Oates and Bedloe swore, that all the Papal commissions by which the chief offices in England were filled with Catholics, passed through his hands.

When verdict was given against the prisoner, the spectators expressed their savage joy by loud acclamations.

So high indeed had the popular rage mounted, that the witnesses for this unhappy man, on approaching the court, were almost torn in pieces by the rabble: one in particular was bruised to such a degree, as to put his life in danger.

And another, a woman, declared that, unless the court could afford her protection, she durst not give evidence: but as the judges could go no further than promise to punish such as should do her any injury, the prisoner himself had the humanity to waive her testimony.
So far the informers had proceeded with success: their accusation was hitherto equivalent to a sentence of death.

The first check which they received was on the trial of Sir George Wakeman, the queen's physician, whom they accused of an intention to poison the king.