. Charles
began his reign with repressive measures against the Puritan
influences. His use of the Star-chamber and similar tribunals
is an important subject of study in connection with the
preliminary steps on both sides which led at last to the great
civil war.

From the first, Charles aimed at despotic power, which he was
wont to seek in "dark and crooked ways." The House of Commons
stood against him on the popular side. He dissolved his first
Parliament and levied taxes by his own will; dissolved another
Parliament, and did the same, adding other acts of usurpation
and oppression. His third Parliament showed increased
opposition to his methods, and accordingly he decided to change
them. The Parliament passed (1628) the Petition of Right, the
second English Magna Charta, and Charles ratified it. By this
act the King was bound to raise no more moneys without consent
of Parliament, not to imprison anyone contrary to law, not to
billet the military in private houses, and to subject none to
martial law. From 1629 to 1640 Charles governed without a
parliament, replenishing his exchequer by various extraordinary
means.

In the following accounts of the previous workings of the
Star-chamber, Charles' star-chamber methods, his illegal
procedures, his violations of the Petition of Rights, and of
the consequent changes in the relations of his person and
government to the people, a very significant period of
transition in English history is summarized by the ablest
hands.

HENRY HALLAM

The levies of tonnage and poundage without authority of Parliament; the
exaction of monopolies; the extension of the forests; the arbitrary
restraints of proclamations; above all, the general exaction of
ship-money, form the principal articles of charge against the
government of Charles, so far as relates to its inroads on the subject's
property. These were maintained by a vigilant and unsparing exercise of
jurisdiction in the Court of Star-chamber. It was the great weapon of
executive power under Elizabeth and James; nor can we reproach the
present reign with innovation in this respect, though in no former
period had the proceedings of this court been accompanied with so much
violence and tyranny. But this will require some fuller explication.

I hardly need remind the reader that the jurisdiction of th