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Grigsby, Leslie B. (Leslie Brown) / The Longridge collection of English slipware and delftware. Volume 2: delftware
(2000)

Other tiles, plaques, and a wall niche,   pp. [465]-[488]


Page 467

 
ling, Sides and reverses unglazed. 
SHAPE: (Each) Shaped in tile frame. 
Edges slightly chamfered. 
DECORATION: Painted. Based on 
other, inscribed material, the scenes 
shown here depict two events from the 
(ficticious) "Horrid Hellish Popish Plot," 
or "Titus Oates Conspiracy." Borders 
composed of concentric circles and, at 
corners, "spider head" motifs. 
Published: Home, Collection, ptr 19, 
no. 556A-556B. 
1. "Titus Oates" (1649-1705), National 
Biography, vol. 14, pp. 741 748. 
2. For an inscribed tile with a scene 
matching the Longridge example on the 
left in subject and the 10 of spades refer- 
ence, see Ray, Tiles, no. 17, for a 5 of 
spades card matching the Longridge 
example on the right, see under Sotheby's 
(L,, March 15, 1971, lot 21. 
3. Htorne comments (January 1999): for 21 
tiles and inatching playing cards, see 
Sotheby's (1), March 15, 1971, lot 21. For 
other tiles and cards, Lipski sale (3), 
March 1. 1983, lots 505 506; Archer, V&A, 
nos. N.10 N.18 (9 important inscribed 
tiles); Ray. Tiles, p. 61 and nos. 8 19, 
figs. 36a 36c; Britton, London, p. 176, 
nos. 199-201, fig. 22; Horne, Tiles, p. 17, 
no. 12. 
4. Britton, London, p. 59. 
5. Horne, Collection, pt. 19, no. 556A- 
556B1 For spider-head corner firagments 
with manganese decoration, see Ray, 
Tiles, p. 99, fig. 25c. 
hese two tiles form part of a group with an important plate in this collection
(no. D16). All three bear scenes after engravings by Francis Barlow (1626-1704)
for playing cards depicting the "Titus Oates Conspiracy," or the
ficticious "Hor- 
rid Hellish Popish Plot." (For a more in-depth discussion of the plot,
see no. D16). 
Oates (1649-1705) was the primary figure in this money-making scheme, which
focused on a plot to take the life of Charles II and return England to Rome
and 
was intended to play on the public's anti-Catholic sentiments. (The scene
and 
inscription "The Confpirators figneing ye/refolve for killing the/king"
on the 
Longridge plate [no. D16] is taken from the eight of clubs playing card and
refers 
to this portion of the plot.) Oates's actions eventually led to the execution
of sev- 
eral persons. 
    The figure who is commemorated on the tiles shown here, Sir Edmund Berry
Godfrey (or Sir Edmund-Bury Godfrey), was assassinated (perhaps at Oates's
instigation), and English Catholics were accused of murdering him because
he 
had deposed Oates for the Privy Council.' (For an October 1678 pamphlet titled
A SERMON AT THE FUNERAL OF Sr EDMUND-BURY GODFREY... Who was Barbaroufly
Murthered," see no. D16.) The Longridge tiles are uninscribed, but cards
and other 
tiles with inscriptions help identify the scenes: (left)",Sr. E. B.
Godfree is perfwaded 
to goe down Somerfet Houfe yard," from the ten of spades; "The
Body of Sr. E. B. 
G. cariy'd to Prinifose hill on a Hoife," from the five of spades.'
Surviving portions 
of several other sets of tiles also depict these or other Popish Plot scenes
derived 
from card illustrations (see also no. D16)." 
    Based on material discussed under the "Popish Plot" plate (no.
D16), the tiles 
 may have been produced by immigrant potter Jan Ariens van Hamme (d. 1680),
 who is thought to have been active in Lambeth at Copthall) Besides the subject
 matter, the decoration, including the "spider head" corners, examples
of which 
 have been unearthed in Lambeth, as well as the pinkish quality of the glaze
help 
 to date the tiles. Most other Popish Plot tiles bear "ox head"
(named for a partic- 
 ular type of leafy arabesque) rather than "spider head" corner
motifs edging 
 circular reserves, and at least one surviving example is borderless. 
The Longridge Collection 467 


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