Some Observations Upon the Late Tryals of Sir George Wakeman Corker.

London: Printed for A. Brewster, 1679. Perceptive Satirical Commentary on the Popish Plot of 1678 [Popish Plot]. [Smith, Francis (fl. 1657-1689)]. Some Observations Upon the Late Tryals of Sir George Wakeman, Corker and Marshall, &c. By Tom Tickle-Foot the Taborer, Late Clerk to Justice Clodpate. London: Printed for A. Brewster, 1679. 8, 7-9, [1] pp. Pagination irregular, text complete. Folio (11-1/2" x 7-3/4"). Stab-stitched pamphlet in later plain wrappers. Light creasing and edgewear to wrappers, chip to foot of front wrapper, moderate toning and occasional light foxing to interior, lower corner of leaf B1 (pp. 5-6) lacking without loss to text, small ink "11" to head of title page. $250. * Only edition. Supposedly written by a clerk to "Justice Clodpate," this satirical and sensational account of the Popish Plot of 1678 is also a remarkably perceptive and interesting contemporary analysis. One of the cruelest hoaxes in British history and the catalyst for a wave of anti-Catholic violence, the Popish Plot was the invention of Titus Oates, an Anglican clergyman, and his friend, Dr. Israel Tonge, a cleric and passionate anti-Catholic. They pretended to have discovered a Jesuit plot to assassinate the King, massacre Protestants and set James, Duke of York, the King's Catholic brother, on the throne. After the hoax was discovered in 1685 Oates was convicted of perjury, severely flogged and imprisoned. Under William III he was released and pensioned. English Short-Title Catalogue R12969.…