Popish Plot Fabricated
1678
The disgraced Anglican cleric Titus Oates concocted a tale of a Catholic conspiracy to assassinate Charles II and place his brother on the throne. London panicked; fifteen innocent Catholics were hanged on Oates's perjury before the fraud was exposed. The hysteria scarred English politics for a generation and gave birth to the Whig and Tory parties that would define parliamentary life.
In context
Also in 1678 (3 other events on record)
- Pilgrim's Progress Published · Europe · Culture
- Madame de La Fayette's La Princesse de Cleves · Europe · Culture
- Bunyan in Bedford Jail · Europe · Culture
Before and after in Europe
- Before: 1677: Racine Premieres Phedre
- After: May 27, 1679: Habeas Corpus Act
Before and after in Politics
Era
Enlightenment (1651–1800), one of 696 events from that era on Saeculum.
Sources