The Court of Star Chamber

The Court of star Chamber in the last decade of the reign of Elizabeth had great prominence in the life of Tudor England. It was an efficient model or a typical Tudor institution, yet its uniqueness was recognized as early as the 1570\u27s by Sir Thomas Smith. In later years, it abused its power and became a symbol of Stuart tyranny, but, during this period, it was a necessary and a respected body. A distinction should be made between the Star Chamber and the Privy Council. Besides the slight difference in its membership, the star Chamber was an exclusively judicial body which sat only at certain times and in public. Although it is difficult to date the separation of these two bodies, Tanner suggested tbe year 1570, stating that it became more complete in later years