STAR

j CHAMBER, COURT OF, Eng. judicial body (XV.-XVII.. cent’s) formed by statue 3 Hen. VII. from King’s council; named from meeting place, a chamber decorated with gilt stars in Westminster Palace; members were chancellor, treasurer, keeper of privy seal, chief justices, one ecclesiastical and one lay lord; famed at first for bie Sea but rae instrument of g’s arbitrary will; abused b: 1.; abolished, 1641. Peto