THE BIGGEST LIAR of the SEVENTEENTH CENTURY - TITUS OATES

[@yfrontsguy]

A pity that society has no firewall still against these psychopaths & that we still suffer their sick vanity & greed

[@muskerp]

he sounds a lot like bojo

[@jbos5107]

The longer I live, the more I realize that some things never change. Very interesting video Allan. I really enjoyed it.

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it! I think our best defence against this kind of history repeating itself too often is to be well- informed 😅.

[@willbick3]

The chances of the bulk of the electorate ever being ‘well-informed’ are nil

[@davidmajer3652]

Some people will go to great lengths to avoid an honest job.

[@nicolasfauvel5934]

Thank you, Dr Barton! A splendid telling of the story of Titus Oates. Viewed from the perspective of our age, Oates was a textbook example of what we would now label a psychopath, as first carefully described and clearly formulated by Dr Hervey Cleckley in his book "The Mask of Sanity", published in 1941. Some commentators here seem slightly amazed that such characters exist in our day, but, of course, they have always existed. They exist in varying degrees of flagrancy and the character trait is remarkably prevalent. They still take in "normal" folk with their charisma, charm and confidence. They have no need to "believe" their own lies and fantasies because they have no moral sense and no empathy, and do not distinguish between truth and fantasy. They are callous of others. Most come into conflict with society, and many with the law (just like Oates). It is no surprise that they are over-represented in prisons. Some psychopaths (usually at the brighter end of intelligence) have some insight into the fact that their thinking is not like "normal" people, and become adept at faking more normal patterns of emotional response, but it is just that - faking. During many interesting discussions about how to handle psychopaths in the work-place, a hightly experienced clinical psychologist friend ultimately gave the following sound advice: "steer well clear of them!"

[@willbick3]

Its amazing how people (including authority) can be swept along if you have total commitment to your own bullshit

[@Cheryl407]

Amazing parallels to a situation many of us are being forced to deal with. Thank you for your presentation.

[@garycurry4600]

I could not have said it better!

[@Lionstar16]

Titus Oates is proof that some things never change

[@watermelonman3000]

What situation is that? Trump?

[@Pugggle]

​@@watermelonman3000the latest riots in the uk are a recent similarity

[@chadclay1643]

Starmer

[@judycater2832]

What an odious man whose lies cost so many innocent lives and destroyed reputations. A horrible story but one which need to be told. Thank you.🙏🏻

[@allanbarton]

Glad you appreciated this. An interesting, if ugly story, but I think it’s best to be well- informed of the kaleidoscope of human behaviour and possibility!

[@lukasmickevicius2173]

Thank you for the video! I studied at the English College in Valladolid last year and quite few of the Martyrs of our house can be traced to the Horrid Hellish Popish plot. We were told that Oates' room was above the entrance where he could spy on visitors to the college - now its a laundry room, so no student has to be haunted by his wraith.

[@judycater2832]

Fascinating detail; thank you for sharing.❤

[@allanbarton]

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

[@Bard_Land]

The Plot Against Pepys is an excellent book on Samuel Pepys's narrow escape from Oates. The accounts of other victims trials were truly harrowing. An evil man.

[@johndaarteest]

I shall agree with this, the book is a masterpiece. And yes, what a nasty little man.

[@edithengel2284]

This is the most thorough and clear account of Titus Oates' career I've heard. Thank you so much. What a terrifying human being. The whole course of events sounds reminiscent of the hysteria surrounding the witch trials in Salem, Massachusetts.

[@allanbarton]

There are certainly strong parallels between the two!! Glad you appreciated the video 😊.

[@OkieJammer2736]

Very well researched and produced. Thank you.

[@allanbarton]

Glad you appreciated it!

[@OkieJammer2736]

Oh. My. 😮 Toxic and evil, indeed. We all have known those who lie as a pattern or habit, but not to cause the seemingly intended consequences as did Oates. OMG, the horrific damage by one human.

[@jbos5107]

The whole world knows someone like this right now and it is terrifying!

[@allanbarton]

Yes, the trail of destruction was fairly huge!

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

What's truly terrifying is the amount of people who are prepared to claim that they believe such preposterous rubbish. That's what makes a person like this so dangerous. Why do people drop their common sense for someone like this?

[@lianefehrle9921]

All those people that died because of him, so heartless. He reminds me a great deal of another person.

[@bretthess6376]

Who? Quite a number of candidates there.

[@roringusanda2837]

Tony Bliar...to K. Starmer...

[@jackpayne4658]

Any modern-day psychopath would instantly recognise Oates as a member of their exclusive fraternity. You don't need to be a sadistic serial killer or a gangster. All you need is to go through life with something lacking - call it conscience, empathy, honesty, whatever. I've met a few psychopaths, and they're absolutely charming - it's hard to believe that something essential is missing.

[@mickymantle3233]

For the times, he's lucky he did'nt lose his tongue. Vile man.

[@J.MacInnes]

Titus Oates and Matthew Hopkins , the self appointed Witchfinder General, the seventeenth century was a true feast for utterly horrible people in England.

[@willbick3]

Twenty first century says hi

[@J.MacInnes]

@@willbick3 we haven't improved much have we

[@danielkarmy4893]

The largely-unknown poet Dale Wimbrow Sr wrote, in his best work, 'The Guy in the Glass': '...you can fool the whole world down the pathway of years, and get pats on the back as you pass; but your final reward will be heartache and tears, if you've cheated The Guy In the Glass...'

[@mags102755]

My mother was a pathological liar. But this guy takes the cake. 🙂

[@Harvey0506]

Mine too, So I believe you before I even listen to this piece.😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. I'll give it a shot?

[@allanbarton]

Indeed- he made a career of it!

[@Lionstar16]

'The Hanging Judge' - now there's a name to strike fear into the hearts of men!

[@allanbarton]

Yes! A dubious reputation to have 😅.

[@sylviahardy4568]

Usually, I enjoy your posts. Not so this one. I'm left with an awareness that his type is still very much amongst us... an uneasy feeling.

[@sforza209]

You’re very petty if that bothers you.

[@jonjames7328]

@@sforza209I disagree: the existence of malign psychopaths can be quite legitimately unsettling.

[@BMW7series251]

Another very interesting video. Thank you.

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ludovica8221]

sounds like a ideal candidate for the US Presidency

[@VeganWithAraygun]

He looks exactly like MAGA Charlie Kirk

[@lianefehrle9921]

I thought the same

[@jilltagmorris]

Perhaps a cabinet seat

[@edmundsveikutis1698]

Thankfully they will be held of for the next 4 years.

[@d.l.d.l.8140]

Are we paying rent for that space in your head? I’d be okay with it, it’s very roomy.

[@ZAV1944]

I knew a guy in my apartment building who was just like Oates.

[@n990]

Amazing, 'Unloved and unlamented'... Thank you!

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Lisette777]

So well researched! Thank you, Allan. I love your videos. In a sense though, this one horrifies, for there is a parallel situation elsewhere in the world, where a renown liar and con man will steer the ship. It's terrible to think we learn nothing from history.

[@roringusanda2837]

Kier Starmer?

[@jameshaddan8538]

Great video - thanks for posting. I just finished reading Sophie Shorland’s ‘The Lost Queen’ about Catherine of Braganza which includes quite a bit about Oates, so immediately watched your video when I saw it pop up - fascinating stuff!

[@pontecarlo4354]

Not the Titus Oates of the Scott expedition but he lied at the end when he said “I’m going out for just a short time”

[@neilbuckley1613]

He was Laurence Oates,Titus was just a nickname.

[@pontecarlo4354]

@ Thank you, I think he was still called the nickname after the historical figure you refer to.

[@LamgiMari]

Clearly nicknamed for this guy, but ... why?

[@chrisball3778]

@@LamgiMari 'Oates' was considered an unusual name and Titus was the most infamous person sharing it. It would be the equivalent of jokingly calling someone with the surname Manson 'Charlie'. He was already a military hero who had been recommended for the Victoria Cross by the time he joined Scott's expedition, so it wasn't intended as some slight on his character, just dark humour.

[@davewolfy2906]

​@@chrisball3778 I knew a soldier, his surname is/was Knight. Even the sergeant major called him Gladys.

[@TerryC69]

Hi Allan! The story of Oates brings to mind a certain passage from St. Luke 8:17: "For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad."

[@allanbarton]

Hi Terry! Yes, a very apt passage in this case!

[@ByronAdams-j7t]

“The most huge and horrible scandal ever launched against us [the Catholic faith] since the last lie was choked in the throat of Titus Oates.” G. K. Chesterton, “The Resurrection of Father Brown.”

[@allanbarton]

A very pertinent reference!

[@chrisball3778]

One thing I've never seen considered is the possibility that Oates had a genetic condition causing abnormal facial bone growth, e.g. Cherubism or Paget's disease. He looks distinctly odd in most of his portraits, and his unflattering descriptions have said he was considered so 'ugly' he attracted attention in the street. It'd be easy to put these down to poor draftsmanship and hyperbole, but the pictures genuinely do quite closely resemble the effects of medical conditions known to cause very visible facial differences. If it was the case that Oates lived with one of these conditions, it might help explain how he developed such a warped psyche- the constant experience of social rejection feeding a pathological need for approval. None of that would excuse all the death and suffering his lies caused, but it might help us understand how one of history's strangest villains came to be the way he was. There may be people who've seriously looked into this possibility already, but if there are, I've not stumbled across their work.

[@kidmohair8151]

16:13 “…apparently serial lying can make one a gentleman.” a statement that could be said of a not insubstantial number these days.

[@allanbarton]

Very true, it has ever been thus. But often in the end, what goes around, comes around!

[@kidmohair8151]

@@allanbarton i'm not so sure about the "often" part. "sometimes" or "rarely" perhaps is closer to reality. it is heartening when it does happen, though.

[@renater.540]

​@@kidmohair8151 Let's hope it won't last till 2028 to arrive....

[@diabolicalartificer]

Titus Oates was a character in an episode of the Sweeney, I didn't know he had an historical basis: what a ratbag.

[@laurachapple6795]

He looks like Restoration Jay Leno.

[@judycater2832]

😂😂😂

[@EdMcF1]

It smelt a lot then, no pot-pourri here.

[@paulwalsh1659]

Why does this fellow remind me of a contemporary of ours?

[@stepps511]

The comfort, if I may use the term, is that in the end Oates felt the effects of his chronic detestable behavior and temperment. Thank you, Allan, for this illustrative bit of history.

[@Marjorie-yt7pb]

Someone by the name of 'Titus ' , what did' ya. Expect??😅

[@dragonsguardianofcrystalhearts]

My friend named her son that. And the other son omega.

[@johndaarteest]

@@dragonsguardianofcrystalhearts She could have named the other one Alpha.

[@medievalladybird394]

..... a famous skateboarder and a Roman emperor after whom he was nicknamed: Titus

[@watermelonman3000]

The words 'bounder and a cad' don't do it justice.

[@johndaarteest]

The monocle-popping horror of it all.

[@watermelonman3000]

@@johndaarteest The butt-plug clenching terror!

[@dizzyspinner648]

Uncorrected personality traits that seem whimsical in a child may prove to be ugly in a fully grown adult.

[@jonjames7328]

We know it’s Robin Hitchcock but not many others do.

[@a24-45]

Sounds like Oates may have had a personality disorder, possibly histrionic or another Cluster B disorder, especially with his compulsive lying. If only private investigators existed back in that century. In treason trials, it was often one person's word against another's. But if Oates' past had been researched at the time and made public, it might have damaged his credibility enough to make him an "unreliable witness". This story reminds me how vulnerable we all are to being used and exploited, once a manipulative person works out what it is that we want to hear.

[@aldiboronti]

The poet John Dryden wrote the best and funniest picture of Oates in Absalom and Achitophel

[@CatskillsGrrl]

We have our own biggest liar and I can’t escape him.

[@Marse73]

Oates was an evil man, causing so much trouble

[@jeanmkaufmann]

Oh my God! He was a truly horrible person. 🙂🇨🇦

[@joelhermann3516]

Odius in the extreme. How true!

[@darrenmclellan6712]

What a great story!

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidpnewton]

You know some of those engravings make him look almost Hapsburgian in the chin.

[@EllenCFarmGirl]

Wow, I was dropped jawed on the history of this Character! Fascinating!❤

[@allanbarton]

His was an interesting story and character, wasn’t it?!

[@EllenCFarmGirl]

@allanbarton he grifted for a long time!

[@CrowSkeleton]

Poor wife. I didn't know Oates married (for cash) or that he was ever actually charged for sex crimes (and wriggled out of the allegations), but I can't say I'm surprised.

[@SWRural-fk2ub]

This story reminds me a bit of Jeffrey Archer.

[@StevenJeNova]

An interesting life, digging his own grave, just about. But I bet it wasn't boring! Despicable man, though. Great video, thanks!

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rose-ey6ct]

A narcissist. Does he remind anyone of a recent politician who achieved the highest office in the land?

[@roringusanda2837]

Kier Starmer?

[@muskerp]

@@roringusanda2837 Time will tell, I had bojo in mind though

[@roringusanda2837]

@muskerp yeah, he's another one... honestly can we say we've ever not had this kind?

[@alanpeachey4085]

Thank you for being here. That was fabulous. I walk through a con man. We’ve got lots of them here in Australia who we are and what we are to the British Isles is our history from the ground up who created that history from the ground up the common ale house Westminster and Parliament would be nothing. The foundations were created a long time before those buildings were created. how do we maintain the history of old London town that’s been missed by an economist that’s easy. We just make the soccer clubs and the cricket clubs badminton and every other sport that can be played or maintained Must be supplying funds to keep old London town the place it has made for centuries old London town it will secure the very culture and who we are and what we are regards Al from down under where they have simply destroyed as much history as they possibly can and it was so unique I saw you. Thank you for being you.

[@Smeegheed1963]

Great video, thanks. I'd never heard of Titus Oates before but I found this so interesting that I thought I'd say what it made me think... That way of being has always been a thing and still is... The name and face, the identity of the person are not the culprit, I think. It can manoeuvre itself into powerful positions and the results are all around us, still. But, lets not hate him, or all the other ones who carry on this way, lets just stop giving them power!

[@benholmes1608]

Would be a good name for a breakfast cereal.

[@PaperclipClips]

Have him team up with a guy named Hall and you've got a band!

[@r3l4x69]

@5:05 im happy you also included topgolf on your map

[@thejudgmentalcat]

Reminds me of a few American politicians Why haven't they made a movie or miniseries on this guy? His story is perfect for it

[@derbyshirewalker]

Thank you for such an interesting video.

[@allanbarton]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@saraross8396]

I once read an interesting story about Oates. This took place long after his time, which is perhaps the most interesting thing about it. I don't recall who it was or when, but someone decided to "throw a party in his honor". People actually showed up to this affair. Curiously, they looked around for the guest of honor. After a time, each attendee was given a card saying that the guest of honor would not be joining them this evening and also gave further details about the man in question. The guy throwing the party wanted to prove that some people would show up for anything, even for someone they knew nothing about. I'd say he succeeded.

[@Bejaardenbus]

Love the video! Informative without becoming a deluge. Did you turn off subtitles? It'd be lovely if you turned it on so more people can enjoy this kind of well-researched, educational material.

[@riheg]

A bad liar is better than a good one

[@janegardener1662]

"He had begun to believe his own lies". This is the US President-Elect's main skill.

[@nikitamckeever5403]

No that would be Starmer

[@garynilsson416]

Easy. Stay as far away from them as possible. You wont have many friends left and presumably the one you remain close to will be more childlike. It is almost impossible to find these in our times of evil and egoism.

[@steveball2307]

Plus ça change........

[@eleanorburns8686]

Born too early and in the wrong country. He'd have been a senator in this day and age.

[@lysem4392]

A spellbinding video. I watched it twice, partly to better enjoy its splendid images.

[@allanbarton]

I’m glad you enjoyed it enough to watch it twice!!

[@dantematt2439]

9:54 Here starts a perfect description of a conniving bastard 😂

[@paulbrookes6705]

Very informative we wonder how this could have happened but it seems fact is stranger than fiction in his case.

[@juliaeastbourne6310]

I cant help thinking that someone like this would have been far more successful in England today.

[@roringusanda2837]

He is, his name is Kier Starmer

[@John-b1l6t]

I can think of a number of prominent politicians who fall into the same category as Oates. One in particular comes to mind across the Atlantic.

[@Carolina-Cromwell-I]

All politicians are liars, even the ones you prefer. Lol.

[@doctoruttley]

I went to college with this guy! 😵‍💫

[@TyrSkyFatherOfTheGods]

I wonder what the 17th Century equivalent is of the idiom "a piece of work"?

[@jimchoate6912]

And then trump came along and showed us how its really done.

[@LuciThomasHardylover-qx6ts]

If only that was really funny 😭

[@roringusanda2837]

As if Biden hasn't bullsh*ting his whole life...🙄 And all the rest of them before that.

[@ringkichardthethrid7147]

Is anyone aware of the significance of the hand gesture that Oates appears to be displaying in some of his portraits/depictions? The middle and ring finger held together with index and little fingers held apart, in a shape like a W. For example, at 12:35.

[@crazystarwarsguy1006]

@ 6.18 ... committing bookery ? That was rife surely ?

[@allanbarton]

Buggery, made illegal by Henry VIII.

[@crazystarwarsguy1006]

@@allanbarton Gotcher . Allan !

[@alistairharrop4902]

For some reason, I think this is a man kier starmer models herself on.

[@John-cr2tn]

He had the same haircut as Brian May

[@jimfrater8225]

Sounds like the Boris of the 1670s

[@ElizabethHopkinson]

The more things change…

[@christopheraliaga-kelly6254]

Titus Oates was the Boris Johnson of his time. Apparently when one of those accused by Oates was 'hung, drawn and quartered', as the executioner cut out his heart and shouted out, "Behold, the heart of a traitor!' The 'corpse' snarled "Thou Liest!" and punched him!

[@adamnorris8006]

sounds so much like Donald trump its crazy

[@christopherwiles9097]

Amazing. I expect nowadays we would use the name Boris!

[@renater.540]

And Donald..

[@d.l.d.l.8140]

Not fond of the teasing reveal of the portraits.

[@maryleeswope3353]

Not alot to recommend this individual.

[@garycannon1247]

2:25 is that your clock chiming the hour?

[@allanbarton]

It is indeed, a late Georgian longcase clock.

[@garycannon1247]

@allanbarton nice.

[@philipinchina]

The biggest liar? Show your workings.

[@MaireadFahy]

Sounds like the orange menace.

[@jbos5107]

Yes, and I wish his followers would realize that he's the orange JUDAS!

[@andreyradchenko8200]

Cope&sneed, lmao

[@jbos5107]

I call him the orange Judas, but that may be too much for some. It's not even close to what I really think.

[@crazystarwarsguy1006]

You sound like the drunken V.P..

[@Carolina-Cromwell-I]

Imagine thinking that guy is a menace but not the party which is escalating a world war! You have to laugh.

[@philnewcomers9170]

you dident mensionTheBishop of Armar ,OliverPlunkett fraudulantly convicted on oates sayso .Somuch for english fairgame haha

[@spumemonk11]

He sounds like a 16th Century Trump. Except he was far more intelligent.

[@roringusanda2837]

Sounds like the Incontinent Potato and his Cackling Commie sidekick...

[@spumemonk11]

@@roringusanda2837 Grow up. You sad gullible loser.

[@janegardener1662]

@@roringusanda2837 Trump is well known for his stinky diapers.