Star Chamber

Defined in 6 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Anderson (1889), Stimson (1881), Bouvier (1839)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

See "Court of Star Chamber."

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

See Court of star-chamber.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

Was a court which originally had jurisdiction in cases where the ordinary course of justice was so much obstructed by one party, through writs, combination of maintenance or overawing influence that no inferior court would find its process obeyed. The court consisted of the privy council, the common-law judges, and (it seems) all peers of parliament. In the reign of Henry VIII. and his successors, the jurisdiction of the court was illegally extended to such a degree (especially in punishing disobedience to the king's arbitrary proclamations) that it bscame odious to the nation, and was abolished. 4 Steph. Comm. 310; Sweet.

A Dictionary of Law

William C. Anderson · 1889

The room or chamber in which were originally kept the chests containing starra or starrs (Heb. shetelr): the contracts or covenants of the Jews; no starr being valid unless deposited in the legal repository.'' After the Jews were expelled from England the starr-chamber was used by the king's council sitting in their judicial capacity. Later, the room was desigziated as the camera-stellaia.* Court of star-cliamber. An ancient English court, remodeled by 3 Hen. YII (1488), and 21 Hen. Vm (1530). The court repressed the turbulence of the nobility and gentry in the provinces, and supplied a court for matters which, being of novel origin, were unprovided for by the existing tribunals; such as riots, per.iury, misbehavior of sheriffs, and offenses against proclamations in ecclesiastical matters. The court enhanced the royal authority by supplying it with speedy and effective machinery. It acted without the assistance of a jury. The abuses to which its processes were liable led to its abolition in 1640, by 16 Char. I, c. 10.'

Glossary of Technical Terms, Phrases, and Maxims of the Common Law

Frederic Jesup Stimson · 1881

v. Court, 44. is necessary to ground an: an extra session of the purposes, usually under seal. thing done. titles. Specific Peras made, which can only hope of surriving. Spe of recovering. Christian, v. Court, 79. as bishop; his ecclesiasdisseisin. Spoliatns debet dispossessed ought first of all workman engaged for hire] and carrying away of indicating the venue. in contrarium, I. The proved to the contrary. or hounds; one of the in s, forest. having stalls in a market. to stand mute, when, on he made no answer, anhaving pleaded not guilty, v. Paine forte et dare. Statute.

A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States

John Bouvier · 1839

Engl. law. A court which formerly had great jurisdiction and power, but which was abolished by stat. 16 C. 1, c. 10, on account of its usurpations and great unpopularity. It consisted of several of the lords spiritual and temporal, being privy counsellors, together with two judges of the courts of common law, without the intervention of a jury. Their legal jurisdiction extended over riots, perjuries, misbehaviour of public offhcers, and other great misdemeanors. The judges afterwards assumed powers, and stretched those they possessed to the utmost bounds of legality. 4 Bl. Com. 264.