02358cam a22003013u 450000100060000000300070000600500170001300600020003000700050003200800410003704000110007804100170008905000070010610000440011324500540015726400510021130000470026233600260030933700260033533800360036150000310039750801110042852013500053953400450188965300620193485600430199699900170203912396UtSlPG20260610133308.0mcr n260607r2004||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d  aUtSlPG 7aen2iso639-1 4aPR1 aAinsworth, William Harrison,d1805-188214aThe Star-Chamber: An Historical Romance, Volume 1 1aSalt Lake City, UT :bProject Gutenberg,c2004  a1 online resource :bmultiple file formats  atextbtxt2rdacontent  acomputerbc2rdamedia  aonline resourcebcr2rdacarrier  aRelease date is 2004-05-01  aEtext produced by Charles Franks and the Distributed Proofreaders Team

HTML file produced by David Widger  a"The Star-Chamber: An Historical Romance, Volume 1" by William Harrison Ainsworth is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. Set in early 17th century England, it delves into the oppressive atmosphere of the Star-Chamber court, a symbol of tyranny and injustice during that era. The story introduces key characters, such as the charming Madame Bonaventure, a tavern owner, and the sinister figures Sir Giles Mompesson and Sir Francis Mitchell, who embody the corrupt system that exploits the vulnerable.  At the start of the novel, we are welcomed into the bustling world of the Three Cranes tavern, managed by the captivating Madame Bonaventure, who is known for her excellent wine and delightful dining experience. However, her establishment is threatened by the unscrupulous usurers Mompesson and Mitchell, who hold an ominous power over taverns through royal patents. The chapter highlights the growing tension between the tavern's hosts and the powerful extortionists, setting the stage for impending conflict as burgeoning societal injustices become evident in the interactions and struggles among the characters. The opening sets a richly detailed backdrop of a historical yet vividly imaginative world, promising readers a tale filled with drama, intrigue, and potential revenge. (This is an automatically generated summary.)  nOriginal publication data not identified  aGreat Britain -- History -- James I, 1603-1625 -- Fiction40uhttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12396  c53814d53814