Oates, Titus, << ohts, TY tuhs >> (1649-1705), was a conspirator who, in 1678, made up the story of a plot by Roman Catholics to assassinate the king of England and destroy Protestantism. He referred to the supposed plan as the Popish Plot. This was in 1678, when the English people were suspicious of Roman Catholics in general and of Jesuit priests in particular. Oates claimed knowledge of a Jesuit plot to suppress Protestantism through the assassination of King Charles II. He became a hero at first, and received a reward. But, in 1685, he was charged with perjury, fined, and imprisoned. William III released Oates in 1689, and he received a pension. Oates was born in Oakham, England.
