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Simple English definitions for legal terms
Court of High Commission
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A quick definition of Court of High Commission:
The Court of High Commission was a religious court responsible for investigating and punishing people who committed religious offenses, such as not attending church or holding heretical beliefs. It was also used to enforce laws that gave the King power over the Church of England. However, the court's broad powers and use of unfair procedures led to opposition and it was eventually abolished in 1641. The court's purpose was to maintain order in the Church, but it was often used to punish people for non-religious offenses.
A more thorough explanation:
The Court of High Commission was a tribunal responsible for investigating religious offenses such as holding heretical opinions and absence from church. It functioned as a court and prosecuted violations of the Acts of Supremacy and Uniformity (1559), which gave the Crown supreme power over the Church of England.
The Commission had broad powers and used civil-law procedures in ways that went against common law, such as compelling suspects to testify against themselves. This led to opposition to its existence. Its close relationship with the Court of Star Chamber hastened its demise (along with the Star Chamber) in 1641.
For example, the Court of High Commission could fine and imprison individuals for not attending church or for holding beliefs that were deemed heretical. These powers were often used beyond the degree of the offense itself and frequently over offenses that were not of spiritual cognizance.
The Court of High Commission was abolished by Statute 16 Car. I, c. 11, and any attempt to revive it was deemed weak and illegal. King James II's attempt to revive it during his reign only served to hasten his downfall.