The labyrinthine nature of the intrigues connected with the Popish Plot is amply illustrated by these two trials. The third case presents less intricacy, but no less dishonesty. In January 1680 John Tasborough and Anne Price were tried for subornation of perjury in having offered a bribe to the informer Dugdale to retract the evidence which he had given at the trial of Whitebread, Harcourt, and Fenwick. Mrs. Price had been a fellow-servant with Dugdale in the household of the Roman Catholic peer, Lord Aston. On the night before the trial of the five Jesuits[667] she came to him and begged him not to give evidence against Father Harcourt, who was her confessor. When the trial was over she renewed her solicitations, offering him the reward of £1000 and the Duke of York’s protection if he would recant what he had then sworn. Dugdale was introduced to Tasborough, a gentleman belonging to the duke’s household.[668] Meetings were held at the Green Lettice Tavern in Brownlow Street and at the Pheasant Inn in Fullers-rents. Tasborough confirmed the promises made by Mrs. Price. The informer was to sign a declaration that all his evidence had been false, to receive £1000 in cash, and to be maintained abroad by the Duke of York. The name of the Spanish ambassador was also mentioned. But Dugdale, as Bedloe before him, had secreted witnesses at these interviews. The intriguers were arrested, and the whole story was proved beyond the possibility of doubt at their trial.[669] Tasborough was sentenced to the fine of £100, Price to the fine of twice that sum. All parties at the trial were at considerable pains to exonerate the Duke of York. There was in fact no direct evidence against him; but it is improbable that the culprits had been using his name entirely without authority. They must have known that Dugdale would not put his name to the recantation without substantial guarantee for the reward, and certainly neither was in a position to pay any sufficient part of the sum mentioned from his own resources.