Peter Hinds
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780197264430
- eISBN:
- 9780191733994
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197264430.001.0001
- Subject:
- Literature, 17th-century and Restoration Literature
The Popish plot was an alleged Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Charles II and re-introduce the Catholic faith to England. Despite it being a fiction, belief in the plot became widespread and many ...
More
The Popish plot was an alleged Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Charles II and re-introduce the Catholic faith to England. Despite it being a fiction, belief in the plot became widespread and many innocent Catholics were sent to their deaths. Moving away from the focus of recent histories of the plot, which remain predominately in the realms of parliamentary discussion, courts of law and the councils of the King, this volume considers how details of the plot circulated more broadly. It investigates the many media used, primarily print, but also manuscript and word-of-mouth, for instance in books, pamphlets, newspapers, and ballads. The most prolific commentator on the Popish plot was Roger L'Estrange, the press censor during the reigns of Charles II and James II. L'Estrange was interested in the working of the London book trade at this time, and as one who did not believe there was a Popish plot, wrote prolifically in order publicly to cast doubt upon it. L'Estrange's writings provide us with valuable insights into the production, dissemination, and reception of political opinion in this period. Drawing on the insights of literary studies, political history, and the history of the book, reading this volume will further understanding in how belief in such an extraordinary plot took hold amongst so many.Less
The Popish plot was an alleged Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Charles II and re-introduce the Catholic faith to England. Despite it being a fiction, belief in the plot became widespread and many innocent Catholics were sent to their deaths. Moving away from the focus of recent histories of the plot, which remain predominately in the realms of parliamentary discussion, courts of law and the councils of the King, this volume considers how details of the plot circulated more broadly. It investigates the many media used, primarily print, but also manuscript and word-of-mouth, for instance in books, pamphlets, newspapers, and ballads. The most prolific commentator on the Popish plot was Roger L'Estrange, the press censor during the reigns of Charles II and James II. L'Estrange was interested in the working of the London book trade at this time, and as one who did not believe there was a Popish plot, wrote prolifically in order publicly to cast doubt upon it. L'Estrange's writings provide us with valuable insights into the production, dissemination, and reception of political opinion in this period. Drawing on the insights of literary studies, political history, and the history of the book, reading this volume will further understanding in how belief in such an extraordinary plot took hold amongst so many.
Peter Hinds
- Published in print:
- 2010
- Published Online:
- January 2012
- ISBN:
- 9780197264430
- eISBN:
- 9780191733994
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- British Academy
- DOI:
- 10.5871/bacad/9780197264430.003.0001
- Subject:
- Literature, 17th-century and Restoration Literature
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 ...
More
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.Less
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.
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- June 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780853236788
- eISBN:
- 9781846313592
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Liverpool University Press
- DOI:
- 10.5949/liverpool/9780853236788.003.0031
- Subject:
- Literature, Poetry
This chapter considers Oxford's alleged involvement in Catholic affairs. In a dispatch dated 11 January 1581, French ambassador Mauvissière recalled that Oxford became deeply involved in pro–Catholic ...
More
This chapter considers Oxford's alleged involvement in Catholic affairs. In a dispatch dated 11 January 1581, French ambassador Mauvissière recalled that Oxford became deeply involved in pro–Catholic conspiracies in April 1576. He claimed that upon returning from Italy, Oxford made profession of the Catholic faith together with some of his relatives among the nobility and his best friends, and had sworn and signed with them a declaration that they would do all they could for the advancement of the Catholic religion.Less
This chapter considers Oxford's alleged involvement in Catholic affairs. In a dispatch dated 11 January 1581, French ambassador Mauvissière recalled that Oxford became deeply involved in pro–Catholic conspiracies in April 1576. He claimed that upon returning from Italy, Oxford made profession of the Catholic faith together with some of his relatives among the nobility and his best friends, and had sworn and signed with them a declaration that they would do all they could for the advancement of the Catholic religion.
