Cocking a snook at Star Chamber
The Court of Star
Chamber
became notorious both for its use of royal power to override the rights
of citizens under the common law
and for the brutality of its punishments. In this case the defendant's
previous convictions are cited as the first part of the evidence against
him, and his punishments involve public humiliation. It is soon clear,
however, that the defendant, Edward Colemore, is using and abusing
his knowledge of the common law to enrich himself at the expense of
his poorer neighbours, who see Star Chamber as protector of their
interests against him. Colemore has also been crafty or powerful enough
to successfully evade his punishments.Catalogue reference: STAC 8/149/1 (7 February 1615) |
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