NOTES.
[1.] chambre of stars. The Star Chamber, a court of civil and criminal jurisdiction for the punishment of offences for which the law made no provision. It was so called because the ceiling of the room in which it was held was decorated with gilt stars.
[2.] alleluya. In allusion to the pomp with which Wolsey celebrated divine service.
[3.] Philargyria. Love of money; covetousness.
[4.] Simonia. Simony; buying and selling church livings.
[5.] Castamergia. Gluttony. Greek kastrimargia. A not uncommon word among the monks of the Middle Ages, one of whose prayers was, "From the spirit of castrimargia, O Lord, deliver us!"
[6.] ipocras. Hippocras, or spiced wine, a drink formerly very popular in England. It was made by mixing Canary and Lisbon wines, in equal parts, with various kinds of sweet spices, and allowing the whole to stand for a few days, after which the wine was poured off and sweetened with sugar.
[7.] postel. Apostle—here ironically applied to Wolsey.
