Titus Oates From a rare Print

Satirical print entitled 'Titus Oates (From a rare Print) showing Titus Oates (1649-1705) in the stocks, having been convicted of perjury in 1685. The print was published by William Richardson of York House, Strand in 1810, taken from an engraving published in a broadside in 1685. Oates had a chequered career as a priest, starting in the Anglican Church, then converting to Catholicism. His reputation for homosexuality, and telling lies to advance his career, resulted in his dismissal from several positions. In 1678 Oates invented a story about prominent English Catholics plotting to kill King Charles II. Around 35 of these falsely accused men were executed. Although sentenced to life imprisonment for this crime, Oates managed to obtain his freedom after only three years.