The Conspirators Behind the Gunpowder Plot

By AJ Birt, MA History

The Ringleader: Robert Catesby

Catesby, a Catholic, was upset by the lack of religious tolerance promised by James I. After a century of religious turmoil sparked by the Reformation, it was not too trendy to be Catholic. To change the winds, Catesby planned to assassinate the King as a precursor to a Catholic uprising that would place a new monarch on the throne. 

Notably, Catesby had already been involved in a Catholic rebellion. In 1601 he joined the tempestuous Earl of Essex in a short-lived uprising against Elizabeth I. 

Wounded in the fighting, fined by the queen, and arrested following Elizabeth’s death, Catesby’s rebellious spirit was not dampened. In 1603 he joined forces with Thomas Winter to encourage Philip III of Spain to invade England. While this plan did not come to fruition, Catesby knew he had an ally in Winter.

The First Meeting

In 1604, Catesby invited Winter to his house, beginning the discussion on reestablishing Catholicism in England. These early brainstorming sessions became the famous Gunpowder Plot. Also present was John Wright, another early ally of Catesby’s from the Essex Rebellion, and (of course) a Catholic.

Undeterred by the earlier lack of Spanish assistance, Winter was sent to Flanders to seek Spanish support for their plot. While there he recruited Guy Fawkes, soldier and Catholic and John Wright’s brother Christopher Wright. Both had been part of the 1603 emissary team that had asked for a Spanish invasion of England and in 1604 the pair returned, becoming formally embroiled in the plan from here on out.

The Plot Thickens…

Catesby, Winter, the two Wrights, and Fawkes. Together, they had an impressive history of rebellion and Catholic fervour - but 5 men would not be enough. 

Enter Thomas Percy. Percy was from a great aristocratic family (the Earls of Northumberland), and was employed by his cousin, the ninth Earl Henry Percy. Under his cousin Percy worked for King James, discussing the future of Catholics in England, and acting as one of the King’s bodyguards. Well-connected, and related to the Wrights through marriage, he was an easy pick to join the team.

The London Houses

Percy rented a building near the House of Lords in 1604. Fawkes posed as his servant, using the wonderfully obvious pseudonym ‘John Johnson’, and controlled the house. However, the king soon took over Percy’s London home for planning English and Scottish unification, and a new location was needed. 

Across the river, Catesby’s London residence was available. Gunpowder and supplies could be stored there and rowed across the river each night. Robert Keyes was appointed to look after the place. 

It was all coming together.

The Tunnel?

Plans were delayed as Parliament was closed. Fears of the plague delayed Parliament’s reopening until October 1605, instead of February, as expected. 

During this delay, the conspirators allegedly dug a tunnel beneath Parliament. Evidence for this comes from Thomas Winter’s confession. However, no other conspirators admitted to its existence.

March 1605

The delay allowed for more ne’er-do-wells to join the scheme. In December of 1604, Thomas Bates (Catesby’s servant) had become embroiled in the plot after accidentally discovering it. 

By March 1605, we know that Robert Winter (Thomas Winter’s brother) and John Grant were part of the team. Both were wealthy and well-connected Catholics who used their estates to shelter religious figures during times of unrest. 

Summer 1605

Gunpowder was purchased, and stored perilously close to Parliament. Parliament’s reopening was delayed once again - this time until Tuesday 5th November. 

The delay caused the gunpowder bought in early July to decay. Fawkes, discovering this, obtained more, keeping a watchful eye on their explosives. 

Winter 1605

The final three men were recruited unusually close to crunch time. Catesby persuaded fellow Midlands man Ambrose Rookwood to rent Clopton House, near Stratford-upon-Avon, as a hideout after the explosions. Everard Digby was recruited for similar reasons, this time renting Coughton Court, and also promising to help pay Percy’s rent for his London houses.

The final conspirator to be recruited was Francis Tresham. Cousin of Catesby, and fellow rebel, Tresham was recruited for his wealth.

However, Tresham had some worries about the plan. He was concerned about the morals of assassinating the King and worried for the safety of his brother-in-law, Lord Monteagle, who would likely be sitting in Parliament on the day of the explosion.

The Monteagle Letter

In late October 1605, a letter was sent to Lord Monteagle warning him of the incoming attack. It seems that while the plotters were finalising their plan - Fawkes to light the fuse then escape, while the others started a Catholic revolt in the Midlands - one member of the 13 treasonous Catholics was busy writing to let Parliament know what was happening. C. Northcote Parkinson (1976) argues that many of the conspirators were concerned for their connections in Parliament, citing Percy’s care for his cousin. 

While it is unknown who sent the letter, it is often assumed that Tresham was to blame. Horrible Histories certainly portrayed him as such, labelling Tresham ‘The Idiot’ in a child-friendly sketch on the event. 

The Monteagle Letter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Monteagle_letter.jpeg

This Bonfire Night, while others burn their Guys on the bonfire, may we perhaps suggest effigies of Catesby, Tresham, or Percy instead?