Editing Gunpowder Plot (section)

==Plot==
[[File:Eliz bohemia 2.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|alt=Painting|King James's daughter [[Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohemia|Elizabeth]], whom the conspirators planned to install on the throne as a Catholic queen. Portrait by [[Robert Peake the Elder]], [[National Maritime Museum]].]]
The conspirators' principal aim was to kill King James, but many other important targets would also be present at the State Opening of Parliament, including the monarch's nearest relatives and members of the [[Privy Council (United Kingdom)|Privy Council]]. The senior judges of the English legal system, most of the Protestant aristocracy, and the bishops of the Church of England would all have attended in their capacity as members of the House of Lords, along with the members of the [[House of Commons of England|House of Commons]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Northcote Parkinson|1976|p=46}}</ref> Another important objective was the kidnapping of the King's daughter, Elizabeth. Housed at [[Coombe Abbey]] near [[Coventry]], she lived only ten miles north of [[Warwick]]—convenient for the plotters, most of whom lived in the [[English Midlands|Midlands]]. Once the King and his Parliament were dead, the plotters intended to install Elizabeth on the English throne as a titular Queen. The fate of her brothers, Henry and Charles, would be improvised; their role in state ceremonies was, as yet, uncertain. The plotters planned to use [[Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland]], as Elizabeth's [[regent]], but most likely never informed him of this.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=140–142}}</ref>

===Initial recruitment===
[[Robert Catesby]] (1573–1605), a man of "ancient, historic and distinguished lineage", was the inspiration behind the plot. He was described by contemporaries as "a good-looking man, about six feet tall, athletic and a good swordsman". Along with several other conspirators, he took part in the [[Essex Rebellion]] in 1601, during which he was wounded and captured. Queen Elizabeth allowed him to escape with his life after fining him 4,000&nbsp;[[Mark (currency)#England and Scotland|marks]] (equivalent to more than £6&nbsp;million in 2008), after which he sold his estate in [[Chastleton]].{{efn|Comparing relative average earnings of £3,000 in 1601 with 2008.}}<ref name=MeasuringWorth /><ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|p=47}}</ref><ref name="NorthcotePP44-46" />

In 1603, Catesby helped to organise a mission to the new king of Spain, [[Philip III of Spain|Philip III]], urging Philip to launch an invasion attempt on England, which they assured him would be well supported, particularly by the English Catholics. [[Thomas Wintour]] (1571–1606) was chosen as the emissary, but the Spanish king, although sympathetic to the plight of Catholics in England, was intent on making peace with James.<ref>{{Harvnb|Northcote Parkinson|1976|pp=45–46}}</ref> Wintour had also attempted to convince the Spanish envoy Don [[Juan de Tassis, 1st Count of Villamediana|Juan de Tassis]] that "3,000 Catholics" were ready and waiting to support such an invasion.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|p=93}}</ref> Concern was voiced by [[Pope Clement VIII]] that using violence to achieve a restoration of Catholic power in England would result in the destruction of those that remained.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|p=90}}</ref>

According to contemporary accounts,{{efn|Some of the information in these accounts would have been given under pain or threat of torture, and may also have been subject to government interference, and should therefore be viewed with caution.}} in February 1604, Catesby invited Thomas Wintour to his house in [[Lambeth]], where they discussed Catesby's plan to re-establish Catholicism in England by blowing up the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament.<ref name="NorthcotePP44-46" /> Wintour was known as a competent scholar, able to speak several languages, and he had fought with the English army in the Netherlands.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|p=50}}</ref> His uncle, [[Francis Ingleby]], had been executed for being a Catholic priest in 1586, and Wintour later converted to Catholicism.<ref name="Fraserpp5961"/> Also present at the meeting was [[John and Christopher Wright|John Wright]], a devout Catholic said to be one of the best swordsmen of his day, and a man who had taken part with Catesby in the Earl of Essex's rebellion three years earlier.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|p=58}}</ref> Despite his reservations over the possible repercussions should the attempt fail, Wintour agreed to join the conspiracy, perhaps persuaded by Catesby's rhetoric: "Let us give the attempt and where it faileth, pass no further."<ref name="NorthcotePP44-46">{{Harvnb|Northcote Parkinson|1976|pp=44–46}}</ref>

Wintour travelled to [[Flanders]] to enquire about Spanish support. While there, he sought out Guy Fawkes (1570–1606), a committed Catholic who had served as a soldier in the [[Southern Netherlands]] under the command of [[William Stanley (Elizabethan)|William Stanley]], and in 1603 had been recommended for a captaincy.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=84–89}}</ref> Accompanied by John Wright's brother Christopher, Fawkes had also been a member of the 1603 delegation to the Spanish court pleading for an invasion of England. Wintour told Fawkes that "{{langx|en-emodeng|label=none|some good frends of his wished his company in Ingland}}", and that certain gentlemen "{{langx|en-emodeng|label=none|were uppon a resolution to doe some whatt in Ingland if the pece with Spain healped us nott}}". The two men returned to England late in April 1604, telling Catesby that Spanish support was unlikely. Thomas Percy, Catesby's friend and John Wright's brother-in-law, was introduced to the plot several weeks later.<ref name="ODNB Thomas Wintour"/><ref name="NorthcotePP46-47">{{Harvnb|Northcote Parkinson|1976|pp=46–47}}</ref>

Percy had found employment with his kinsman the Earl of Northumberland, and by 1596, was his agent for the family's northern estates. About 1600–1601 he served with his patron in the [[Low Countries]]. At some point during Northumberland's command in the Low Countries, Percy became his agent in his communications with James I.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=47–48}}</ref> Percy was reputedly a "serious" character who had converted to the Catholic faith. His early years were, according to a Catholic source, marked by a tendency to rely on "his sword and personal courage".<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|p=49}}; {{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|p=50}}</ref> Northumberland, although not a Catholic himself, planned to build a strong relationship with James I in order to better the prospects of English Catholics, and to reduce the family disgrace caused by his separation from his wife Martha Wright, a favourite of Elizabeth I.

Thomas Percy's meetings with James seemed to go well. Percy returned with promises of support for the Catholics,<!-- At the same time James was making similar noises to the Puritans p51 --> and Northumberland believed that James would go so far as to allow [[Mass in the Catholic Church|Mass]] in private houses, so as not to cause public offence. Percy, keen to improve his standing, went even further, claiming that the future king would guarantee the safety of English Catholics.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=50–52}}</ref>

===Initial planning===
[[File:The Gunpowder Plot Conspirators, 1605 from NPG.jpg|right|thumb|300px|alt=Engraving|A contemporary engraving of eight of the thirteen conspirators, by [[Crispijn van de Passe]]. Missing are Digby, Keyes, Rookwood, Grant, and Tresham.]]
The first meeting between the five conspirators took place on 20 May 1604, probably at the Duck and Drake Inn, just off [[Strand, London|the Strand]], Thomas Wintour's usual residence when staying in London. Catesby, Thomas Wintour, and John Wright were in attendance, joined by Guy Fawkes and Thomas Percy.<ref>{{Harvnb|Northcote Parkinson|1976|p=48}}</ref> Alone in a private room, the five plotters swore an oath of secrecy on a prayer book. By coincidence, and ignorant of the plot, John Gerard (a friend of Catesby's) was celebrating Mass in another room, and the five men subsequently received the [[Eucharist]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|p=120}}</ref><!-- p121, this coincidence would later be used against the Jesuits -->

===Further recruitment===
The adjournment of Parliament gave the conspirators, they thought, until February 1605 to finalise their plans. On 9 June 1604, Percy's patron, the Earl of Northumberland, appointed him to the [[Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms|Band of Gentlemen Pensioners]], a [[cavalry|mounted troop]] of 50&nbsp;bodyguards to the King. This role gave Percy reason to seek a base in London, and a small property near the Prince's Chamber owned by Henry Ferrers, a tenant of John Whynniard, was chosen. Percy arranged for the use of the house through Northumberland's agents, [[Dudley Carleton, 1st Viscount Dorchester|Dudley Carleton]] and [[John Hippisley (Parliamentarian)|John Hippisley]]. Fawkes, using the pseudonym "John Johnson", took charge of the building, posing as Percy's servant.<ref>{{Harvnb|Northcote Parkinson|1976|p=52}}</ref>

The building was occupied by Scottish commissioners appointed by the King to consider his plans for the unification of England and Scotland, so the plotters hired Catesby's lodgings in Lambeth, on the opposite bank of the Thames, from where their stored gunpowder and other supplies could be conveniently rowed across each night.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|pp=54–55}}</ref> Meanwhile, King James I continued with his policies against the Catholics, and Parliament pushed through anti-Catholic legislation, until its adjournment on 7 July.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=122–124}}</ref>

[[File:John rocque house of lords gunpowder plot cropped.jpg|right|thumb|250px|alt=The medieval House of Lords was part of a complex of buildings alongside the north bank of the River Thames, in London. The building which the plotters planned to destroy was at the southern end of the complex of Parliamentary buildings, alongside a minor alley that led to a staircase known as Parliament Stairs.|The House of Lords (highlighted in red) on [[John Rocque's Map of London, 1746|John Rocque's 1746 map of London]], within the [[Palace of Westminster#Old Palace|Old Palace of Westminster]]. The River Thames is to the right.]]
[[File:House of lords and princes chamber.jpg|right|thumb|250px|alt=A monochrome illustration of several short buildings clustered in a small space. A yard in the foreground is filled with detritus.|An early 19th-century illustration of the east end of the Prince's Chamber (extreme left) and the east wall of the House of Lords (centre)]]

Following their oath, the plotters left London and returned to their homes. 
The conspirators returned to London in October 1604, when [[Robert Keyes]], a "desperate man, ruined and indebted", was admitted to the group.<ref name=NorthcoteParkinsonP96>{{Harvnb|Northcote Parkinson|1976|p=96}}</ref> His responsibility was to take charge of Catesby's house in Lambeth, where the gunpowder and other supplies were to be stored. Keyes's family had notable connections; his wife's employer was the Catholic [[Henry Mordaunt, 4th Baron Mordaunt|Lord Mordaunt]]. He was tall, with a red beard, and was seen as trustworthy and—like Fawkes—capable of looking after himself. In December{{efn|According to his confession.}} Catesby recruited his servant, [[Thomas Bates]], into the plot,<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=130–132}}</ref> after the latter accidentally became aware of it.<ref name=NorthcoteParkinsonP96 />

It was announced on 24 December 1604 that the scheduled February re-opening of Parliament would be delayed. Concern over [[Second plague pandemic|the plague]] meant that rather than sitting in February, as the plotters had originally planned for, Parliament would not sit again until 3 October 1605. The contemporaneous account of the prosecution claimed that during this delay the conspirators were digging a tunnel beneath Parliament. This may have been a government fabrication, as no evidence for the existence of a tunnel was presented by the prosecution, and no trace of one has ever been found. The account of a tunnel comes directly from Thomas Wintour's confession,<ref name="ODNB Thomas Wintour"/> and Guy Fawkes did not admit the existence of such a scheme until his fifth interrogation. Logistically, digging a tunnel would have proved extremely difficult, especially as none of the conspirators had any experience of mining.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=133–134}}</ref> If the story is true, by 6 December 1604 the Scottish commissioners had finished their work, and the conspirators were busy tunnelling from their rented house to the House of Lords. They ceased their efforts when, during tunnelling, they heard a noise from above. The noise turned out to be the then-tenant's widow, who was clearing out the [[undercroft]] directly beneath the House of Lords—the room where the plotters eventually stored the gunpowder.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|pp=55–59}}</ref>

By the time the plotters reconvened at the start of the [[old style]] new year on [[Lady Day]], 25 March 1605, three more had been admitted to their ranks;<!-- admitted in January, Haynes p57 --> [[Robert and Thomas Wintour|Robert Wintour]], [[John Grant (Gunpowder Plot)|John Grant]], and [[John and Christopher Wright|Christopher Wright]]. The additions of Wintour and Wright were obvious choices. Along with a small fortune, Robert Wintour inherited [[Huddington Court]] (a known refuge for priests) near [[Worcester, England|Worcester]], and was reputedly a generous and well-liked man. A devout Catholic, he married Gertrude, the daughter of [[John Talbot of Grafton]], from a prominent Worcestershire family of recusants.<ref name="Fraserpp5961">{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=59–61}}</ref> Christopher Wright (1568–1605), John's brother, had also taken part in the Earl of Essex's revolt and had moved his family to [[Twigmore]] in [[Lincolnshire]], then known as something of a haven for priests.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=56–57}}; {{citation|last=Nelthorpe |first=Sutton |title=Twigmore and the Gunpowder Plot |journal=Lincolnshire Magazine |volume=2|issue=8 |date=November–December 1935 |page=229}}</ref> John Grant was married to Wintour's sister, Dorothy, and was [[lord of the manor]] of Norbrook near [[Stratford-upon-Avon]]. Reputed to be an intelligent, thoughtful man, he sheltered Catholics at his home at [[Snitterfield]], and was another who had been involved in the Essex revolt of 1601.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=136–137}}; {{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|p=57}}</ref>

===Undercroft===
In addition, 25 March was the day on which the plotters purchased the lease to the [[undercroft]] they had supposedly tunnelled near to, owned by John Whynniard. The [[Palace of Westminster]] in the early 17th century was a warren of buildings clustered around the medieval chambers, chapels, and halls of the former royal palace that housed both Parliament and the various royal law courts. The old palace was easily accessible; merchants, lawyers, and others lived and worked in the lodgings, shops and taverns within its precincts. Whynniard's building was along a right-angle to the House of Lords, alongside a passageway called Parliament Place, which itself led to Parliament Stairs and the [[River Thames]]. Undercrofts were common features at the time, used to house a variety of materials including food and firewood. Whynniard's undercroft, on the ground floor, was directly beneath the first-floor House of Lords, and may once have been part of the palace's medieval kitchen. Unused and filthy, its location was ideal for what the group planned to do.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=144–145}}</ref>

[[File:Capon map of parliament.jpg|left|thumb|250px|alt=The medieval complex of Parliamentary buildings was mapped by William Capon around the turn of the 18th century. This image shows a plan view of the ground floor levels, where each building is clearly described in text. Reference is made in the House of Lords undercroft, to Guy Fawkes.|William Capon's map of Parliament clearly labels the [[undercroft]] used by "Guy Vaux" to store the gunpowder.]]
[[File:Gunpowder plot parliament cellar.jpg|left|thumb|250px|alt=A monochrome illustration of a stone and brick-walled room. An open doorway is to the right. The left wall contains equally spaced arches. The right wall is dominated by a large brick arch. Three arches form the third wall, in the distance. The floor and ceiling is interrupted by regularly spaced hexagonal wooden posts. The ceiling is spaced by wooden beams.|The undercroft beneath the House of Lords, as illustrated in 1799. At about the same time it was described as 77&nbsp;feet long, 24&nbsp;feet and 4&nbsp;inches wide, and 10&nbsp;feet high.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|p=59}}</ref>]]
In the second week of June, Catesby met in London the principal [[Jesuit]] in England, [[Henry Garnet]], and asked him about the morality of entering into an undertaking which might involve the destruction of the innocent, together with the guilty. Garnet answered that such actions could often be excused, but according to his own account later admonished Catesby during a second meeting in July in Essex, showing him a letter from the pope which forbade rebellion. Soon after, the Jesuit priest [[Oswald Tesimond]] told Garnet he had taken Catesby's confession,{{efn|Haynes (2005) writes that Tesimond took Thomas Bates' confession.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|p=62}}</ref>}} in the course of which he had learnt of the plot. Garnet and Catesby met for a third time on 24 July 1605, at the house of the wealthy Catholic [[Anne Vaux]] in [[Enfield Chase]].{{efn|Anne Vaux was related to Catesby, and to most of the other plotters. Her home was often used to hide priests.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|pp=65–66}}</ref>}} Garnet decided that Tesimond's account had been given under the seal of the confessional, and that canon law therefore forbade him to repeat what he had heard.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|pp=62–65}}</ref> Without acknowledging that he was aware of the precise nature of the plot, Garnet attempted to dissuade Catesby from his course, to no avail.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|pp=65–67}}</ref> Garnet wrote to a colleague in Rome, [[Claudio Acquaviva]], expressing his concerns about open rebellion in England. He also told Acquaviva that "there is a risk that some private endeavour may commit treason or use force against the King", and urged the pope to issue a public brief against the use of force.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|p=158}}</ref>

According to Fawkes, 20&nbsp;barrels of gunpowder were brought in at first, followed by 16&nbsp;more on 20 July. The supply of gunpowder was theoretically controlled by the government, but it was easily obtained from illicit sources.<ref name="Fraserpp146147">{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=146–147}}</ref>{{efn|Gunpowder could be purchased on the black market from soldiers, militia, merchant vessels, and powdermills.<ref name="Fraserpp146147"/>}} On 28 July, the ever-present threat of the plague again delayed the opening of Parliament, this time until Tuesday 5 November. Fawkes left the country for a short time. The King, meanwhile, spent much of the summer away from the city, hunting. He stayed wherever was convenient, including on occasion at the houses of prominent Catholics. Garnet, convinced that the threat of an uprising had receded, travelled the country on a [[pilgrimage]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=159–162}}</ref>

It is uncertain when Fawkes returned to England, but he was back in London by late August, when he and Wintour discovered that the gunpowder stored in the undercroft had decayed. More gunpowder was brought into the room, along with firewood to conceal it.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|p=170}}</ref> The final three conspirators were recruited in late 1605. At [[Michaelmas]], Catesby persuaded the staunchly Catholic [[Ambrose Rookwood]] to rent [[Clopton House]] near Stratford-upon-Avon. Rookwood was a young man with recusant connections, whose stable of horses at [[Coldham Hall]] in [[Stanningfield]], [[Suffolk]] was an important factor in his enlistment. His parents, [[Robert Rookwood]] and [[Dorothea Drury]], were wealthy landowners, and had educated their son at a Jesuit school near [[Calais]]. [[Everard Digby]] was a young man who was generally well liked, and lived at [[Gayhurst House, Buckinghamshire|Gayhurst House]] in [[Buckinghamshire]]. He had been knighted by the King in April 1603, and was converted to Catholicism by Gerard. Digby and his wife, [[Mary Mulshaw]], had accompanied the priest on his pilgrimage, and the two men were reportedly close friends. Digby was asked by Catesby to rent [[Coughton Court]] near [[Alcester]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=159–162, 168–169}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=175–176}}</ref> Digby also promised £1,500 after Percy failed to pay the rent due for the properties he had taken in Westminster.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|p=80}}</ref> Finally, on 14 October Catesby invited [[Francis Tresham]] into the conspiracy.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=171–173}}</ref> Tresham was the son of the Catholic [[Thomas Tresham (died 1605)|Thomas Tresham]], and a cousin to Robert Catesby; the two had been raised together.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|p=110}}</ref> He was also the heir to his father's large fortune, which had been depleted by recusant fines, expensive tastes, and by Francis and Catesby's involvement in the Essex revolt.{{efn|Thomas Tresham had paid Francis's fine in full and part of Catesby's fine.}}<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=79–80, 110}}</ref>

Catesby and Tresham met at the home of Tresham's brother-in-law and cousin, [[Edward Stourton, 10th Baron Stourton|Lord Stourton]]. In his confession, Tresham claimed that he had asked Catesby if the plot would damn their souls, to which Catesby had replied it would not, and that the plight of England's Catholics required that it be done. Catesby also apparently asked for £2,000, and the use of [[Rushton Hall]] in [[Northamptonshire]]. Tresham declined both offers (although he did give £100 to Thomas Wintour), and told his interrogators that he had moved his family from Rushton to London in advance of the plot; hardly the actions of a guilty man, he claimed.<!-- guilty of concealment but not an active participant --><ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=173–175}}</ref>

===Monteagle letter<span class="anchor" id="Letter"></span>===
[[File:Monteagle letter.jpeg|right|thumb|300px|alt=A damaged and aged piece of paper, or parchment, with multiple lines of handwritten English text.|An anonymous letter, sent to William Parker, {{nowrap|4th Baron Monteagle}}, was instrumental in exposing the plot. Its author's identity has never been reliably established, although Francis Tresham has long been a suspect. Monteagle himself has been considered responsible,<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=182–185}}</ref> as has Salisbury.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|pp=85–86}}</ref>]]
The details of the plot were finalised in October, in a series of taverns across London and [[Daventry]].{{efn|The playwright [[Ben Jonson]] was present at one of these parties, and following the discovery of the plot was forced to work hard at distancing himself from the conspirators.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|p=179}}</ref>}} Fawkes would be left to light the fuse and then escape across the Thames, while simultaneously a revolt in the Midlands would help to ensure the capture of the King's daughter, Elizabeth. Fawkes would leave for the continent, to explain events in England to the European Catholic powers.<ref name="Fraser 1999 178–179">{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=178–179}}</ref>

The wives of those involved and [[Anne Vaux]] (a friend of Garnet who often shielded priests at her home) became increasingly concerned by what they suspected was about to happen.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|pp=78–79}}</ref> Several of the conspirators expressed worries about the safety of fellow Catholics who would be present in Parliament on the day of the planned explosion.<ref>{{Harvnb|Northcote Parkinson|1976|pp=62–63}}</ref> Percy was concerned for his patron, Northumberland, and the young [[Thomas Howard, 21st Earl of Arundel|Earl of Arundel]]'s name was brought up; Catesby suggested that a minor wound might keep him from the chamber on that day. The Lords Vaux, [[Anthony-Maria Browne, 2nd Viscount Montagu|Montagu]], [[William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle|Monteagle]], and Stourton were also mentioned. Keyes suggested warning Lord Mordaunt, his wife's employer, to derision from Catesby.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|p=82}}</ref>

On Saturday 26 October, Monteagle (Tresham's brother-in-law) arranged a meal in a long-disused house at [[Hoxton]]. Suddenly a servant appeared saying he had been handed a letter for Lord Monteagle from a stranger in the road. Monteagle ordered it to be read aloud to the company.

{{blockquote|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 your attendance at this parliament; for God and man hath concurred to punish the wickedness of this time. And think not slightly of this advertisement, but retire yourself into your country where you may expect the event in safety. For though there be no appearance 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 condemned because it may do you good and can do you no harm; for the danger is passed as soon as you have burnt the letter. And I hope God will give you the grace to make good use of it, to whose holy protection I commend you.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=179–180}}</ref>}}

Uncertain of the letter's meaning, Monteagle promptly rode to [[Whitehall]] and handed it to Cecil (then [[Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury|Earl of Salisbury]]).<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|p=89}}</ref> Salisbury informed the [[Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester|Earl of Worcester]], considered to have recusant sympathies, and the suspected Catholic [[Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton]], but kept news of the plot from the King, who was busy hunting in [[Cambridgeshire]] and not expected back for several days. Monteagle's servant, Thomas Ward, had family connections with the Wright brothers, and sent a message to Catesby about the betrayal. Catesby, who had been due to go hunting with the King, suspected that Tresham was responsible for the letter, and with Thomas Wintour confronted the recently recruited conspirator. Tresham managed to convince the pair that he had not written the letter, but urged them to abandon the plot.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=180–182}}</ref> Salisbury was already aware of certain stirrings before he received the letter, but did not yet know the exact nature of the plot, or who exactly was involved. He therefore elected to wait, to see how events unfolded.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=187–189}}</ref>

===Discovery===
The letter was shown to the King on the first of November following his arrival back in London. Upon reading it, James immediately seized upon the word "blow" and felt that it hinted at "some strategem of fire and powder",<ref>{{Harvnb|Northcote Parkinson|1976|p=70}}</ref> perhaps an explosion exceeding in violence the one that killed his father, [[Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley|Lord Darnley]], at [[Kirk o' Field]] in 1567.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|p=90}}</ref> Keen not to seem too intriguing, and wanting to allow the King to take the credit for unveiling the conspiracy, Salisbury feigned ignorance.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=193–194}}</ref> The following day members of the Privy Council visited the King at the [[Palace of Whitehall]] and informed him that, based on the information that Salisbury had given them a week earlier, on Monday the [[Lord Chamberlain]] [[Thomas Howard, 1st Earl of Suffolk]] would undertake a search of the Houses of Parliament, "both above and below". On Sunday 3 November, Percy, Catesby and Wintour had a final meeting, where Percy told his colleagues that they should "abide the uttermost triall", and reminded them of their ship waiting at anchor on the Thames.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|p=92}}</ref>

By 4 November, Digby was ensconced with a "hunting party" at [[Dunchurch]], ready to abduct Elizabeth.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=196–197}}</ref> The same day, Percy visited the [[Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland|Earl of Northumberland]]—who was uninvolved in the conspiracy—to see if he could discern what rumours surrounded the letter to Monteagle. Percy returned to London and assured Wintour, John Wright, and Robert Keyes that they had nothing to be concerned about, and returned to his lodgings on Gray's Inn Road. That same evening Catesby, likely accompanied by John Wright and Bates, set off for the Midlands. Fawkes visited Keyes, and was given a [[pocket watch]] left by Percy, to time the fuse, and an hour later Rookwood received several engraved swords from a local [[Cutlery|cutler]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=199–201}}</ref>

[[File:Guy fawkes henry perronet briggs.jpg|thumb|right|alt=In a stone-walled room, several armed men physically restrain another man, who is drawing his sword.|''The Discovery of the Gunpowder Plot and the Taking of Guy Fawkes'' (c.&nbsp;1823) by [[Henry Perronet Briggs]].]]
[[File:Guyfawkeslantern.jpg|thumb|right|The lantern which Guy Fawkes used during the plot.]]

Although two accounts of the number of searches and their timing exist, according to the King's version, the first search of the buildings in and around Parliament was made on Monday 4 November—as the plotters were busy making their final preparations—by Suffolk, Monteagle, and John Whynniard. They found a large pile of firewood in the undercroft beneath the House of Lords, accompanied by what they presumed to be a serving man (Fawkes), who told them that the firewood belonged to his master, Thomas Percy. They left to report their findings, at which time Fawkes also left the building. The mention of Percy's name aroused further suspicion as he was already known to the authorities as a Catholic agitator. The King insisted that a more thorough search be undertaken. Late that night, the search party, headed by [[Thomas Knyvet, 1st Baron Knyvet|Thomas Knyvet]], returned to the undercroft. They again found Fawkes, dressed in a cloak and hat, and wearing boots and spurs. He was arrested, whereupon he gave his name as John Johnson. He was carrying a lantern now held in the [[Ashmolean Museum]], [[Oxford]],<ref>{{citation |url=http://britisharchaeology.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/highlights/guy-fawkes-lantern.html |last=MacGregor |first=Arthur |date=January 2012 |title=Guy Fawkes's Lantern |work=British Archaeology at the Ashmolean Museum |publisher=britisharchaeology.ashmus.ox.ac.uk |at=Tradescant Gallery, Gallery 27, First Floor, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, England |accessdate=19 October 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141107194310/http://britisharchaeology.ashmus.ox.ac.uk/highlights/guy-fawkes-lantern.html |archivedate=7 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a search of his person revealed a pocket watch, several [[slow match]]es and touchwood.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=201–203}}</ref> Thirty-six barrels of gunpowder were discovered hidden under piles of [[Faggot (unit)|faggots]] and coal.<ref>{{Harvnb|Northcote Parkinson|1976|p=73}}</ref> Fawkes was taken to the King early on the morning of 5 November.<ref>{{Harvnb|Haynes|2005|pp=94–95}}</ref>

===Flight===
As news of "John Johnson's" arrest spread among the plotters still in London, most fled northwest, along [[Watling Street]]. Christopher Wright and Thomas Percy left together. Rookwood left soon after, and managed to cover 30&nbsp;miles in two hours on one horse. He overtook Keyes, who had set off earlier, then Wright and Percy at [[Little Brickhill]], before catching Catesby, John Wright, and Bates on the same road. Reunited, the group continued northwest to Dunchurch, using horses provided by Digby. Keyes went to Mordaunt's house at [[Drayton, Northamptonshire|Drayton]]. Meanwhile, Thomas Wintour stayed in London, and even went to Westminster to see what was happening. When he realised the plot had been uncovered, he took his horse and made for his sister's house at Norbrook, before continuing to [[Huddington Court]].{{efn|[[Robert and Thomas Wintour|Robert Wintour]] inherited [[Huddington Court]] near [[Worcester, England|Worcester]], along with a small fortune. The building became a refuge for priests, and secret Masses were often celebrated there.<ref name="Fraserpp5961"/>}}<ref name="Fraserpp203206">{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=203–206}}</ref>

{{Quote box
| quote = On the 5th of November we began our Parliament, to which the King should have come in person, but refrained through a practise but that morning discovered. The plot was to have blown up the King at such time as he should have been set on his Royal Throne, accompanied with all his Children, Nobility and Commoners and assisted with all Bishops, Judges and Doctors; at one instant and blast to have ruin'd the whole State and Kingdom of England. And for the effecting of this, there was placed under the Parliament House, where the king should sit, some 30&nbsp;barrels of powder, with good store of wood, faggots, pieces and bars of iron.
| source = Extract of a letter from Sir Edward Hoby ([[Gentleman of the Bedchamber]]) to Sir Thomas Edwards, Ambassador at Brussells {{sic}}<ref>{{Harvnb|Nichols|1828|p=584}}</ref>
| align = left
| width = 33%
}}

The group of six conspirators stopped at [[Ashby St Ledgers]] at about 6&nbsp;pm, where they met Robert Wintour and updated him on their situation. They then continued on to Dunchurch, and met with Digby. Catesby convinced him that despite the plot's failure, an armed struggle was still a real possibility. He announced to Digby's "hunting party" that the King and Salisbury were dead, before the fugitives moved west to Warwick.<ref name="Fraserpp203206"/>

In London, news of the plot was spreading, and the authorities set extra guards on the [[London Wall|city gates]], closed the ports, and protected the house of the Spanish Ambassador, which was surrounded by an angry mob. An arrest warrant was issued against Thomas Percy, and his patron, the Earl of Northumberland, was placed under house arrest.<ref name="Fraserp226">{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|p=226}}</ref> In "John Johnson's" initial interrogation he revealed nothing other than the name of his mother, and that he was from [[Yorkshire]]. A letter to Guy Fawkes was discovered on his person, but he claimed that name was one of his aliases. Far from denying his intentions, "Johnson" stated that it had been his purpose to destroy the King and Parliament.{{efn|As King James put it, Fawkes intended the destruction "not only&nbsp;... of my person, nor of my wife and posterity also, but of the whole body of the State in general".<ref>{{Harvnb|Stewart|2003|p=219}}</ref>}} Nevertheless, he maintained his composure and insisted that he had acted alone. His unwillingness to yield so impressed the King that he described him as possessing "a Roman resolution".<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=207–209}}</ref>{{Clear}}

===Investigation===
[[File:A Torture Rack.jpg|thumb|right|upright|alt=Photo|A [[Rack (torture)|torture rack]] in the Tower of London]]
On 6 November, the Lord Chief Justice, Sir [[John Popham (judge)|John Popham]] (a man with a deep-seated hatred of Catholics) questioned Rookwood's servants. By the evening he had learned the names of several of those involved in the conspiracy: Catesby, Rookwood, Keyes, Wynter{{sic|nolink=y}}, John and Christopher Wright, and Grant. "Johnson" meanwhile persisted with his story, and along with the gunpowder he was found with,{{efn|The gunpowder was moved to the [[Tower of London]], where it was described as "decayed".<ref name="Fraserp226"/>}} was moved to the [[Tower of London]], where the King had decided that "Johnson" would be [[torture]]d.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=211–212}}</ref> The use of torture was forbidden, except by royal prerogative or a body such as the [[Privy Council of England|Privy Council]] or [[Star Chamber]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Scott|1940|p=87}}</ref> In a letter of 6 November James wrote: "The gentler tortours [tortures] are to be first used unto him, {{lang|la|et sic per gradus ad ima tenditur}} [and thus by steps extended to the bottom depths], and so God speed your good work."<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|p=215}}</ref> "Johnson" may have been placed in [[manacles]] and hung from the wall, but he was almost certainly subjected to the horrors of the [[Rack (torture)|rack]]. On 7 November his resolve was broken; he confessed late that day, and again over the following two days.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=216–217}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Scott|1940|p=89}}</ref>

===Last stand===
On 6 November, with Fawkes maintaining his silence, the fugitives raided [[Warwick Castle]] for supplies, then continued to Norbrook to collect weapons. From there they continued their journey to Huddington. Bates left the group and travelled to [[Coughton Court]] to deliver a letter from Catesby, to Garnet and the other priests, informing them of what had transpired, and asking for their help in raising an army. Garnet replied by begging Catesby and his followers to stop their "wicked actions", before himself fleeing. Several priests set out for Warwick, worried about the fate of their colleagues. They were caught, and then imprisoned in London. Catesby and the others arrived at Huddington early in the afternoon, and were met by Thomas Wintour. They received practically no support or sympathy from those they met, including family members, who were terrified at the prospect of being associated with treason. They continued on to [[Holbeche House]] on the border of [[Staffordshire]], the home of Stephen Littleton, a member of their ever-decreasing band of followers. Whilst there, Stephen Littleton and Thomas Wintour went to Pepperhill, the [[Shropshire]] residence at [[Boningale]] of Robert Wintour's father-in-law [[John Talbot of Grafton|John Talbot]], to gain support, but to no avail.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/talbot-john-1545-611 |title=TALBOT, John (1545-611), of Grafton, Worcs. |publisher=The History of Parliament |accessdate=25 April 2015}}</ref> Tired and desperate, they spread out some of the now-soaked gunpowder in front of the fire, to dry out. Although gunpowder does not explode unless physically contained, a spark from the fire landed on the powder and the resultant flames engulfed Catesby, Rookwood, Grant, and a man named Morgan, who was a member of the hunting party.<ref>{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=218–222}}</ref>

Thomas Wintour and Littleton, on their way from Huddington to Holbeche House, were told by a messenger that Catesby had died. At that point, Littleton left, but Thomas arrived at the house to find Catesby alive, albeit scorched. John Grant was not so lucky, and had been blinded by the fire. Digby, Robert Wintour and his half-brother John, and Thomas Bates, had all left. Of the plotters, only the singed figures of Catesby and Grant, the Wright brothers, Rookwood, and Percy remained. The fugitives resolved to stay in the house and wait for the arrival of the King's men.<ref name="Fraserpp222225">{{Harvnb|Fraser|2005|pp=222–225}}</ref>

[[Richard Walsh (English politician)|Richard Walsh]] ([[High Sheriff of Worcestershire|Sheriff of Worcestershire]]) and his company of 200&nbsp;men besieged Holbeche House on the morning of 8 November. Thomas Wintour was hit in the shoulder while crossing the courtyard. John Wright was shot, followed by his brother, and then Rookwood. Catesby and Percy were reportedly killed by a single lucky shot. The attackers rushed the property, and stripped the dead or dying defenders of their clothing. Grant, Morgan, Rookwood, and Wintour were arrested.<ref name="Fraserpp222225"/>