
ronage he eXerted his influence in be-
half of Laud, afterward archbishop,
who owed his first promotion to his
good offices. Some disagreement arose
between them. Nothing would satisfy
Laud but the ruin of the man who
had befriended him.
On some slight pretext the bishop
was brought before the star chamber
and fined 100000, committed to the
Tower during the kings pleasure and
from office. His furniture
and books We're levied upon to pay the
fine. Among some refuse papers were
found some letters from Obaldiston, a
directed to the bishop. In |
these letters the writer spoke of a |
little great man" and in one place of |
I ''little urchin." As Laud was small |
Of stature, it was conjectured that |
these terms referred to him. They |
we're both tried, one for receiving such |
letters and the other for |
writing them. Williams paid a fine Of |
$4,000 and Obaldiston $4,000, and he |
lad his ears nailed to the pillory.
Prynne, a barrister at law, of Lin |
,oln's Inn, a Puritan of the strictest |
sect, published his famous ''Histrio /
Nastix,' a huge volume of 1000 quarto
lancing, public festivals, Christmas |
polliIOS anu pOitS VI ILLS
alleged libelouS volume he was arraign- |
d before the star chamber.
Mr.. Prynne. in his general sweep for |
lis historical illustration of the mis-
.hief of freGuenting plays. referred to
Nero and spoke of Flavius and others |
who conspired against him for his bad |
Example upon the magistrates and the
people. The chief justice from this in
erred that the author intended to in
tigate the people 10 murder the king. /
md Prynne was deprived of his right |
Il practice as a barrister, condemned
o stand in the pillory at Westminster
md Cheapside. to lose his ears, one at
'ach of these places, TO pay fine of /
5000 and to be imprisoned for life.
There was hardly a man in the realm
Who had not personal experience of the
larshness and greediness of the star
hamber. 1t became odious and not |
Without reason. 1t was abolished in |
641 as one of the acts OF concession /
made by Charles /. to the demands of |
n indignant nation. Prynne and his |
elbow martyrs were recalled from
'rison. They entered London in tri-