of Valence were executed seven and fifty persons whereof the greater part were Burgesses of the City only because they clave to the true faith of Iesus Christ This slaughter was distributed into thrée severall dayes Ten were beheaded on Munday the foure and twentieth day of Ianuary twenty on Tuesday following and the other twenty the day after that ane so the seven in their order after the rest not without much astonishment and lamentations of the poore people with the remainder of the Burgesses of that City ¶ A notable cruelty executed upon a good woman called Perrette Curtet in the yere 1569. AS she was travelling from Orleance to a place called Moutagris where she intended to méet her husband called Master Authony Chaâ—ornter des Meringes who had escaped the fury of his enemies she being in her Inne at supper two or thrée desperate villaines knocked at the dore and comming in asked of the said Curtet Art thou not Meringes wife shée answered yes Then rapping forth execrable blasphemies they said thou art she whom we looke for This done they stripped her into her smocke tooke away her montes and rings from her and brought her to the river side where after great blasphemies they said confesse thée The woman answered Séeing I must die give me leave to call upon God first They deriding her said Prap then let us heare what kind of prayer thou wilt make She having in her prayers commended her soule to God one of them sware Gods death is this all wilt thou say nothing else Then said one of them to another Let us cast her into the river which they agréed to doe some taking her by the head and others by the héels and so throwing her in heaped great pieces of yce upon her to cause her to sink and then went their way But understanding that the poore woman had got upon a great flake of yce to save her selfe thereon Peter Gouge returned who was one of the murtherers and had betrayed her into the hands of the rest notwithstanding her husband had covenanted with him to convey her to him in safety this Gouge I say finding her there gave her a deaths wound the which had never come to light had not the said Gouge confessed the same being imprisoned by the Duchesse of Ferrare for that very fact yet escaped he unpunished contrary to the law of Provosts albeit hée was sent to the Provost Marshall of Montagris to that end and was set at liberty for the hatred which these bare against the Doctrine of the Gospell whereof the said des Meringes was a Minister Now the dead body floating to and fro upon the water rested no where untill it came over against the lodging where the said des Meringes lay as if it had there demanded erecution of justice upon the offenders where being known and conveyed thence was buryed by some of the assembly who yet remained in the City ¶ Another cruelty committed in Orleance about the same time A Woman in the City of Orleance was constrained by the murtherers who broke in upon her husband in the night to stand and hold the candle to them whilest they murshered him ¶ Of the comming of the Queene of Navarre to the City of Paris in France with the manner of her sickenesse and death there BEfore I come to noâ—â—tion the bloudy Messacres of France especially that of Paris anno 1572. which made way to all the rest I cannot Anno 1572. omit to place here as an entrance thereunto the history of that noble and vertuous Lady Iane de Albert Quéene of Navarre because it containes much matter worthy of due observation This good Queene before she could be drawn to come to Paris to solemnise the mariage of her son the Prince of Navarre with the sister of Charles the ninth then King of France received letters upon letters from the said King to accompany the Prince her son in that solemnity now wheras she cast some doubts touching her sonnes mariage with one of another religion the King assured her that all things should be so wrought as should give her good satisfaction and content promising that he would get a dispensation from the Pope Pope Pius whilest he lived could by no means endure to heare of or give his coâ—senâ— to this mariage but he died then way was made for this mariage to bee concluded to that end But when the Quéen understood that the King was minded to have this marriage solenmized at Paris she would by no means heare of it for I will not said she put any confidence in that so mutinous a people being the sworne enemies both of my selfe and mind Still the King persisted in his sute for the obtaining of the same at her hands Also having intelligence by some of his agents that the quéen of Navarre began a little to waver he sollicited her yet once againe to come assuring her that all things should be caried in such peaceable sort that she should have no cause to complaine At length the Quéene came from Rochell to Bloyes in the moneth of March 1572. with great attendance where it is incredible to thinke what welcome she had on all sides especially from the King his brethren c. who yet when all was done could say to his Mother Now Madam have I not quit my selfe well Let me alone and I will bring them all into the net In Aprill following were the Articles concluded concerning the mariage of the Prince of Navarre with the Kings sister In the beginning of May the King wooes the Quéene of Navarre again to come to Paris for preparing of things fitting for this mariage which she accordingly yéelded unto and parting from Bloyes on the sixth of the said moneth came to Paris on the fifteenth of the same After which she went from place to place in the City into sundry houses and shops to finde out such things as might tend to the adorning of the day of so great a solemnity The queÌ„ene mother could by no means brooke this good Quéene and therefore not finding with what colour she could dispatch her with the rest and yet fearing the height of her spirit if shée should survive as also that she could not then so worke upon the flexibility of the Prince her sonne as she intended she consulted with one Rene whose practise it was to impoyson things who by such meanes adventured to poyson the Prince of Conde by the sent of a poysoned apple which upon some suspition was first tryed upon a dog and it had almost cost the Princes chirurgion his life by smelling too nigh thereto This Rene selling to the Quéen of Navarre his perfumed drugs found the way how to poyson her therewith although others thought the contrary But the said Rene was heard afterwards to make his brags that hée had the like in store for two or thrée more who suspected no such matter On Wednesday the fourth of Iune the Quéen
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 off his 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 being 〈◊〉 up 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—â—â—â—nels throughout the stréets he was at 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where they 〈◊〉 him by the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some 〈◊〉 were well 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 body of the Admirall â—he which they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that doe she 〈◊〉 what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they could nver find it out but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—o as they were â—aine to 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 and hung that up in stead of the body it self rather than none at all ¶ Here as in fittest place is briefly related the sentence which the Court of Parliament in Paris denounced against Gasper Coligne Admirall of France after hee was massacred as you have formerly heard viz. 1 FIrst That for his conspiracy practised against the King and the State in the yeare 1572 the said Court hath condemned him of high treason 2 That his memory shall bee utterly rased out 3 If his body or any figure thereof shall bee taken that the same shall be first drawne upon a hurdle to the place called Le Grene and there hanged upon a Gibbet by the Executioner 4 After which a Gibbet shall be set up at Mountfaucon and he there to be hanged up in the most eminent place thereof 5 His annes and armor to be drawne at an horse taile through the stréets of the said City of Paris and other Cities where they should bée found and there by the Minister of Iustice to be broken and battered in pieces in signe of his perpetuall ignominy 6 All his goods and possessions to be forfeited to the Kings use 7 All his children to be pronounced ignoble as also held unworthy and uncapable of any honor or dignities whatsoever 8 His house and castle of Chastillon upon the Loin with the base Court and all appurtenances thereunto appertaining to be defaced and demolished to the ground 9 Then in the said place this sentence shall be set up engraven in brasse 10 Lastly that on the foure and twentieth of August 1572 generall processions be made throgh the City of Paris by way of thanksgiving to God for this punishment inflicted upon the conspirator Pronounced and executed in Paris the seven and twentieth and nine and twentieth of October Anno 1572. Signe Malon At Rome solemn masses were sung and thanks Great joy at Rome for these sorrowfull events rendred to God for the good successe which the Roman Catholiques had obsained in massacring the Huguenots At night in token of joy and gladned were made many great bonfires in sundry places And as the report went the Cardinal of Lorraine gave a thousand Crownes to him that brought this desired newes unto him Touching whose death I will here insert that which I finde written of it The Cardinall of Lorraine a principall pillar A note touching the maner of the Cardinall of Lorrains Death in the house of Guise a crafty and cruell persecutor of the reformed churches soone after the raigne of Henry the third brother of Charles the ninth in the yeare 1574 died at Avignon frantique at the houre of whose death there hapned such a horrible tempest in the aire that all stood amased at it The people observing how it fell out in one of the chiefe Cities where Popery bare the sway thought it the more remarkable not sticking to say that this wise worldling who had enriched himselfe beyond measure by execcrable practises received now in the prime of his youth and in the top of his hopes the just reward of all his wicked procéedings it being not possible that a soul so replenished with iniquity could depart quietly But those of the Religion added That in this his so sudden departure shined the wonderfull providence of God in that one of the Popes great supporters comming to Avignon with a purpose to arme the King of France and Polonia against the Christian assemblies out of a vaine confidence thinking that at his onely word and threat the Prince would be perswaded to overthrow all it should fall out so contrary to his expectation that the master builder and upholder of violent and bloudy counsels must now in the middest of his triumphs come to so fearefull and miserable an end That he who bent all his wits to crosse the counsell and wisedome of God should at an instant in this City be smitten with frensie To give warning to all that there is no wisedome or counsell against the Lord who blasteth the ripest wits when they dare to oppose him there with But now to returne againe to the matter where wée left The same day that the Admirall was hurt the King advised the King of Navarre his brother in law to lodge in his chamber with ten or twelve of his trustiest servants to protect him from the designes of the Duke of Guise whom he called an unhappy boy The Admirall as it séemeth somewhat before his death made his will in which he gave the king counsell that he should not give his brethren over great portions The Quéen Mother hearing this and reading the same to the Duke of Alencon the Kings brother Now you sée saith she the heart of your friend the Admirall whom you so much loved and respected The Duke answered I know not how much he loved me but I well perceive by this how much he loved the King The English Embassador made almost the like The Admiral a loving and loyall servant to his Prince and Country answer when the said Quéene told him How the Admirall had advised the King not to trust the English too farre Indéed Madam saith he hereby it appeared that though he bare but little good will to the English yet he manifested himselfe a loyall servant to the Crowne of France The Sieur de Brion Governour of the little Brion governour to the Prince of Condes son massacred Marquesse Conde sonne to the late Prince of Conde hearing these stirres taking his little master even in his shirt thinking to convey him somewhere out of the way met these murtherers who plucking from him the said yong prince massacred the old man in his presence whilest the Prince with teares intreated them to spare his Governour But they died his white haires in his owne bloud and then barbarously dragged him through the mire This Sunday morning all that were popishly Ten thousand massacred within three dates in the City of Paris c. affected tooke liberty to kill and spoyle if being credibly reported That the number of the slaine that day and two other daies following in the City of Paris and in the Suburbs did amount to above ten thousand counting Lords Gentlemen Presidents Counsellors Advocates Lawyers Schollers Physitians Merchants Tradesmen Women Maids and Children The stréets were covered with dead bodies the river was died with bloud the gates and entrance into the Kings palace painted with the same colour but the bloud-thirsty were
not yet satisfied But going from house to house with their associats Anno 1569. where they thought to find any Huguenots they brake open the doores then cruelly murthered whomsoever they met sparing neither sex nor age The pretence was this Report was raised there that a treason of the Huguenots was discovered who had conspired to kill the King his Mother his brethren having already killed fifteene of the guard Carts were laden with dead bodies of yong maidens women men and children which were discharged into the river covered in a maner all over with the slain and dyed red with their bloud which also streamed down the stréets from sudry parts thereof whereat the Courtezans laughed their fill saying That the warres were now ended and that hereafter they should live in peace c. But it would take up too much time to recite all the lamentable passages of this so sad and tuefull a tragedy ¶ This with some others which follow belonging to this History because they could not bee omitted are here under inserted TO begin then with Monsieur Pierre de la Place President of the Court of Requests whose story we will relate somewhat at large because his singular piety requires the same On Sunday morning about six of the clock one called Captaine Michael harquebusier of the king came into his lodging into which he had the more easie accesse for divers private respects This Captaine being armed having a harquebuse This was a token by which the murtherers were distinguished form others on his shoulder apâ—stoll at his girdle and his handkerchiefe tyed about his left arme presenting himself before the said De la Place the first words he spake were that the Duke of Guise had slaine the Admirall by the Kings appointment with many Huguenots besides and because the rest of them of what quality soever were destinated to death he was come to his lodging to exempt him from the common destruction onely he desired to have a sight of that gold and silver which was in the house The Lord de la Place somwhat amased at the audacious malapartnesse of the man who in the midst of ten or twelve persons which were there present in the roome durst presume to utter such language askt him if he knew where he was or whether he thought there was a King or no To this the Captaine blaspheming answered that he willed him to goe with him to know the kings pleasure The said Lord de la Place hearing this fearing also some danger to be towards by sedition in the City slipped forth at a backe doore behind his lodging purposing to get into a neighbors house In the meane while most of his servants vanished out of sight and this Captaine having stored himselfe with a thousand crowns was intreated by the Lady Marets daughter to the said Lord to convey her father with the Lord Marets her husband into the house of some Romane Catholike which he consented to doe and also performed it After this de la Place being refused at thrée severall houses was constrained to retire backe againe into his own where he found his wife very pensive and grieved beyond measure fearing lest this Captaine in the end would cast her sonne in law and daughter into the river as also for the imminent danger wherein her deare husband and all his family were But the said Lord de la Place being strengthened by the spirit of God with incredible constancy in the inner man sharply rebuked her and afterwards mildely demonstrated unto her that we must receive these and the like afflictions from the hand of God and so having discoursed a while upon the promises of God comforted her Then he commanded such servants and maids as remained in the house to be called togeher who being come into his Chamber according to his custome on the Lords dayes he made a forme of exhortation to his family then went to prayer and began to read a Chapter out of the booke of Iob with the exposition or sermon of Master Iohn Calvin upon it So having spoken somewhat of Gods mercy and justice which as a good and wise father useth to exercise his elect with sundry chastisements lest they should bée intangled here below with the things of this World he shewed how néedfull afflictions were for Christians and that it was beyond the power of Satan or men to hurt or wrong them unlesse the Lord of his good pleasure gave them leave What néed have we then said he to dread their authority which at the most can but prevaile over our bodies Then he went to prayer againe preparing himselfe and his whole family rather to endure all sorts of torments yea death it selfe than to speake or doe ought that might tend to the dishonour of God Having finished his prayer word was brought him that Senecay the Provost Marihall with many archers were at the doore of his lodging commanding the same to be opened in the Kings name saying that he came to secure the person of the Lord de la Place and to preserve his house from being pillaged by the common sort The Lord de la Place having intelligence of this spéech commanded the doore to be opened to him who entring in declared the great slaughter that was made upon the Huguenots every where in the city by the Kings command adding this withall in Latine that he would not suffer one to live Qui mingat ad Parietem Yet have I expresse charge from his Majesty saith he to sée that you shall sustaine no wrong but only conduct you to the Louvre because the King is desirous to be informed touching many things about the affairs of those of the Religion which he hath now in hand and therfore willed him to make himself ready to goe to his Majesty The Lord de la Place answered That he alwaies thought himselfe happy before he left this life to gaine any opportunity by which hée might render an account to his Majesty of his behaviour and actions But in regard such horrible Massacres were every where committed it was impossible for him to passe to the Louvre without the certaine danger of his person praying him to assure his Majesty of his willingnesse to come the whilest leaving in his lodging as many Archers as hee thought fitting untill the fury of theâ— people was somewhat pacified The Provost agréed to his request and left with him one of his Lieutenants called Toute Voye with some foure of his archers Not long after comes into his lodging Prestdent Charron then provost of the merchants with whom conferring a little in secret going his way he left with the foure archers which were there before foure more of the city archers The whole night following was spent in stopping up and fortifying of all passages from entring the house with logs and provision of Flint-stones damming up the windowes so as if séemed by this so exact and diligent a defence the
much urged this expedition Yet others disliked this counsell as a matter of great difficulty and danger of long time of much labor of great expence and uncertaine successe And that neither secretly nor openly it could be performed and easily hindered by the English These thought that with the same labour and expences England might be won and the victory would be sure if a well prepared army from Spaine might with a strong Navy be landed on Thames â—oe and of a sudden surprise London the chiefe City by an unexpected assault This séemed a thing most easie to be effected The Duke of Parma also in Flanders by the The Duke of Parma plays his part commandement of the Spaniard built ships and a great company of small broad vessels each one able to transport thirty horse with bridges fitted for them severally And hired mariners from the East part of Germany And provided long pieces of wood sharpened at the end and covered with yron with hooks on the one side And twenty thousand vessels with an huge number of fagots and placed an army ready in Flanders of an 103. companies of foot and foure thousand horsemen Among these were seven hundred English fugitives which were had of all other in most contempt Neither was Stanley respected or heard who was set over the English nor Westmerland nor any other who offered their help but for their impiety towards their owne countrey were shut out from all consultations and as men unominous rejected not without detestation And Pope Sixtus the fifth that in such a purpose would not be wanting sent Cardinall Alan into The Pope excommunicates the Queen c. Flanders and renued the Buls declaratory of Pius 5. and Gregory the thirtéenth He excommunicateth the Quéen deposeth her absolveth her subjects from all allegiance and as if it had béen against the Turks and Infidels he set forth in print a Conceat wherein he bestowed plenary indulgences out of the treasure of the Church besides a million of gold or ten hundred thousand Duckats to be distributed the one half in hand the other halfe when either England or some famous haven therein should be won upon all them that would joyne their helpe against England By which meanes the Marquesse of Burgain of the house of Austria the Duke of Pastrana Armady Duke of Savoy Vespasian Gonzaga Id. Medices and divers other noblemen were drawn into these wars Quéene Elizabeth that she might not be surprised at unawares prepared as great a Navy as she could and with singular care and providence maketh ready all things necessary for war And she her selfe which was ever most judicious in discerning of mens wits and aptnesse and The Queen selects out such able and servâ—ceable men as were fitâ— est to undertake so great implosment most happy in making choice when she made it out of her owne judgement and not at the commandement of others dâ—signed the best and most serviceable to each severall imployment Over the whole Navy she appointed the Lord Admirall Charles Howard in whom shee reposed much trust and sent him to the West parts of England where Captaine Drake whom she made Viceadmirall joyned with him She commanded Henry Seimor the second sonne to the Duke of Somerset to watch upon the Belgicke shore with forty English and Dutch shippes that the Duke of Parma might not come out with his forces Albeit some were of opinion that the enemy was to be expected and set upon by land forces according as it was upon deliveration resolved in the time of Henry the eighth when the French brought a great Navy upon the English shore For the land fight there were placed on the Order taken about the land fight South shores twenty thousand And two armies besides were mustered of the choicest men for war The one of these which consisted of 1000 horse twenty two thousand foot was the Earle of Leicester set over and camped at Tilbury on the side of Thames For the enemy was resolved first to set upon London The other army was governed by the Lord Hunsdon consisting of thirty foure thousand foot and two thousand horse to guard the Quéene The Lord Grey Sir Francis Knolles Sir Iohn Norice Sir Richard Bingham Sir Roger Williams men famously knowne for military experience were chosen to conferre of the land fight These thought fit that all those places should be fortified with men and munition which were commodious to land in either out of Spaine or out of Flanders as Milford haven Falmouth Plimmouth Portland the Isle of Wight Portsmouth the open side of Kent called the Downes the mouth of Thames Harwich Yarmouth Hul c. That trained souldiers through all the maritime provinces should méet upon warning given to defend these places that they should by their best meanes and power hinder the enemy to take land if he should take land then should they wast the Countrey all about and spoyle every thing that might be of any use to the enemy that so hee might find no more victuals then what he brought upon his shoulders with him And that by continuall alarums the enemy should find no rest day or night But they should not try any battell untill divers Captaines were met together with their companies That one Captaine might be named in every shire which might command Two yeares before the Duke of Parma considering how hard a matter it was to end the Belgicke A Counsell about peace pretended on the adversaries part whilest they intended to make war warre so long as it was continually nourished and supported with ayde from the Quéene he moved for a treaty of peace by the meanes of Sir Iames Croft one of the privy Counsell a man deshous of peace and Andrew Loe a Dutchman and professed that the Spaniard had delegated authority to him for this purpose But the Quéene fearing that there was some cunning in this séeking of peace that the friendship betwéene her and the confederate Princes might bee dissolved and that so they might secretly be drawne to the Spantard she deferred that treaty for some time But now that the wans on both sides prepared might be turned away shee was content to treat of peace It is the honor of a King saith Solomon to search out a thing Delegats sent into Flanders about a treaty of peace but so as still holding the weapons in her hand For this purpose in February Delegats were sent into Flanders the Earle of Darby the Lord Cobham Sir Iames Croft Doctor Dale and doctor Rogers These were received with all humanity on the Dukes behalfe and they presently sent Doctor Dale to him that a place might be appointed for their treating and that they might see the authority delegated to him by the Spanish King Hee appointed the place néere to Ostend not in Ostend which then was holdeÌ„ of English against the King His authority delegated he promised then to shew when they were once met together Hee wished
though he séemed so to neglect it to his Majesty yet his customable and watchfull care of the King and the State still bolling within him And having with the blessed Virgin Mary laid up in Anno 1605. his heart the Kings so strange judgement and construction of it he could not be at rest till hée acquainted the foresaid Lords what had passed between the King and him in private Whereupon they were all so earnest to renew againe the memory of the same purpose unto his Majesty as it was agréed that he should the next day being Saturday repaire to his Highnesse which he did in the said privy Gallery and renewed the memory thereof the Lord Chamberlaine The determination to search the Parliament house and the rooius under it then being present with the King At what time it was determined That the said L. Chamberlaine should according to his custome and office view all the parliament houses both above and below and consider what likelihood or appearance of any such danger might possibly be gathered by the sight of them but yet as well for staying of idle rumors as for being the more able to discern any mystery the nearer that things were in readinesse his journey thither was ordained to be deferred till the afternoone before the sitting downe of the Parliament which was upon the Munday following At what time he according to this conclusion went to the Parliament house accompanied with my Lord Mountegle being in zeale to the Kings service earnest and curious to sée the event of that accident whereof he had the fortune to be the first discoverer where having viewed all Wood and coale found by the L. Chamberlaine in the Vault the lower roomes he found in the vault under the upper house great store and provision of billets fagois and coales and inquiring of Whyneard kéeper of the Wardrobe to what use he had put those lower roomes and cellars he told him that Thomas Percy had hired both the house and part of the Cellar or Vault under the same and that the wood and coale under which were hidden thirty sixe barrels of powder great and small besides great barres of Iron péeces of Timber and massie stones covered over with Fagots therein was the said Gentlemans owne provision Whereupon the Lord Chamberlaine casting his eye aside perceived a fellow standing in a corner there calling himselfe the said Percies man and kéeper of that house for him but indéed was Guido Fawkes the owner of that hand which should have acted that monstrous and hellish Tragedy The Lord Chamberlaine looking upon all things with a héedfull indéed yet in outward appearance with but a carelesse and recklesse eye as became so wise and diligent a minister he presently addressed himselfe to the King in the privy Gallery where in the presence of the Lord Treasurer the Lord Admirall the Earles of Worcester Northampton and Salisbury he made his report what he had séen and observed there noting The Lord Chamberlaines report and judgment of what he had observed in the search that Montegle had told him That he no sooner heard Thomas Percy named to be the possessor of that house but considering both his backwardnesse in Religion and the old dearenesse in friendship betwéene himselfe and the said Percy he did greatly suspect the matter and that the letter should come from him The said Lord Chamberlaine also told That he did not wonder a little at the extraordinary great provision of wood and coale in that house where Thomas Percy had so seldome occasion to remaine as likewise it gave him in his minde that this man looked like a very tall and desperate fellow This could not but increase the Kings former apprehension and jealousie whereupon he insisted as before that the house was narrowly to be searched and that those billets and coales would be searched to the bottom it being most suspitious that they were laid there onely for covering of the powder Of this same minde also were all the Counsellors then present But upon the fashion of making of the search was it long debated for upon the one side they were all so jealous of the Disputation about the maner of the further search Kings safety that they all agréed that there could not be too much caution used for preventing his danger And yet upon the other part they were all extream loath and dainty that in case this Letter should prove to be nothing but the evaporation of an idle brain then a curious search being made and nothing found should not only turne to the generall scandall of the King and the State as being so suspitious of every light and frivolous toy but likewise lay in ill favoured imputation upon the Earle of Northumberland one of his Majesties greatest subjects and Counsellors this Thomas Percy being his kinsman and most confident familiar And the rather were they curious upon this point knowing how far the King detested to be thought suspitious or jealous of any of his good subjects though of the meanest degrée And therefore though they all agréed upon the main ground which was to provide for the security of the Kings person yet did they much differ in the circumstances by which this action might be best carried with least dinne and occasion of slander But the King himselfe still persisting that there were divers shrewd appearances and that a narrow search of those places could prejudge no man that was innocent he at last plainly resolved them that either must all the parts of those roomes be narrowly searched and no possibility of danger left unexamined or else he and they all must resolve not to meddle in it at all but plainly to goe the next day to the Parliament and leave the successe to Fortune which he beléeved they would be loth to take upon their consciences for in such a case as this an halfe doing was worse than no doing at all Whereupon it was at last concluded That nothing should bée Agreed that the search should be under colour of seeking for Wardrobe stuffe missed by Whyneard left unsearched in those houses and yet for the better colour and stay of rumour in case nothing were found it was thought méet that upon a pretence of Whyneards missing some of the Kings stuffe or hangings which he had in kéeping all these roomes should be narrowly ripped for them And to this purpose was Sir Thomas Knevet a Gèntleman of his Majesties privy Chamber imployed being a Iustice of Peace in Westminster and one of whose ancient fidelity both the late Quéen and our now Soveraigne have had large proofe who according to the trust committed unto him went about the midnight next after to the Parliament house accompanied with such a small number as was fit for that errand But before his entry into the house finding Faux found at midnight without the house Thomas Percies alledged man standing without the doores his clothes and bootes on at so
advice and direction of the rest as well to acquaint Owen with the particulars of the plot as also lest by my longer stay I might have growne suspitious and so have come in question In the mean time Percy having the key of the cellar laid in more powder and wood into it I returned about the beginning of September next and then receiving the key again of M. Percy we brought in more powder and billets to cover the same againe and so I went for a time into the Countrey till the thirtieth of October It was further resolved amongst us that the same day that this act should have béen performed some other of our Confederates should have surprised the person of the Lady Elizabeth the Kings eldest Daughter who was kept in Warwickshire at the Lord Harringtons house and presently have proclaimed her quéen having a project of a proclamation ready for that purpose wherein we made no mention of altering of religion or would have a vowed the déed to be ours untill we should have had power enough to make our party good and then we would have avowed both Concerning Duke Charles the Kings second son we had sundry consultations how to seize on his person But because we found no meanes how to compasse it the Duke being kept néere London where we had not forces enough wee resolved to serve our turne with the Lady Elizabeth ¶ The names of other principall persons that were made privy afterwards to this horrible conspiracy Everard Digby Knight Ambrose Rookewood Francis Tresham Iohn Grant Robert Reyes Commissioners Notingham Suffolke Northampton Marre Worcester Devonshire Salisbury Dunbar Popham Edw. Coke W. Waad ¶ And in regard that before this discourse could be ready to go to the Presse Thomas Winter being apprehended and brought to the Tower made a confession in substance agréeing with this former of Fawkes only larger in some circumstances I have thought good to insert the same likewise in this place for the further cléering of the matter and greater benefit of the Reader ¶ Thomas Winters confession taken the three and twentieth of November in the yeare 1605. in the presence of the Counsellors whose names are under-written My most honourable Lords NOt out of hope to obtaine pardon for speaking of my temporall part I may say The fault is greater then can be forgiven nor affecting here the title of a good subject for I must redéeme my Countrey from as great a danger as I have hazarded the bringing of her into before I can purchase any such opinion only at your honors command I will briefly set downe mine owne accusation and how far I have procéeded in this businesse which I shall the faithfullier doe since I sée such courses are not pleasing to Almighty God and that all or the most materiall parts have béen already confessed I remained with my brother in the countrey from Alhallow-tide untill the beginning of Lent in the yeare of our Lord 1603. the first yeare of the Kings reigne about which time Master Catesby sent thither intreating me to come to London where he and other my friends would bée glad to sée me I desired him to excuse me for I found my selfe not very well disposed and which had happened never to me before returned the messenger without my company Shortly I received another Letter in any wise to come At the second summons I presently came up and found him with Master Iohn Wright at Lambeth where he brake with me how necessary it was not to forsake our Countrey for he knew then I had a resolution to goe over but to deliver her from the servitude in which she remained or at least to assist her with our uttermost endeavours I answered that I had often hazzarded my life upon far lighter termes and now would not refuse any good occasion wherein I might doe service to the Catholique cause but for my selfe I knew no meane probable to succéed Hée said that he had bethought him of a way at one instant to deliver us from all our bonds and without any forraine help to replant againe the Catholique Religion and withall told me in a word It was to blow up the Parliament house with Gunpowder for said he in that place have they done us all the mischiefe and perchance God hath designed that place for their punishment I wondered at the strangenesse of the conceit and told him that true it was this strake at the roote and would bréed a confusion fit to beget new alterations but if it should not take effect as most of this nature miscarried the scandall would be so great which Catholique Religion might hereby sustaine as not only our enemies but our friends also would with good reason condemne us Hée told me The nature of the disease required so sharpe a remedy and asked me if I would give my consent I told him yes in this or what else soever if he resolved upon it I would venture my life But I proposed many difficulties as want of an house and of one to carry the Mine noise in the working and such like His answer was Let us give an attempt and where it faileth passe no further But first quoth he because we will leave no peaceable and quiet way untryed you shall goe over and informe the Constable of the state of the Catholikes here in England intreating him to sollicite his Majesty at his comming hither that the penall Lawes may be recalled and we admitted into the ranke of his other subjects withall you may being over some confident Gentleman such as you shall understand best able for this businesse and named unto me Master Fawkes Shortly after I passed the Sea and found the Constable at Berghen néere Dunkirke where by help of Master Owen I delivered my message Whose answer was that he had strict command from his Master to doe all good offices for the Catholiques and for his owne part he thought himselfe bound in conscience so to doe and that no good occasion should be omitted but spake to him nothing of this matter Returning to Dunkirk with Master Owen we had spéech whether he thought the Constable would faithfully help us or no. He said he beléeved nothing lesse and that they sought only their owne ends holding small account of Catholikes I told him that there were many Gentlemen in England who would not forsake their Countrey untill they had tryed their uttermost and rather venture their lives then forsake her in this misery And to adde one more to our number as a fit man both for counsell and execution of whatsoever we should refolve wâ— wished for M. Fawkes whom I had heard good commendations of hee told me the Gentelman deserved no lesse but was at Brussels and that if he came not as happily he might before my departure he would send him shortly after into England I went soone after to Ostend where Sir William Stanley as then was not but câ—â—e two daies after I remained with him thrée or
point we agréed that first we could not enjoyne Princes to that secrety nor oblige them by â—ath so to be secure of their promises besides we knew not whether they will approve the â—â—â—ject oâ— dislike it And if they doe allow thereof to prepare before might beget 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 to provide untill the businesse were acted the same letter that carried newes of the thing done might aswell intreat their helpe and furtherance Spaine is too slow in his preparations to hope any good from in the first extremities and France too néere and too dangerous who with the shipping of Holland we feared of all the world might make away with us But while we were in the middle of these discourses we heard that the Parliament should be anew adjourned untill after Michaelmas upon which tidings we broke off both discourse and working untill after Christmas About Candlemas we brought over in a boat the pouder which wee had provided at Lambeth and laid it in Master Percies house because we were willing to have all our dangers in one place Wee wrought also another forthnight in the mine against the stone wall which was very hard to beat through at which time we called in Kit Wright and néere to Easter as we wrought the third time opportunity was given to hire the cellar in which we resolved to lay the pouder and leave the mine Now by reason that the charge of maintaining us all so long together besides the number of severall houses which for severall uses had béen hired and buying of pouder c. had layne heavy on M. Catesby alone to support it was necessary for him to call in some others to ease his charge and to that end desired leave that he with Master Percy and a third whom they should call might acquaint whom they thought fit and willing to the busines for many said he may be content that I should know who would not therefore that all the company should be acquainted with their names to this we all agréed After this Master Fawkes laid into the cellar which he had newly taken a thousand of billets and five hundred of fagots and with that covered the pouder because we might have the house frée to suffer any one to enter that would Master Catesby wished us to consider whether it were not now necessary to send Master Fawkes over both to absent himselfe for a time as also to acquaint Sir William Stanley and Master Owen with this matter Wee agréed that he should provided that he gave it them with the same oth that we had taken it before viz. to kéep it secret from all the world The reason why we desired sir William Stanley should be acquainted herwith was to have him with us so soone as we could And for Master Owen he might hold good correspondency after with forraine Princes So Master Fawks departed about Easter for Flanders and returned the later end of August He told me that when he arrived at Brussels Sir Willam Stanley was not returned from Spain so as he uttered the matter onely to Owen who séemed well pleased with the businesse but. told him that surely Sir William would not be acquainted with any plot as having businesse now a foot in the Court of England but he himselfe would be alwayes ready to tell it him and send him away so soone as it were done About this time did Master Percy and master Catesby méet at the Bathe where they agréed that the company being yet but few M. Catesby should have the others authority to call in whom he thought best by which authority hee called in after Sir Everard Digby though at what time I know not and last of all Master Francis Tresham The first promised as I heard master Catesby say fiftéene hundred pounds the second two thousand pounds Master Percy himselfe promised all that he could get of the Earle of Northumberlands rents which was about foure thousand pounds and to provide many galloping horses to the number of ten Meane while Master Fawkes and myselfe alone bought some new pouder as suspecting the first to be danke and conveyed it into the cellar and set it in order as we resolved it should stand Then was the parliament anew prorogued untill fifth of November so as we all went down untill some ten daies before when Master Catesby came up with Master Fawkes to an house by Enfield Chace called White Webs whither I came to them and Master Catesby wished me to enquire whither the young Prince came to the Parliament I told him that I heard that his grace would not be there Then must we have our horses said Master Catesby beyond the water and provision of more company to surprise the Prince and leave the Duke alone Two dayes after being Sunday at night in came one to my Chamber and told me that a letter had béen given to my Lord Mountegle to this effect That he wished his Lordships absence from the Parliament because a blow would there be given which letter he presently carried to my Lord of Salisbury On the morrow I went ot White-Webs and told it Master Catesby assuring him withall that the matter was disclosed and wishing him in any case to forsake his countrey He told me he would sée further as yet and resolved to send M. Fawkes to try the uttermost protesting that if it were his case he would try the same adventure On Wednesday Master Fawkes went and returned at night of which we were very glad On Thursday I came to London on Fryday M. Catesby M. Tresham and I met at Barnet where we questioned how this letter should be sent to my Lord Mountegle but could not coÌ„ceive for M. Tresham forsware it whom we suspected On Saturday night I met Master Tresham againe in Lincolnes Inne walkes Where he told such spéeches that my Lord of Salisbury should use to the King as I gave it lost the second time and repeated the same to Master Catesby who hereupon was resolved to be gone but stayed to have Master Percy come up whose consent herein we wanted On Sunday Master Percy being dealt with to that end would néeds abide the uttermost triall This suspition of all hands put us into such confusion as Master Catesby resolved to goe downe into the countrey the Munday that Master Percy went to Syon and Master Percy resolved to follow the same night or early the next morning About five of the clocke being Tuesday came the younger Wright to my chamber and told me that a Nobleman called the Lord Montegle saying Arise and come along to Essex house for I am going to call up my Lord of Northumberland saying withall The matter is discovered Goe backe Master Wright quoth I and learne what you can about Essex gate Shortly he returned and said Surely all is lost for Lepton is got on horsebacke at Essex doore and as hee parted he asked if their Lordships would have any more with him and being answered no is rode