<P> The Court was used extensively to control Wales, after the Laws in Wales Acts 1535--1542 (sometimes referred to as the "Acts of Union"). The Tudor - era gentry in Wales turned to the Chamber to evict Welsh landowners and protect themselves, and in general protect the English advantages of the Laws in Wales Acts . </P> <P> One of the weapons of the Star Chamber was the ex officio oath where, because of their positions, individuals were forced to swear to answer truthfully all questions that might be asked . Faced by hostile questioning, this then gave them the "cruel trilemma" of having to incriminate themselves, face charges of perjury if they gave unsatisfactory answers to their accusers, or be held in contempt of court if they gave no answer . </P> <P> The power of the Court of Star Chamber grew considerably under the House of Stuart, and by the time of King Charles I, it had become synonymous with misuse and abuse of power by the King and his circle . King James I and his son Charles used the court to examine cases of sedition, which meant that the court could be used to suppress opposition to royal policies . It came to be used to try nobles too powerful to be brought to trial in the lower court . </P> <P> King Charles I used the Court of Star Chamber as Parliamentary substitute during the eleven years of Personal Rule, when he ruled without a Parliament . King Charles made extensive use of the Court of Star Chamber to prosecute dissenters, including the Puritans who fled to New England . This was also one of the causes of the English Civil War . </P>

In the early 1600s what crime was used extensively by the english court of the star chamber