[37. THE COURT AT WESTMINSTER.]
Star Chamber Court, in which cases were tried before some members of the Privy Council and two judges without a jury. This was established in 1487 to restore order because great lords and landowners used to frighten juries from giving true verdicts.
bear and ragged staff: the arms of the Earl of Warwick consisted of a bear erect and hugging a rough stake. (See pictures on pp. [111], [113].)
arras: tapestry for hanging; so called from Arras, in the north of France, where it was made.
refectory: the hall where the monks or nuns took their meals.
[38. JUSTICE AND PUNISHMENTS.]
executive officers: those whose duty it is to enforce the law.
contrition: repentance.
securities: stocks and shares; papers which can be of no use to the ordinary thief.