Chambre Ardente

Chambre Ardente, in French history originally a room draped with black and lighted by many torches (whence the name), where state criminals of high position were tried. Afterwards the name came to be applied to "special commission" courts, instituted for the trial of particular offenders! Francis I. established such a court for the trial of Protestants in 1535. It lasted for twenty-five years. Another was instituted in 1680 to try suspected poisoners in consequence of the alarm aroused by the murders committed by the Marquise de Brinvilliers, and another in 1716, which was abolished in the next year, to try farmers of the revenue for alleged frauds.