Transcriber’s Note
The cover image was created by Thiers Halliwell from elements of the title page and is placed in the public domain.
See the endof this document for details of corrections and other changes.
THE POPISH PLOT
THE
POPISH PLOT
A STUDY IN THE HISTORY OF
THE REIGN OF CHARLES II
BY
JOHN POLLOCK
FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
“Some truth there was, but dashed and brewed with lies.”
Absalom and Achitophel.
“Oh! it was a naughty Court. Yet have we dreamed of it as the periodwhen an English cavalier was grace incarnate; far from the boor now hustlingus in another sphere; beautifully mannered, every gesture dulcet.And if the ladies were ... we will hope they have been traduced. But ifthey were, if they were too tender, ah! gentlemen were gentlemen then—worthperishing for!”—The Egoist.
“Donner pour certain ce qui est certain, pour faux ce qui est faux, pourdouteux ce qui est douteux.”—Mabillon.
LONDON:
DUCKWORTH AND CO.
MCMIII
INSCRIBED TO THE MEMORY OF
LORD ACTON
[vii]
PREFACE
When I first undertook the study of the Popish Plotthe late Lord Acton wrote to me: “There are threequite unravelled mysteries;—what was going on betweenColeman and Père la Chaize; how Oates got hold of thewrong story; and who killed Godfrey.” The followingbook is an attempt to answer these questions and toelucidate points of obscurity connected with them.
In the course of the work I have received much kindhelp from Dr. Jackson and Mr. Stanley Leathes of thiscollege, from the Rev. J. N. Figgis of St. Catharine’sCollege, and from my father; and Mr. C. H. Firth ofAll Souls’ College has been exceedingly generous in givingthe assistance of his invaluable learning and experienceto a novice attacking problems which have been left toolong untouched by those better fitted for the task.
It is only as a mark of the deep gratitude I bear himthat I have ventured to dedicate this book to the memoryof the illustrious man whose death has deprived it of itssternest critic. Few can know so well as myself how farits attainment falls short of the standard which he set up.With that standard before me I can justify my