PLUNKET, Oliver. The Relation of the Tryals of Edward Fitz-Harris, and Oliver Plunket:

Who were Tryed at the Kings-Bench on the 8th. and 9th. of this instant June, 1681. And there found guilty and Condemned for High Treason: for conspiring the death of the King, and to Subvert the Protestant Religion and Government, by raising Rebellion and Leavying Warr. [London]: Printed by H[enry]. Brugis in the year 1681. pp. 8. Modern half green morocco on green cloth boards, title in gilt along evenly faded spine. Armorial bookplate of F. S. Bourke on front pastedown. A very good copy. Extremely rare.  [L1 7D]

COPAC locates the Oxford University copy only. Wing R 881B. Sweeney 4468. Printer’s name and place of publication from Wing.

Saint Oliver Plunkett was Professor of Theology at Propaganda College, Rome from 1657 until 1676 when he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh. “Labours in his diocese were increasing and he never had a house of his own, and he was often glad to eat oatcake and milk”.  Arrested on the false depositions of Titus Oates he was tried at Drogheda but with no witnesses appearing, he was sent to London in 1680, put on trial without counsel or witness. MacMoyer, who pawned the ‘Book of Armagh’ to pay his own expenses swore his life away and Oliver was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn in 1681.

Edward Fitzharris (c.1648-1681), soldier and conspirator, was the second son of Sir Edward Fitzharris of Kilfinane, County Limerick, and his wife, Ellen Fitzgerald. The Fitzharris family suffered great hardship when they lost their Irish estates, their name appearing on a list of dispossessed landowners presented to the Duke of Ormond in May 1664.  Edward was executed for treason in 1681.