Robert Catesby

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Robert Catesby
Houses of Parliament
Criminal penaltyExhumation, decapitation
RoleLeader

Robert Catesby (c. 1572 – 8 November 1605) was the leader of a group of

English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot
of 1605.

Born in

Essex Rebellion but was captured and fined, after which he sold his estate at Chastleton
.

The Protestant

Jesuit superior Fr. Henry Garnet to cancel the plot, was scheduled to be carried out on 5 November 1605. Concerns about possible collateral damage caused an anonymous letter of warning to be sent to William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle
, who alerted the authorities. On the night before the planned explosion, Fawkes was arrested underneath the House of Parliament while guarding 38 barrels of gunpowder. News of his arrest caused the other plotters to flee London, warning Catesby along their way.

With a much-diminished group of followers, Catesby made a

severed head on a spike
was displayed outside the Houses of Parliament.

Early life

Origins

Arms of Catesby: Argent, two lions passant sable crowned or

He was born after 1572, the third and only surviving son and heir of Sir William Catesby of

Jesuit Edmund Campion.[4] The head of the Throckmortons, Sir Thomas Throckmorton, was also fined for his recusancy, and spent many years in prison. Another relation, Sir Francis Throckmorton, had been executed in 1584 for his involvement in a plot to free Mary, Queen of Scots.[5]

Education

In 1586 Robert was educated at

Gloucester Hall in Oxford, a college noted for its Catholic intake.[1] Those either studying at university or wishing to take public office could not do so without first swearing the Oath of Supremacy,[6] an act which would have compromised Catesby's Catholic faith. Presumably to avoid this consequence, he left without taking his degree, and may then have attended the seminary college of Douai.[7]

In 1588, at time of the Spanish Armada, Robert was allegedly imprisoned at Wisbech Castle along with Francis Tresham.[8]

Adulthood

In 1593 he married Catherine Leigh, granddaughter of

Sir Thomas Leigh of Stoneleigh Abbey in Warwickshire by his wife Alice Barker, sometimes known as Coverdale, who was an heiress, thanks to her uncle Sir Rowland Hill, publisher of the Geneva Bible.[nb 1][9]

Catherine came from wealthy and respected Protestant dynasties and brought with her a dowry of £2,000, but also a religious association that offered Robert some respite from the recusancy laws then in effect.

From the death of his grandmother the following year he inherited a property at Chastleton, in Oxfordshire. The couple's first son William died in infancy, but their second son Robert survived, and was baptised at Chastleton's Anglican parish church on 11 November 1595.[nb 2] When Catesby's father died in 1598, his estates at Ashby St Ledgers were left to his wife, while Catesby and his family remained at Chastleton. Catesby had seemed happy to remain a Church Papist[nb 3] but after his wife's death later that year he further embraced Catholicism.[1][7][11]

In 1601 Catesby was involved in the

Sir Thomas Tresham helped pay some of Catesby's fine,[14] following which Catesby sold his estate at Chastleton.[15][16] Several authors speculate about Catesby's movements as Elizabeth's health grew worse; he was probably among those "principal papists" imprisoned by a government fearing open rebellion,[17][18] and in March 1603 he possibly sent Christopher Wright to Spain to see if Philip III would continue to support English Catholics after Elizabeth's death.[nb 5] Catesby funded the activities of some Jesuit priests,[20] and while visiting them made occasional use of the alias Mr Roberts.[1]

Gunpowder Plot

Main article: Gunpowder Plot

Background

Catholics had hoped that the persecution they suffered during Elizabeth's reign would end when she was succeeded in 1603 by

Lutheran and had abstained from the Anglican communion at her English coronation – had been sent a rosary from Pope Clement VIII, James exiled all Jesuits and other Catholic priests, and reimposed the collection of anti-Catholic fines.[23] Catesby soon began to lose patience with the new dynasty.[24]

British author and historian

Father Tesimond's description of his friend was favourable: "his countenance was exceedingly noble and expressive ... his conversation and manners were peculiarly attractive and imposing, and that by the dignity of his character he exercised an irresistible influence over the minds of those who associated with him." Fellow conspirator Ambrose Rookwood, shortly before his own death, said that he "loved and respected him [Catesby] as his own life",[25] while Catesby's friend, Father John Gerard, claimed he was "respected in all companies of such as are counted there swordsmen or men of action", and that "few were in the opinions of most men preferred before him and he increased much his acquaintance and friends."[26] Author Mark Nicholls suggests that "bitterness at the failure of Essex's design nevertheless seems to have sharpened an already well-honed neurosis."[1]

Early stages

Crispijn van de Passe
; Catesby is second from the right.

Despite the ease with which Catesby seems to have inspired his fellow conspirators, that it was he and not Fawkes (today most often associated with 5 November) who devised what became known as the Gunpowder Plot, has largely been forgotten.

Thomas Wintour, who was at Huddington Court in Worcestershire with his brother Robert. Thomas was educated as a lawyer and had fought for England in the Low Countries, but in 1600 had converted to Catholicism. Following the Earl of Essex's failed rebellion, he had travelled to Spain to raise support for English Catholics, a mission which the authorities would later describe as comprising part of a 'Spanish Treason'. Although Thomas declined his invitation,[29] Catesby again invited him in February the next year.[30][31]

When Wintour responded to the summons he found his cousin with the swordsman

Dutch War of Independence. Wintour told him of their plan to "doe somewhat in England if the pece with Spaine helped us nott", and thus in April 1604 the two men returned home.[35] Wintour told Catesby that despite positive noises from the Spanish, he feared that "the deeds would not answer". This was a response that in Nicholls's opinion came as no surprise to Catesby, who wanted and expected nothing less. [nb 6][1][36]

On Sunday 20 May in the well-to-do

John Grant and John Wright's brother Christopher.[30][42][43][44]

Further recruitment

Although the

Jesuit in England, Father Henry Garnet, on Thames Street in London. While discussing the war in Flanders, Catesby asked about the morality of "killing innocents".[47] Garnet said that such actions could often be excused, but according to his own account during a second meeting in July he showed Catesby a letter from the pope which forbade rebellion. Catesby replied, "Whatever I mean to do, if the Pope knew, he would not hinder for the general good of our country." Father Garnet's protestations prompted Catesby's next reply, "I am not bound to take knowledge by you of the Pope's will."[48] Soon after, Father Tesimond told Father Garnet that while taking Catesby's confession[nb 8] he had learned of the plot. Father Garnet met with Catesby a third time on 24 July at White Webbs in Enfield Chase, the home of Catesby's wealthy relative Anne Vaux, and a house long suspected by the government of harbouring Jesuit priests.[50] Without acknowledging that he was aware of the precise nature of the plot, the priest tried in vain to dissuade Catesby from his course.[51]

James I, by John de Critz
, c. 1606

By 20 July 1605, 36 barrels of gunpowder had been stored in the undercroft, but the ever-present threat of the plague yet again prorogued the opening of Parliament, this time until 5 November 1605.

Princess Elizabeth]".[54]

The day after Tresham's recruitment, Catesby exchanged greetings in London with Fawkes's former employer, Lord Montagu, and asked him "The Parliament, I think, brings your lordship up now?" Montagu told him that he was visiting a relative, and that he would be at Parliament in a few weeks' time. Catesby replied "I think your Lordship takes no pleasure to be there". Montague, who had already been imprisoned for speaking out in the House of Lords against anti-Catholic legislation, and who had no inclination to be present while more laws were introduced, agreed.[56] Following the plot's failure he became a suspect and was arrested, but after intense lobbying he was released some months later.[57]

The recruitment of Rookwood, Tresham, and Digby coincided with a series of meetings in various taverns across London, during which the last remaining details were worked out. Fawkes would light the fuse, and escape by boat across the

Thames. An uprising would start in the Midlands, during which Princess Elizabeth was to be captured. Fawkes would escape to the continent and explain to the Catholic powers what had happened in England.[56]

Monteagle letter

Three-quarter-length portrait of an elderly gentleman
William Parker, Baron Monteagle, by John de Critz, c. 1615

Several of the conspirators expressed worries about fellow Catholics who would be caught up in the planned explosion;

Earl of Arundel's name was mentioned Catesby suggested that a minor wound might keep him from the chamber on that day. Keyes's suggestion to warn the Earl of Peterborough was, however, derided.[59] On 26 October William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle (Tresham's brother-in-law) received an anonymous letter while at his house in Hoxton, warning him not to attend Parliament, and forecasting that "they shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament; and yet they shall not see who hurts them".[56] Uncertain of its meaning he delivered it to Secretary of State Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury.[60] In an extraordinary act of bravado Catesby had planned to go hunting with James, but was warned of the betrayal by Monteagle's servant. He immediately suspected that Tresham was responsible for the letter, a view which was shared by Thomas Wintour. Together the two confronted the recently recruited conspirator, and threatened to "hang him", but Tresham managed to convince the pair that he had not written the letter, and the next day urged them to abandon the plot.[61]

Catesby waited for Percy's return from the north, before making his decision.[62] He thought the letter too vague to constitute any meaningful threat to the plan, and decided to forge ahead. As Fawkes made a final check on the gunpowder, other conspirators took up their positions in the Midlands. Salisbury, already aware of certain stirrings before he received the letter, did not yet know the exact nature of the plot or who exactly was involved. He elected to wait, to see how events unfolded.[63] On 3 November, Catesby met with Wintour and Percy in London. Although the nature of their discussion is unknown, Fraser theorises that some adjustment of their plan to abduct Princess Elizabeth may have occurred, as later accounts told how Percy had been seen at the Duke of York's lodgings, enquiring as to the movements of the king's daughter.[64] Nicholls mentions that a week earlier—on the same day that Monteagle received his letter—Catesby was at White Webbs with Fawkes, to discuss kidnapping Prince Henry rather than Princess Elizabeth.[nb 10][65]

Death

Late on Monday 4 November, Catesby, John Wright and Bates left for the Midlands, ready for the planned uprising. That night Fawkes was discovered guarding the gunpowder in the undercroft beneath the House of Lords. As news of his arrest spread, the next day most of the conspirators still in London fled. Catesby's party, ignorant of what was happening in London, paused at Dunstable when his horse lost a shoe. When Rookwood caught them up and broke to them the news of Fawkes's arrest, the group, which now included Rookwood, Catesby, Bates, the Wright brothers and Percy, rode toward Dunchurch. At about 6:00 pm that evening they reached Catesby's family home at Ashby St Ledgers, where his mother and Robert Wintour were staying. To keep his mother ignorant of their situation, Catesby sent a message asking Wintour to meet him at the edge of the town. The group continued to Dunchurch, where they met Digby and his hunting party and informed them that the king and Salisbury were dead, thus persuading them to continue with the plan.[66]

On 6 November they raided Warwick Castle for supplies, taking cavalry horses from the stables to aid their escape,[67] before continuing to Norbrook to collect stored weapons. From there they continued their journey to Huddington. Catesby gave Bates a letter to deliver to Father Garnet and the other priests at Coughton Court, informing them of what had transpired, and asking for their help in raising an army in Wales, where Catholic support was believed to be strong. The priest begged Catesby and his followers to stop their "wicked actions", and to listen to the pope's preachings. Father Garnet fled, and managed to evade capture for several weeks. Catesby and the others arrived at Huddington at about 2:00 pm, and were met by Thomas Wintour. Terrified of being associated with the fugitives, family members and former friends showed them no sympathy.[68]

On 6 November 1605 the fugitives raided Warwick Castle for supplies.

Back in London, under pain of torture Fawkes had started to reveal what he knew, and on 7 November the government named Catesby as a wanted man. Early that morning at Huddington, the remaining outlaws went to confession, before taking the sacrament—in Fraser's opinion, a sign that none of them thought they had long to live. The party of fugitives, which included those at the centre of the plot, their supporters and Digby's hunting party, by now had dwindled to only thirty-six in number.[69] They continued through pouring rain to Hewell Grange, home of the young Lord Windsor. He was absent however, so they helped themselves to further arms, ammunition, and money. The locals were unsupportive; on hearing that Catesby's party stood for "God and Country", they replied that they were for "King James as well as God and Country". The party reached Holbeche House, on the Staffordshire boundary, at about 10:00 pm. Tired and desperate, they spread in front of the fire some of the wet gunpowder taken from Hewell Grange, 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 another man.[68]

Holbeach
, unknown artist

Catesby survived, albeit scorched. Digby left, ostensibly to give himself up, as did John Wintour. Thomas Bates fled, along with Robert Wintour. Remaining were Catesby (described as "reasonably well"), Rookwood, the Wright brothers, Percy and John Grant, who had been so badly injured that his eyes were "burnt out". They resolved to stay in the house and wait for the arrival of the king's men. Catesby, believing his death to be near, kissed the gold crucifix he wore around his neck and said he had given everything for "the honour of the Cross". He refused to be taken prisoner, "against that only he would defend himself with his sword".[70]

Virgin Mary. This and his gold crucifix were sent to London, to demonstrate what "superstitious and Popish idols" had inspired the plotters.[70] The survivors were taken into custody and the dead buried near Holbeche. On the orders of the Earl of Northampton, the bodies of Catesby and Percy were exhumed and decapitated.[71] John Harington made an opportune study of the heads while en route to London, and later reflected: "more terrible countenances were never looked upon".[72] Placed on "the side of the Parliament House", Catesby's head on a spike became one of the "sightless spectators of their own failure".[73]

Notable relatives

Modern actor and producer Kit Harington is a direct descendant of Robert Catesby. He, along with co-creators Ronan Bennett and Daniel West, produced a three-part dramatization called Gunpowder with the BBC delving into his ancestor's role as the mastermind of the Gunpowder Plot, with Harington himself starring as Catesby.[74]

References

Notes

  1. ^ The indenture for this marriage is dated 2 March, and notes that he was not then 21 years old.[1]
  2. ^ Their son was taken to Ashby St Ledgers, and in later years married Thomas Percy's daughter.[1]
  3. ^ Church Papist was a nickname for those who conformed to the rules of the Protestant Church, but who secretly remained Catholic.[10]
  4. ^ Comparing relative average earnings of £3,000 in 1601 with 2008.
  5. ^ Wright might have used the alias Anthony Dutton.[19]
  6. ^ Philip III made peace with England in August 1604.[1]
  7. ^ According to Bates's confession.
  8. ^ Haynes (2005) writes that Tesimond took Thomas Bates' confession.[49]
  9. ^ Anne Throckmorton was sister to Meriel Throckmorton, Tresham's mother.[55]
  10. ^ Catesby had heard from Wintour that Prince Henry would not be at the opening of Parliament.[65]

Footnotes

  1. ^
    doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/4883. Retrieved 27 May 2010. (Subscription or UK public library membership
    required.)     (subscription required)
  2. ^ a b Fraser 2005, p. 110
  3. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/4884. Retrieved 13 July 2010. (Subscription or UK public library membership
    required.)     (subscription required)
  4. JSTOR 2147044
    (subscription required)
  5. ^ Fraser 2005, p. 195
  6. ^ a b Fraser 2005, pp. 58–59
  7. ^ a b Fraser 2005, pp. 111–112
  8. ^ George Anniss. A History of Wisbech Castle. E A R O.
  9. ^ Walsh, Alexandra. "The Gunpowder Plotters' Wives | Alexandra Walsh". Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  10. ISBN 0-86193-225-0, archived from the original
    on 30 June 2012, retrieved 15 July 2010
  11. ^ Sharpe 2005, p. 30
  12. ^ Bengsten 2005, p. 25
  13. ^ Officer, Lawrence H. (2009), Purchasing Power of British Pounds from 1264 to Present, measuringworth.com, archived from the original on 24 November 2009, retrieved 3 December 2009
  14. ^ Fraser 2005, p. xxiv
  15. ^ Haynes 2005, p. 47
  16. ^ Northcote Parkinson 1976, pp. 44–46
  17. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. xxv–xxvi
  18. ^ a b Fraser 2005, p. 112
  19. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/30028. Retrieved 16 July 2010. (Subscription or UK public library membership
    required.)     (subscription required)
  20. ^ Haynes 2005, p. 49
  21. ^ Marshall 2006, p. 227
  22. ^ Marshall 2006, p. 228
  23. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. 41–42
  24. ^ Haynes, Alan (5 November 2009), The Enduring Memory of the Gunpowder Plot, bbc.co.uk, retrieved 14 July 2010
  25. ^ Spinks 2005, pp. 24–25
  26. ^ Haynes 2005, p. 48
  27. ^ Sharpe 2005, p. 31
  28. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. 48–50
  29. ^ Haynes 2005, pp. 49–50
  30. ^ a b Fraser 2005, pp. 59–61
  31. ^ Fraser 2005, p. 93
  32. JSTOR 175701
    (subscription required)
  33. ^ Fraser 2005, p. 88
  34. ^ Fraser 2005, p. 87
  35. ^ a b Fraser 2005, pp. 117–119
  36. ^ Nicholls 1991, p. 39
  37. ISBN 0-19-865212-7. Retrieved 16 November 2009. (Subscription or UK public library membership
    required.)     (subscription required)
  38. ^ Northcote Parkinson 1976, pp. 46–47
  39. ^ Fraser 2005, p. 120
  40. ^ a b Northcote Parkinson 1976, p. 96
  41. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. 130–132
  42. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. 56–57
  43. ^ Nelthorpe, Sutton (November–December 1935), Twigmore and the Gunpowder Plot, vol. 8, Lincolnshire Magazine, p. 229
  44. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. 136–137
  45. ^ Haynes 2005, pp. 55–59
  46. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. 133–134
  47. ^ Fraser 2005, p. 154
  48. ^ Gardiner 1883, pp. 274–275
  49. ^ Haynes 2005, p. 62
  50. ^ a b Fraser 2005, pp. 42–43
  51. ^ Haynes 2005, pp. 65–67
  52. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. 146, 159
  53. ^ Nicholls 1991, p. 41
  54. ^ a b Fraser 2005, pp. 170–176
  55. ^
    doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/27708. Retrieved 16 November 2009. (Subscription or UK public library membership
    required.)     (subscription required)
  56. ^ a b c Fraser 2005, pp. 178–179
  57. ^ Haynes 2005, pp. 125–126
  58. ^ Northcote Parkinson 1976, pp. 62–63
  59. ^ Haynes 2005, p. 82
  60. ^ Haynes 2005, p. 89
  61. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. 180–182
  62. ^ Nicholls 1991, p. 43
  63. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. 187–189
  64. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. 197–198
  65. ^ a b Nicholls 1991, p. 42
  66. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. 200, 202–205
  67. ^ "The borough of Warwick: The castle and castle estate in Warwick, "A History of the County of Warwick: Volume 8: The City of Coventry and Borough of Warwick" (1969)". pp. 452–475. Retrieved 23 June 2008.
  68. ^ a b Fraser 2005, pp. 218–222
  69. ^ Fraser 2005, pp. 205–206
  70. ^ a b Fraser 2005, pp. 222–225
  71. ^ Dixon 1869, p. 190
  72. ^ Fraser 2005, p. 235
  73. ^ Haynes 2005, p. 104
  74. ^ "Kit Harington: My ancestor tried to blow up parliament". bbc.co.uk. 19 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2018.

Bibliography

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Catesby, Robert".

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robert_Catesby&oldid=1219786751"