Star'-chamber

(The,) (-cham'bur.) (Eng. Hist.) A court of criminal jurisdiction formerly held at Westminster, and so named from its ceiling being decorated with gilt stars. This court took upon itself to decide upon those cases of offence with regard to which the law was silent, admitting for law the proclamations of the king in council. This court became eventually ar instrument so despotic and unconstitutional in its proceedings, as to bring it into popular odium, and Charles I. was compelled to abolish it by special Act of Parliament. [s. 852]