ABSTRACT By analysing one Star Chamber case from 1610 relating to an allegedly forged bond, this article examines how the gentry used local disputes to defend honour, fashion identity, and enforce authority locally and in central government. The often aggressive prosecution of suits at law was designed to send out a strong message not just to those involved but also to fellow élites about ambition, reputation, and political potency. This article explores these themes through litigation pertaining to Sir John Digby, afterwards Earl of Bristol, an ambitious younger son who rose to become one of James I’s chief advisers. The article argues that beyond the protection of his assets, Digby’s management of the case comprised three main aims: to fashion a political image at court; to assert his authority as a newcomer in the localities; and to establish a patriarchal stance within his household following his marriage to a propertied widow who was older than himself. It also demonstrates how legal records can supplement other research materials to build a fuller understanding of how individuals responded under duress and manipulated the ‘public’ and ‘private’ spheres to build power.

中文翻译：

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从私人罪恶到公众耻辱：约翰·迪格比爵士和北安普敦郡和贝德福德郡星室的使用，1610 年

摘要 通过分析 1610 年发生的一起涉嫌伪造债券的 Star Chamber 案件，本文考察了士绅如何利用地方纠纷来捍卫荣誉、时尚身份以及在地方和中央政府中执行权威。在法律诉讼中经常采取激进的诉讼方式，旨在向相关人员和精英同胞发出关于野心、声誉和政治影响力的强烈信息。本文通过与约翰·迪格比爵士（之后是布里斯托尔伯爵）有关的诉讼来探讨这些主题，后者是一个雄心勃勃的小儿子，后来成为詹姆斯一世的首席顾问之一。文章认为，除了保护他的资产之外，迪格比对案件的管理包括三个主要目标：在法庭上塑造政治形象；在当地维护他作为新人的权威；并在他与一个比他年长的有产寡妇结婚后在他的家庭中建立一种重男轻女的立场。它还展示了法律记录如何补充其他研究材料，以更全面地了解个人如何在胁迫下做出反应并操纵“公共”和“私人”领域以建立权力。