Only one other case demands attention in this review of the trials for the Popish Plot. The trial of Elizabeth Cellier for high treason belongs rather to the history of the Meal Tub Plot; those of Sir Thomas Gascoigne, Sir Miles Stapleton, Thwing, and Pressicks to the provincial history of the Plot; that of Archbishop Plunket to its history in Ireland. The acquittal of Lord Castlemaine is chiefly important as an episode in the infamous career of Dangerfield, the informer. The proceedings against Fitzharris belong rather to the history of Whig conspiracy against the crown, the transition to which they mark.[727] But the trial of Lord Stafford calls for more lengthy notice. It was the last of the treason trials for the main Popish Plot, and ranks in importance with the weightiest of those which went before. More than two years had now elapsed since the beginning of the ferment caused by the Plot. During that time it had exercised a magic over men’s minds. This influence was now suffering a decline. The acquittals of Wakeman, Lord Castlemaine, and Sir Thomas Gascoigne had wrought the mob to fury against the court and the Roman Catholics, but they had also sown doubts in the judgment of intelligent persons as to the credit of the informers and the truth of the facts to which they swore. At the end of the year 1680 it was doubtful, said Sir John Reresby, “whether there were more who believed there was any plot by the papists against the king’s life than not.”[728] The situation of the Whig party was critical. Their violent espousal of the Plot and the concentration of all their efforts upon the propagation of ultra-Protestant designs had brought about the result that, should the Plot be discredited before they had gained their object in excluding the Duke of York from the succession to the throne, their power would vanish into thin air. To stave off a day of such evil and to re-establish on its former firm footing the general belief in “the bloody designs of papists,” the trial of Giles for the bogus attempt on Captain Arnold’s life had been undertaken.[729] With the same object Lord Stafford was brought to trial. His imprisonment had already lasted for two years and two months.[730] He was now brought to the bar in preference to any of the other four noblemen who had been imprisoned with him because, as was believed at court, his advanced age and bodily infirmity rendered him a more easy prey to the rancour of the House of Commons.[731] On all sides the case was regarded as of the utmost importance. If the prisoner were condemned the Whigs would gain a great advantage. If he were acquitted, the prosecution of the Plot, which was their sole weapon, would suffer a disastrous check.[732]