Cabinet 5: The Popish Plot

A cartoon by Stephen College (c.1635-1681) depicting Charles II as a two-faced showman attempting to dupe the nation. Charles becomes mired in a bog, where he is attacked by a mob who force papists into his show-box and encourage him to leave England. The cartoon is accompanied by a poem of the same name, which emphasises Charles’ desire to ensure his Catholic brother James would succeed him. According to James Granger, “The printer was fined £500 for printing it.”

Stephen College, A Ra-ree Showe (London: B.T., 1681)