Gates, assisted by Bedloe and other perjured informers, was voted large sums as reward for his villany.

The queen herself was accused, but Charles refused to abandon her to this merciless Protestant per- secution.

The city was kept under arms, and in the excited state of the public mind, no one ventured to question the existence of this pretended plot.

In January, 1679, parliament was dissolved, after having held their places for eighteen years.

Popular agitation still continued so violent, that the duke of York was compelled to depart for the continent.