The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-05-18
.THE STAR CHAMBER
CONDENSED HISTORY OF a FAMOUS
SCHEME or OPPRESSION.

defeated Richard III at BOswOrth ana
had been crowned king as Henry VII.
be found the times III So troubled Q
state that men whose rights were in
fringed upon OF denied them dared not
apply for justice to the ordinary courts.
The unblushing manner Ia which
bribes and threats were resOrted to by
those that had influence over the pro
ceedings Of these courts denied to them
the security Of a jurors oath.
To reach a mischief that had grown
50 intolerabIe Henry, feeling himself
strong enough with his second parlia-
ment created 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 confded
unlimited power and discretion over a
large, underlined class Of offenses, many
of which were Of 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
the time Of Edward |. 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 offenses The greatest
merit Of the court was that it was not
dependent on a jury, for juries were
\ unable or unwilling to render verdict
In keeping with their consciences.
One said, "a court thus constituted,
with powers so broad and a discretion
unlimited by prescribed rules, though
called into existence for wise and salu-
tary purposes, was IA the end like in
voking the spirit Of mischief without
a corresponding power in reserve to
lay It or check its excesses If inclined
to abuse its authority"
Instead Of losing power as the Aeces-
sity for its existence passed away It
drew to itself new elements Of strength
and enlarged the extent Of its jurisdic-
ton. 1t became, after successive ad-
ministrations under the hands OF am
bilious leaders such as hourished In
the time Of Henry VIII, Elizabeth and
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
crimlnate himself
Charles l., through the star chamber
filed his Golfers. During his reign sucE
enormous fines were imposed for triv
IaI offenses that the audience gathered
: about the courtroom at o'clock In tl'
morning to secure seats to hear th'
proceedings. The discretionary powe
Of the court In the way Of punishmen
made 1t q means of cruel injustice il
the hands Of bad men, instances o
, which disgrace the history Of its ad
ministration during the reigns o
James l. and Charles |.
One Of the most remarkable case
was that Of Bishop Williams, who ha'
been lord keeper of the seal, popula
prelate and a man Of learning an
I spirit and at one time special favor
< ite Of James. While enjoying his pal
ronage he exerted his influence In be
half Of Laud, afterward archbishop
: who owed his first promotion to hi
!. good Offices. Some disagreement aros
y between them. Nothing would satisf
; Laud but the ruin Of the man VIII
+ had befriended him.
> On some slight pretext the blsho
: was brought before the star chambt
i and fined 10000 committed to th
: Tower during the kings pleasure an
& suspended from Office His furnituI
7 and books were levied upon to pay Il
u nne. Among some refuse papers WEI
found some letters from Obaldiston,
schoolmaster directed to the bishop.
these letters the writer spoke OF
Is ''little great man" and in one place {
.e q "little urchin" AS Laud was sma
Of stature, It was conjectured tn;
le these terms referred to him. The
t were both tried, one for receiving SUE
IS scandalous letters and the other fl
writing them. Williams paid fine
ID $4,000 and 0baldiston $4,000, and
had his ears nailed to the pillory.
e Prynne, a barrister at law, Of Ii
lg coins Inn, Puritan of the stricte
IN sect, published his famous "Histr
Mastlx," huge volume Of 1000 quar-
pages, aimed at stage plays, mus
dancing, public festivals, Chrlstm
ls sports, bonfres and maypoles. For II
IS alleged libelous volume he was arraig
ed before the star chamber.
n Mr.. Prynne. In his general sweep {
his historical Illustration Of the m
lie CHIEF of frequenting plays. referred
be Nero and spoke Of Flayius and othe
ne who conspired against him for bis b
to example upon the magistrates and I
people The chief justice from this
ferred that the author intended to
stigate the people to murder the XIII
SD and Prynne was deprived Of his rif
q Of practice as a barsIster, condemn
a 20 stand In the pillory at Westmins
nd and Cheapside. to lose his ears, one
he each Of these places, to pay fine