It is only as a mark of the deep gratitude I bear him that I have ventured to dedicate this book to the memory of the illustrious man whose death has deprived it of its sternest critic. Few can know so well as myself how far its attainment falls short of the standard which he set up. With that standard before me I can justify myself only by the thought that I have tried to follow strictly the injunction: Nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice. J. P. TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, 1903. CONTENTS PAGE TABLE OF SOME EVENTS OCCURRING IN THE HISTORY OF THE POPISH PLOT xiii I. DESIGNS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLICS CHAPTER I TITUS OATES 3 CHAPTER II THE NATURE OF THE DESIGNS 15 CHAPTER III OATES AGAIN 70 II. SIR EDMUND BERRY GODFREY CHAPTER I GODFREY 83 CHAPTER II BEDLOE AND ATKINS 106 CHAPTER III BEDLOE AND PRANCE 117 CHAPTER IV PRANCE AND BEDLOE 132 CHAPTER V THE SECRET 149 III. POLITICS OF THE PLOT CHAPTER I THE GOVERNMENT 169 CHAPTER II THE CATHOLICS 196 CHAPTER III SHAFTESBURY AND CHARLES 222 IV. TRIALS FOR TREASON CHAPTER I MAGISTRATES AND JUDGES 265 CHAPTER II CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 288 CHAPTER III TRIALS FOR THE PLOT 304 APPENDICES APPENDIX A 375 APPENDIX B 382 APPENDIX C 390 APPENDIX D 394 APPENDIX E 400 MATERIALS FOR THE HISTORY OF THE POPISH PLOT 405