Elizabeth Cellier

She stood trial for treason in 1679 for her alleged part in the "Meal-Tub Plot" against the future King James II,[1] but was eventually freed.

[2] The Jesuit historian John Warner described Cellier as a woman of clear, sharp and lively intelligence but rather poor judgment, a conclusion he reached through her conduct during the Popish Plot.

Among these ladies was the Countess of Powis, whose kindness was shown to, among others, a clever imposter, Thomas Dangerfield, who had a long criminal record.

Becoming aware of this man's lie, Lady Powis ceased to assist him, and in revenge, he decided to denounce her to the government as being involved in a new Popish Plot.

"[2] Dangerfield maintained the story that he had been released from prison through the assistance of Powis and Cellier on the condition that he assassinate the king, Lord Shaftesbury, and others.

[6] The real focus of this prosecution, according to Roger North, was to prevent Cellier from giving evidence in favour of the imprisoned Catholic peers.

Front page of the pamphlet Malice Defeated , published in 1680 by Elizabeth Cellier to defend her reputation from the charge of treason on which she had just been acquitted