Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-09-19
THE STAR CHAMBER
CONDENSED HISTORY OF A FAMOUS
SCHEME OF OPPRESSION.
AZ First It's Objects Were Laadabie,
but IL Subsequently became n Cruel
and Unjust Ps,ser-Sone OF rts Out
rageous Penalties.

-" C'St[A~ NNCff LMuunnlCr
but IL Subsequently became n craei
and Unjust Ps,ser-Some OF rts Out
rageou- Penalties.
When the Earl OF Richmond had
defeated Richard III. at Bosworth and
bad been crowned king rs Henry VII,
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 10 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 n 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 were 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 10 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
the time OF Edward l. 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 op-
pressed their neighbors with inpunity
Were brought before this court, where
neither fear nor favor could avail, and
tried for their OGenses. The greatest
merit Of the court was that Il was not
dependent on jury. for juries were
unable or unwilling 10 render q verdict
IN keeping with their consciences.
one said. a court thus constituted.
with powers SO broad and n discretion
unlimited 10y prescribed rules. though
called into existence for wise and salu-
tary purposes. was in the end like in
vOking the spirit Of mischief without
a corresponding power in reserve 10
lay il or check its excuses IL inclined
70 abuse its authority"
Instead of losing power as the neces-
sity for its existence passed away IL
drew 10 itself new elements Of strength
aud enlarged the extent OF its jurisdic.
ton. Ii became. after successive al.
ministradons under the hands OF am
bilious leaders such as fourished in
the time OF Henry VIII. Elizabeth and
tho S~nrr-~a -
OF deSpOtic rule and Intolerance. Tor
ture. intimidation and other devices
were used 10 compel the accused TO in
criminatc himself
Charles I. through the star chamber.
filled his c0Ee-s. During his reign such
enormous fines were imposed for triv-
ial ofenses that the audience gathered
about the courtroom at , o'clock in the
morning 10 secure seats to hear the
proceedings. The discretionary power
OF the court I'm the way OF punishment
made it a means Of cruel injustice In
the hands OF bad men. instances OF
which disgrace the history OF its ad-
ministration during the reigns OF
James /. and Charles I.
One OF the most remarkable cases
was that OF Bishop Williams, who had
been lord keeper Of the seal. n popular
prelate and a man OF learning and
spirit and at one time n 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 or the man who
had befrlended him.
On some slight pretext the bishop
was brought before the star chamber
and fined 10000, committed to the
Tower during the kings pleasure and
suspended from Office. His furniture
and books were levied upon TO pay the
fine. Among some refuse papers were
found some letters from Obaldiston. q
schoOlmaster, directed to the bishop. In
these letters the writer spoke Of a
little great man" and in one place OF
little urchin." As Laud was small
OF stature, IL was cOnjectured that
these terms referred to him. They
were both tried, one for receiving such
nNAAAN0AO0S lCAACAS anu llG OllGE lQE
writing them. Williams paid a fine OF
$4,000 and Obaldiston $1,000, and he
had his ears nailed to the pillory.
Prynne. a barrister at law, OF Lin
coins Inn, a Puritan OF the strictest
sect, published his famous "Histrlo
Mastix," huge volume OF 1000 quarto
pages. aimed at stage plays music
dancing public festivals, Christmas
sports. bOnfires and maypoles. For this
alleged libelous volume he was arraign-
ed before the star chamber.
Mr.. Prynne. in his general sweep for
his historical Illustration OF the mis-
chief OF frequenting plays, referred to
Nero and spoke OF Elavius and others
who cOnspired against him for his bad
example upon the magistrates and the
people. The chief justice from this in
ferred that the author intended to in
stigate the people to murder the king.
and Prynne was deprived OF his right
OF practice as n barrister, condemned
TO stand In the pillory at Westminster
and Cheapside, to lose his ears, one at
each 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
harshness and greediness of the star
chamber. Ii became odious, and not
without reason II was abolished In
1641 as one Of the acts Of concession
made by Charles /. to the demands OF
an indignant nation. PPynne and his
fellow martyrs were recalled from
prison. They entered London in tr.
umph amid the shouts Of the multitude,
who threw laurels In their path.