England and Wales. Court of Star Chamber

Prynne published a pamphlet, Histriomastix (1632) in which he denounced female actors, at the same time Queen Henrietta Maria was participating in a court masque. This was considered an attack on the crown and he was found guilty of sedition, sentenced to have his ears cut off, fined £5000, and sentenced to life imprisonment.

From the description of Proceedings in the Starr Chamber against Mr. Prinne of Lincolnes Inn : for writing a book intituled Histrio Mastix : manuscript, 1635. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 612886367

Richard Chambers (1588?-1658) was an East India merchant who opposed the extra-Parliamentary tonnage and poundage levy of 1628, and was tried and condemned in the Star Chamber for refusing to pay the levy by saying that merchants in Turkey "had more encouragement" than merchants in England. He remained imprisoned for six years, and was imprisoned again in 1637 for refusing to pay ship money. He supported the Parliamentarians in the Civil War and held several offices under them in the 1640s, but lost them and was imprisoned by Parliament briefly in the late 1640s. He died impoverished at Hornsey in 1658.

From the description of Legal documents in the trial of Richard Chambers, [1629?]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702182322

The Star Chamber was a court existing in England from the 15th century until 1641. It exercised wide civil and criminal jurisdiction.

From the description of Court of Star Chamber selected records, 1580-1632 (inclusive), [microform]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122512791