Popish Plot

Popish Plot

  File:Popish Plot.jpg

A contemporary engraving depicting the Popish Plot

The Popish Plot was a fictitious conspiracy that gripped England from 1678 to 1681, during the reign of King Charles II. It was fabricated by Titus Oates, who claimed that there was a Catholic plot to assassinate the king and replace him with his Catholic brother, James, Duke of York. The plot led to widespread anti-Catholic hysteria, numerous trials, and executions.

Background

The political and religious climate of England in the late 17th century was tense. The English Reformation had established Protestantism as the dominant faith, but there remained a significant Catholic minority. The English Civil War and the Restoration of the monarchy had further polarized religious and political factions. King Charles II, though outwardly Protestant, was suspected of having Catholic sympathies, especially given his brother James's open Catholicism.

The Plot

In 1678, Titus Oates, a former Anglican cleric with a dubious past, concocted a story of a Catholic conspiracy. He claimed that the Jesuits and other Catholic factions were planning to murder King Charles II and install his brother James on the throne. Oates's allegations were supported by Israel Tonge, a fervent anti-Catholic clergyman.

Oates's claims were initially dismissed, but the murder of Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey, a magistrate who had been investigating the plot, lent credibility to the accusations. The public, already suspicious of Catholics, was quick to believe the worst.

Impact

The Popish Plot led to a wave of anti-Catholic sentiment across England. Numerous innocent Catholics were arrested, and several were executed. The most notable victims included Oliver Plunkett, the Archbishop of Armagh, who was hanged, drawn, and quartered in 1681.

The hysteria also had significant political ramifications. It led to the Exclusion Crisis, where Parliament attempted to exclude James from the line of succession. This crisis eventually contributed to the formation of the Whig and Tory political parties.

Aftermath

By 1681, the Popish Plot was largely discredited. Oates was arrested and tried for perjury in 1685, after the ascension of James II. He was initially sentenced to life imprisonment but was later released and granted a pension after the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

Legacy

The Popish Plot remains a significant example of the dangers of mass hysteria and the manipulation of public opinion. It highlights the deep-seated religious tensions in England during the 17th century and the impact of political machinations on society.

Also see

• Titus Oates
• Exclusion Crisis
• Glorious Revolution
• English Civil War
• James II of England