Editing Popish Plot (section)

{{Short description|Fictitious conspiracy causing anti-Catholic hysteria affecting England, Scotland, and Ireland}}
{{distinguish|Gunpowder Plot}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
[[File:Popish Plot Playcard8.jpg|thumb|The execution of the five [[Society of Jesus|Jesuits]]]]

The '''Popish Plot''' was a fictitious conspiracy invented by [[Titus Oates]] that between 1678 and 1681 gripped the kingdoms of [[Kingdom of England|England]] and [[Kingdom of Scotland|Scotland]] in [[anti-Catholicism in the United Kingdom|anti-Catholic]] hysteria.{{sfn | Heald | 1992 | p=605}} Oates alleged that there was an extensive Catholic conspiracy to assassinate [[Charles II of England|Charles II]], accusations that led to the [[show trial]]s and executions of at least 22&nbsp;men and precipitated the [[Exclusion Crisis|Exclusion Bill Crisis]]. During this tumultuous period, Oates weaved an intricate web of accusations, fueling public fears and paranoia. However, as time went on, the lack of substantial evidence and inconsistencies in Oates's testimony began to unravel the plot. Eventually, Oates himself was arrested and convicted for [[perjury]], exposing the fabricated nature of the conspiracy.