‘A Popish priest is a certain seducer’:1 Catholics and Anti-Catholicism

This chapter discusses the activities of Parliament in relation to Catholics during the first few months following the plot revelations. One section looks at the representations of Catholics and Catholicism in pamphlet discourse. Many tropes of anti-Catholicism during the late seventeenth century that impacted upon the credibility of Oates' Popish Plot are taken into account. The importance of the representation of Catholics and Catholicism and how this representation could work to stimulate and sustain belief in the Popish Plot are discussed.

Introduction

This introductory chapter discusses the ‘horrid Popish Plot’, which was an alleged Catholic conspiracy to assassinate King Charles II. This was done to effect an armed foreign invasion and a domestic uprising, as well as to reintroduce the Catholic faith into England. The chapter also includes a brief overview of the following chapters.

Conclusion

This concluding chapter discusses the realizations and attempts that were made in the previous chapters. It focuses on Roger L'Estrange, who was preoccupied with authority and used metaphors to describe disguise and opacity. He was a prolific writer of pamphlets and periodicals, and was also fully alive to the manipulations and distortions of political discourse. Roger L'Estrange is also shown to have professed moderation, but he was found to be frequently guilty of zeal and running to extremes. The representation of Catholics is revealed to have been crucial for the credit of the plot.

‘Have a Care of perverted Authorities’:1 Parliament, Partisanship, and the Earl of Shaftesbury

This chapter discusses and addresses two main concerns. It starts by examining the controversy that surrounded the moving of Parliament from Westminster to Oxford in March 1681. It analyses the pamphlet discourse that circulated before and after it met, and considers the powerful strategy of invoking historical precedents in polemical debate. Finally, it looks at some representations of Antony Ashley Cooper, who was the Earl of Shaftesbury.

‘A Few Words among Many, about the Touchy Point of Succession’:1 The Duke of York and the Exclusion Crisis

This chapter focuses on the Duke of York and the crisis over the succession, which was precipitated in part by Oates' allegations. It sets concerns over a potential Catholic successor in several contexts, such as analysing the rhetoric of debate both in Parliament and on the printed page, and placing the succession issue in context of the Duke's periods of exile between 1679 and 1682.

‘The Subduing of a Pestilent Heresy’:1 Edward Coleman’s Letters

This chapter discusses Edward Coleman, who was the first man to be tried and executed based on the testimony of Oates, as well as a set of events and debates that were related to him. It considers his controversial correspondence with the members of the French Court during the early to mid-1670s, as well as the parliamentary debate over whether his letters should be printed or not. Coleman's trial, execution, and the discourse surrounding his death are also examined.

‘[T]aking up Plots upon Trust’:1 Titus Oates, Roger L’Estrange, and Popular Polemic

This chapter discusses an introduction to Titus Oates and Roger L'Estrange. It provides contexts for their behaviour and actions in the 1670s and 1680s. The author uses L'Estrange as an observer and critic of the times through which he lived, as well as a narrative anchor to some degree. This helps in making sense of the comment on the political events during the period. Political satire during this period is also discussed.

‘[W]ill you have your Throats cut ere you will believe?’:1 Popish Plot(s)

This chapter discusses an outline of the key but controversial details of the Popish Plot. It studies particular misreports and misrepresentations of these details, whether unwitting or otherwise. The different media of communication used to disseminate plot information is studied, and specific examples of each media are provided. The Popish Plot ‘Narratives’ and the ‘Pope-burning processions’ are also discussed.

‘Tis the Press that has made ‘um Mad’:1 Publishing the Popish Plot and Exclusion Crisis

This chapter discusses the means for circulating political discourse. The discussion centres on the physical design of books, the practice and material spaces of reading, the potential impact of the spoken word, and the circulation of print and manuscript. The interpenetration of these forms of discourse is considered to be important in understanding the Popish Plot and the ensuing political crisis.

‘After-Birth-Inscriptions’:1 Historical Disputes and the Great Fire of London

This chapter discusses the close association of Catholics with fire and the firing of cities. It looks particularly at the resonant memory of the 1666 Great Fire. The chapter considers the Monument that was erected to commemorate this disaster, and also studies the controversial inscriptions that were added to its base by London's Common Council in 1681.