Legal Definitions - Court of High Commission

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.