Legal – Popish Plot The dying speech of Robert Frances of Grays-Inn Esq July 24 1685. Delivered by his own hand to the ordinary at the place of execution desiring the same might be published. 4pp folio, published by Roger L’Estrange. A little dusty and on horizontal fold but otherwise good. A rare publication in the wake of a bizarre execution. Frances, a barrister, was executed for killing Thomas Dangerfield, a notorious fraudster who, along with Titus Oates was one of the principal informers in the Popish Plot. When retribution was meted out on Oates and his cronies, Dangerfield was sentenced to be publicly whipped, then had two days in the pillory and then whipped again from Aldgate to Newgate. On his way back he was struck in the eye by Frances and died shortly after from the blow. To everyone’s dismay Frances was then tried for murder and executed.