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1. In the first Year of his Reign, before he was solemnly Anointed and Crowned, Wat∣son and Clark, two Romish Priests drew into their Conspiracy some Noble Men, some Knights, and some Gentlemen, to surprise the King and his Son Prince Henry, pre∣suming on Foreign Forces for Aid and Assistance, intending to alter Religion, and to
set up such Officers of State, as they ohought best; but their Plot, before it came to execution, was discovered, the Traytors Condemned, some of them Executed, and others through the Kings Clemency spared.
Garnet, and Tresmond, Jesuits, with Catesby, and Tresham, notwithstanding the Death of Queen Elizabeth, when they saw that King James Defended the same Faith, con∣tinued to solicit the King of Spain to send an Army into England to joyn with the Forces of the Papists here for Extirpation of Religion: But the King of Spain be∣ing in Treaty with the King of England about Peace, refused to hearken to any such motion; whereupon they, together with other Unnatural and Trayterous Subjects, Plotted the matchless, merciless, devilish and damnable Gun-powder Treason, as is now to be shewed.
The Plot was to under-mine the Parliament-House, and with Powder to blow up the King, Prince, Clergy, Nobles, Knights, and Burgesses, the very Confluence of all the flower of Glory, Piety, Learning, Prudence and Authority in the Land; Fathers, Sons, Brothers, Allies, Friends, Foes, Papists, and Protestants, all at one blast.
Their intent, when that Irreligious Atchievement had been performed, was to sur∣prize the remainder of the King's Issue, to alter Religion and Government, and to bring in a Forreign Power. Sir Edmond Baynam, an attainted Person, (who stiled him∣self Prince of the Damned Crew) was sent unto the Pope, as he was the Temporal Prince, to acquaint him with the Gun-powder Plot, and now to the Plot it self.
The Sessions of Parliament being dissolved, July 7th. A. C. 1605. and Prorogued to the 7th. of February following, Catesby being at Lambeth, sent for Thomas Winter, who before had been imployed into Spain, and acquainted him with the design of blowing up the Parliament-House, who readily apprehending it, said, This indeed strikes at the Root, only these helps were wanting, a House for Residence, and a skilfull Man to carry the Mine; but the first, Catesby assured him was easie to be got, and for the Man, he commended Guy Fawkes, a sufficient Souldier, and a forward Catholick: Thus Robert Catesby, John Wright, Thomas Winter, and Guy Fawkes, had many Meetings and Conferences about the business, till at last Thomas Piercy came puffing into Catesby's Lodging at Lambeth, saying, What Gentlemen, shall we always be thinking, and never do any thing? You cannot be ignorant how things proceed. To whom, Catesby answered, that something was resolved on, but first an Oath for Secrecy was to be Administred, for which purpose, they appointed to meet some three Days after, behind St. Clements Church, beyond Temple-Bar, where being met, Peircy professed, that for the Catho∣lick cause, himself would be the Man to advance it, were it with the slaughter of the King, which he was ready to undertake and do.
No, Tom. (said Catesby) thou shalt not adventure thy self to so small purpose, if thou wilt be a Traytor, there is a Plot to greater Advantage, and such a one as can ne∣ver be discovered. Hereupon all of them took the Oath of Secresie, heard a Mass, and received the Sacrament, after which, Catesby told them his devilish Devise by Mine, and Gun-powder, to blow up the Parliament-House, and so by one stroke, with the Destruction of many, effect that at once, which had been many Years attempt∣ing. And for case of Conscience to kill the Innocent with the nocent, he told, that it was Warrantable by the Authority of Garnet himself, the Superiour of the English Jesuits, and of Garrard, and Tresmond, (Jesuitical Priests likewise) who by the Apo∣stolical Power did commend the Fact, and Absolve the Actors. The Oath was given them by the said Garrard in these words.
You shall swear by the blessed Trinity, and by the Sacrament you now purpose to receive, never to disclose, directly nor indirectly, by Word, or Circumstance, the Matter that shall be proposed to you, to keep secret, nor desist from the Execution thereof until the rest shall give you leave.
The Project being thus far carried on, in the next place, the first thing they sought after, was a House wherein they might begin the Work, for which purpose no place was held fitter than a certain Edifice adjoyning to the Wall of the Parlia∣ment-House, which served for a With-Drawing Room to the Assembled Lords, and out of Parliament was at the disposal of the Keeper of the place, and Wardrobe, thereto belonging: These did Piercy hire for his Lodgings, entertained Fawkes as his Man, who changed his Name into Johnson, had the Keys and keeping of the Rooms. Besides this, they hired another House to lay in Provision of Powder, and to frame, and to fit Wood in for the carrying on the Mine, which Catesby provided at Lambeth, and Swore Robert Keyes into their Conspiracy, whom he made the Keeper of those Provisions, who by Night conveyed the same into Fawks's Rooms.
The appointed day for the Parliament, being the 17th. of February, it was thought fit to begin their work in October before: But Fawkes returining out of the Country, found Piercy's Roomes appointed for the Scotish Lords to Meet in, who were to Treat about the Union of the two Kingdoms, whereupon, they forbore to begin their Work: But that Assembly being Dissolved upon the 11th. of December, late in the Night, they entred upon the Work of Darkness, beginning their Mine, having Tools afore-hand prepared, and bak'd Meats provided, the better to avoid Suspicion, in case they should send abroad for them.
They which first began the Mine, were Robert Catesby, Esq; the Arch Contriver and Traytor, and ruin of his Name, Thomas Piercy, Esq; akin to the Earl of Nor∣thumberland, Thomas Winter, John Wright, and Guy Fawkes, Gentlemen, and Thomas Bates, Catesby's Man, all of them well grounded in the Romish School, and earnest Labourers in this Vault of Villany; so that by Christmass-Eve, they had brought the Mine under an Entry adjoyning to the Wall of the Parliament-House, under-proping are Earth as they went, with this Framed Timber, nor till that day were they seen abroad of any Man.
During this under-mining much consultation was had how to order the rest of the business, when the Deed should be accomplished: The first was, how to surprize the next Heir to the Crown: For tho' they doubted not but Prince Henry would accompany his Father, and perish with him; yet they suspected that Duke Charles, as too young to attend the Parliament, would escape the Train, and perchance be so care∣fully Guarded and Attended at Court, that he would hardly be gotten into their Hands; but Piercy offered to be the remover of this Rub, resolving with some other Gentlemen to enter into the Dukes Chamber, which by reason of his Acquaintance, he might well do, and others of his like Acquaintance should be placed at several Doors of the Court, so that when the Blow was given, and all Men in a maze, then would he carry away the Duke, which he presumed would be easily done, the most of the Court being then absent, and for such as were present, they would be alto∣gether unprovided for Resistance.
For the surprize of the Lady Elizabeth, it was held a matter of far less diffi∣culty, she remaning at Comb-Abby, in Warwickshire, with the Lord Harrington, and Ashby, Catesby's House being not far from the same, whither under the pretence of Hunting upon Dunsmore-Heath, many Catholicks should be Assembled, who knowing for what purpose they were met, had the full liberty in that distracted time to provide Money, Horses, Armour, and other necessaries for War, under pretence of strengthening and guarding the Heir apparent to the Crown.
Then it was debated, what Lords they should save from the Parliament, and it was agreed, that they should keep as many as they could that were Catholicks, or Favourers of them; but that all others should feel the smart, and that the Treason should be charged upon the Puritans, to make them the more odious to the World.
Next it was controverted what Foreign Princes they should make privy to this Plot, see∣ing they could not enjoyn them Secresie, nor oblige them by Oath, and this much troubled them. For though Spain was held fittest to second their Plot, yet he was slow in his Pre∣parations; and France was too near, and too dangerous to be dealt with; and how the Hol∣landers stood Affected to England, they knew very well. But while they were thus busying themselves, and tormenting their Brains, the Parliament was Adjourned to the Fifth Day of October ensuing; whereupon they brake off both Discourse and Work, till Candlemass, and then they laid in Powder, and other Provisions, beginning their Work again; and ha∣ving in the mean time taken into their Company, Cristopher Wright, and Robert Winter, be∣ing first Sworn, and receiving the Sacrament for Secresie, the Foundation Wall of the Parlia∣ment-House being very hard, and nine Foot thick, with great difficulty they wrought half through; Fawkes being their Centinel to give warning when any came near, that the Noise in digging might not be heard.
The Labourers thus working into the Wall, were suddenly surpriz'd with a great Fear, and casting away their Digging Tools, betook themselves to their Weapons, having suffici∣ent Shot and Powder in the House, and fully resolving rather to die in the place, than to yield, or be taken. The cause of this their Fear was a noise that they heard in a Room under the Parliament-House, and which they meant to have mined, which was directly under the Chair of State; but now all on a sudden they were at a stand, and their Countenances cast each upon other, as doubtful what would be the issue of this their Enterprize, Fawkes scouted out to see what he could discover abroad; and finding all safe and free from Su∣spect, he return'd, and told them, that the noise was only occasion'd by the Removal of Coals that were now upon Sale, and that the Cellar was to let, which would be more commodious for their purpose, and also would save their labour for the Mine. Hereup∣on Thomas Peircy, under pretence of Stowage for his Winter Provision and Coals, went and hired the Cellar; which done, they began a new Conference, wherein Catesby found the whole weight of the Work, too heavy for himself alone to support: For besides the Maintenance of so many Persons, and several Houses, for the several Uses hired, and paid for by him, the Gunpowder and other Provisions would rise to a very great Summ, and indeed too much for one Man's Purse. He desired therefore that himself, Piercy, and one more, might call in such Persons as they thought fit to help to maintain the Charge, al∣ledging, that they knew Men of Worth and Wealth that would willingly assist, but were not willing that their Names should be known to the rest. This request, as necessary, was approved; and therefore ceasing to dig any further in the Vault, knowing that the Cellar would be fitter for their purpose, they removed into it 20 Barrels of Gunpowder, which they cover'd with a thousand Billets, and five Hundred Faggots, so that now their Logding Rooms were clear'd of Suspicious Provisions, and might be freely enter'd into, without danger of Discovery.
But the Parliament being again Prorogued to the 5th of November following, these Persons thought fit that for a while they should again disperse themselves (all things being already in so good a forwardness) and that Guy Fawkes should go over to acquaint
Sir William Stanley, and Master Hugh Owen, with these their Proceedings, yet so, as the Oath of Secresie should be first taken by them. For their Design was to have Sir William Stanley's Presence so soon as the fatal Blow should be given, to be a Leader to their intend∣ed Stratagems, whereof (as they thought) they should have great Need, and that Owen should remain where he was, to hold Correspondence with Foreign Princes, to allay the Odiousness of the Fact, and to impute the Treason to the discontented Puritans.
Fawkes coming into Flanders, found Owen, unto whom, after the Oath, he declared the Plot, which he very well approved of; but Sir William Stanley being now in Spain, Owen said that he would hardly be drawn into the Business, having Suits now in England at the Court: Yet he promised to engage him all that he could, and to send into England with the first, so soon as the Plot had taken Effect. Upon this, Fawkes, to avoid further Su∣spicion, kept still in Flanders all the beginning of September, and then returning, receiv'd the Keys of the Cellar, and laid more Powder, Billets and Faggots; which done, he retired into the Country, and there kept till the end of October.
In the mean time, Catesby and Peircy meeting at the Bath, it was there concluded, that because their numbec was but few, Catesby himself should have power to call in whom he would to assist their design, by which Authority he took in Sir Everard Digby, of Rutlandshire, and Francis Tresham, Esq; of Northamptonshire, both of them of sufficient State and Wealth: For Sir Everard offer'd Fifteen Hundred Pounds, to forward the A∣ction, and Tresham Two Thousand. But Peircy disdaining that any should out-run him in Evil, promised Four Thousand Pounds out of the Earl of Northumberland's Rents, and ten swift Horses, to be used when the Blow was past. Against which time, to provide Am∣munition, Catesby also took in Ambrose Rookwood, and John Grant, two Recusant Gentle∣men, and without doubt, others were acquainted also with it, had these two grand Ele∣ctors been apprehended alive, whose own Tongues only could have given an Account of it.
The business being thus forwarded abroad by their Complices, they at home were no less active: For Peircy, Winter, and Fawkes, had stored the Cellar with thirty fix Barrels of Gunpowder, and instead of Shot, has said upon them Bars of Iron, Logs of Timber, Massie stones, Iron Crows, Pickaxes, and all their working Tools, and to cover all, great Store of Billets and Faggots, so that nothing was wanting against that great and terrible day. Neither were the Priests and Jesuits slack on their parts, who usually concluded their Masses with Prayers for the good Success of their expected Hopes.
Upon Thursday, in the Evening, ten Days before the Parliament was to begin, a Let∣ter, directed to the Lord Monteagle, was deliver'd by an unknown Person to his Foot∣man, in the Street, with a strict Charge to give it into his Lords own Hands, which ac∣cordingly he did: The Letter had neither Date nor Subscription, and was somewhat unlegible.
This Letter was imparted to the Earl of Salisbury, then Principal Secretary, and they both presently acquainted the Lord Chamberlain, next to the Earl of Worcester and Nor∣thampton, and last, to the King, as followeth.
My Lord,
Out of the Love I bear to some of your Friends, I have a care of your Preservation: Therefore I would advise you, as you tender your Life, to devise some Excuse, to shift off your Attendance at this Parliament. For God and Man have concurr'd to punish the Wickedness of this time: And think not slightly of this Advertisement, but retire your self in∣to your Country, where you may expect the Event in safety. For though there be no Appear∣ance of any Stir, yet I say they shall receive a terrible Blow this Parliament, and yet they shall not see who hurts them. This Counsel is not to be contemned, because it may do you good, and can do you no harm: For the danger is past so soon as you have burnt the Letter; and I hope God will give you the Grace to make a good use of it, to whose holy Protection I commend you.
His Majesty, after reading this Letter, pausing a while, and then reading it again, deli∣ver'd his Judgment, that the Stile of it was too quick and pithy to be a Libel, proceed∣ing from the Superfluities of an idle Brain, and by these Words, That they should receive a terrible Blow at this Parliament, and yet should not see who hurt them; he presently apprehen∣ded, that a sudden Danger by a Blast of Gunpowder was intended by some base Villain in a Corner, though no Insurrection, Rebellion, or desperate Attempt appear'd: And therefore wished that the Rooms under the Parliament-House should be thoroughly searched, before himself or Peers should sit therein. Hereupon it was concluded that the Lord-Chamberlain, (according to his Office) should view all Rooms above and below; but yet, to prevent idle Rumours, and to let things ripen further, it was resolved, that this Search should be deferr'd, till Monday, the day before the Parliament met, and that then it should be done with a seeming slight Eye, to avoid Suspect.
According to this Conclusion, the Earl of Suffolk, Lord-Chamberlain, upon Monday, in the Afternoon, accompanied with the Lord Monteagle, repair'd into these Under-Rooms, and finding the Cellar so fully stored with Wood and Coals, demanded of Fawkes, the counteffeit Johnson, who stood there, attending as a Servant of small Repute, who owned the place? He answer'd, that the Lodgings belong'd to Master Thomas Peircy, and the Cellar also, to lay in his Winter-Provision, himself being the Keeper of it, and Master Thomas Peir∣cy's Servant; whereunto the Earl, as void of any Suspicion, told him, That his Master was well provided for Winter Blasts: But when they were come forth, the Lord Montea∣gle told him, That he did much suspect Peircy to be the Inditer of the Letter, knowing his Af∣fection
in Religion, and the Friendship betwixt them professed, so that his Heart gave him (as he said) when heard Peircy named, that his Hand was in act.
The Lord-Chamberlain returning, related to the King and Council what he had seen, and the Suspition that the Lord Monteagle had of Peircy, and himself of Johnson, his Man, all which increased His Majesties Jealousie, so that he insisted (contrary to the Opi∣nion of some) that a harrow Search should be made, and the Billets and Coals turn'd up to the bottom; and accordingly the Search was concluded to be made, but under colour of searching for certain Hangings, belonging to the House, which were missing, and con∣veyed away.
Sir Thomas Knevet (a Gentleman of His Majesties Privy-Chamber) was employ'd herein, who about Midnight, before the Parliament was to begin, went to the place with a small, but trusty number of Persons: And at the Cellar Door, entring in, finding one (who was Guy Fawkes) at so unseasonable an Hour, cloaked, and booted, he apprehended him, and ransacking the Billets, he found the Serpent's Nest, stored with Thirty six Barrels of Powder, and then searching the Villain, he found a Dark-Lanthorn about him, three Matches, and other Instruments for blowing up the Powder: And being no whit daunted, he instantly confessed his Guiltiness, vowing, that if he had been within the House, he would have blown up House and self and all; and before the Council, lamented nothing so much, as that the Deed was not done, saying, The Devil, and not God, was the Discoverer of it. Catesby and the rest posted into Warwickshire, and began an open Rebellion, being joyned with about Eighty more; and so Trooping together, broke open the Stables be∣longing to Warwick-Castle, and took thence some great Horses. Thence into Worcester∣shire, and so to Staffordshire; where they rifled the Lord Windsor's House of all the Ar∣mour, Shot, Powder, &c. But being pursued by the high Sheriff of Worcestershire and his Men, who rush'd in upon them, both the Wrights were shot through, and slain, with one Musquet-Bullet; the rest being taken, were carry'd Prisoners to London, being all the way gaz'd at, revil'd, and detested by the common People for their horrid, and horrible Treason; and so at last they receiv'd the just Guerdon of their Wickedness. See a fuller Account in Bishop Carleton's Thankful Remembrance of God's Mercy.