Beschreibung:

Rye House Plot.- Exact Account (An) of the Proceedings at the Old-Bayly...of the Tryal of the Lord Russel, William Hone Joyner, John Rouse, Captain William Blage, 4pp., drop-head title, spotted, tipped into album of blank leaves, later half calf, [Wing E3580, 4 UK locations and 3 in America], folio, Edinburgh, Re-printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson 1683. ⁂ The Rye House plot was a conspiracy to kill King Charles II and his brother James, Duke of York, as they passed through Hertfordshire on the way back to London from the races at Newmarket. The conspirators were an extremist Whig group who were alarmed at the King's Catholic sympathies and the future succession of James who was known to be a Catholic. Anti-Catholic hysteria engulfed the country following the Popish Plot, instigating Parliament to introduce the Exclusion Bill in 1681 which would prevent James from succeeding Charles. The King dissolved Parliament to stop the Bill being passed precipitating many conspiracies such as this. In the end a fire at Newmarket caused the races to be cancelled so Charles and James returned to London early and the plotters missed their chance. Several notable figures were involved in the plot, many being executed like Lord Russell, imprisoned or exiled. Among those who fled to Holland was the Duke of Monmouth, Charles II's illegitimate son, who was himself beheaded following the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, another attempt to overthrow James, by then James II. Also tipped into the volume is a facsimile of An Account of the Proceedings against the Rebels at an Assize holden at Exeter... of 1685, listing several of those involved in the Monmouth Rebellion and their trial for treason.