The New Student's Reference Work/Star-Chamber

Star-Cham′ber, a court which met in the council-chamber of the palace of Westminster. The roof of the room was decorated with gilt stars, which are supposed to have given the court its name. It was founded or restored in 1487 by Henry VII to assist in bringing to justice the great landowners and nobles. It was independent of a jury, who were too often afraid of the nobility, and could inflict any punishment but death. The trial was conducted by written questions, unless the accused chose to confess. This confession became such an abuse, torture being used to extort it, that in 1641 the court was abolished.