1-345-289 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'Testis Ovat', Titus Oates in the pillory, 17th century (c1905). Testis Ovat is an anagram of Oates' name. An Anglican priest, he made up the story of the Popish Plot of 1678, which was a plot against the government. He was condemned by Judge Jeffreys to imprisonment for life. In addition it was ordered that he would stand annually in the pillory at particular spots, and every May, to be flogged from Aldgate to Newgate. Under William III he was released and pensioned. Illustration from Parliament Past and Present by Arnold Wright and Philip Smith, (London, c1905).