The Gunpowder Plot, and Robert Catesby

Having failed to rally any significant support the plotters descended upon the home of a friend and supporter, Stephen Lytleton, Holbeche House in Staffordshire. Meanwhile Catesby continued to insist that the people would rally in their support once their aims became clear. In the meantime, he suggested they fortify Holbeche House to resist a siege. But no pressure was applied for the plotters to remain together. Sir Francis Tresham and Robert Keys had already departed, Robert Wintour was in hiding, and Sir Everard Digby was roaming the countryside uncertain what to do. Only personal loyalty to the charismatic Catesby and a resignation to their fate kept the other plotters together.

On 6 November, an unfortunate accident scuppered any chance they may have had of fortifying Holbeche to resist a siege. During their flight they had accrued munitions which had then been soaked in a downpour. In an effort to dry it as quickly as possible it had been placed in front of the fire, where a stray spark ignited it. In the explosion, Catesby, Sir Ambrose Rokewood, and Henry Morgan were injured. Lord John Grant was horribly mutilated, it being said his eyes had been burned out.

At 11.00 am on 7 November, Holbeche House was surrounded by Sir John Walsh, the High Sheriff of Worcester, and 200 men. It was evident all was lost. When Tom Wintour asked “Why are we here?” he was answered with the words, “We are here to die”. In the ferocious fire fight that followed, Jack and Kit Wright were shot and killed in the courtyard. Catesby, Wintour, Rokewood, and Sir Thomas Percy returned fire from the house. As the troops broke down the door, Tom Wintour remained at his friend Catesby’s side. He had already lost the use of his right arm and feared he would be taken. Catesby said to him, “Stand by me, Mr Tom, and we will die together”. Sir Thomas Percy now took his own life. As the troops broke in, Rokewood and Wintour were wounded and taken. Catesby had also been wounded, fatally. The house was by now ablaze. As he crawled away into another room, Catesby found a picture of the Virgin Mary, and clutching it to his breast he died.

Sir Everard Digby, who had been wandering aimlessly around the countryside, was finally cornered hiding in a trench. On hearing the shouts of his jubilant pursuers “Here he is! Here he is!” He mounted his horse and replied, “Here I am. What then?” He then rode his horse, cavetting, an advanced form of equestrianism; to the grandest person he could find and gave himself up. Robert Wintour wasn’t captured until two months later.

None of the plotters were to escape. All were to suffer the fate put aside for traitors – to be hanged until choked, suffer live disembowelment, and to be decapitated. Their four quarters then to be put on public display as a warning and deterrence to others.