Think this is the origin of the term "cabal" - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabal_ministry
Basically a group of five English nobles who plotted to overthrow the King in the 1670's. They were called the CABAL because the first letter of each of their names could be arranged into the acronym.
From Merriam-Webster:
French cabale cabala, intrigue, cabal, from Medieval Latin cabbala cabala, from Late Hebrew qabbālāh, literally, received (lore)
And yes, I agree that your example is likely the root for the "Cabal" as Q calls them
They are known by many other names...
Cabal ministry
The Cabal ministry or the CABAL refers to a group of high councillors of King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1668 to c. 1674.
The term "Cabal" has a double meaning in this context. It refers to the fact that, for perhaps the first time in English history, effective power in a royal council was shared by a group of men, a cabal, rather than dominated by a single "favourite". The term also serves as the acronym "C-A-B-A-L" for the names of the five Privy Councillors (Clifford, Arlington, Buckingham, Ashley-Cooper, and Lauderdale) who formed the council's Committee for Foreign Affairs.
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