 | Warwickshire's Part in the Plot |
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The plot involved many members of respected and wealthy Catholic families spread across the West Midlands. From their bases here, families such as the Wintours, Throckmortons and Treshams stored large amounts of arms, armour, ammunition and horses from which to launch the rebellion to return England to its Catholic past.
Warwickshire harbours many of these magnificent halls and houses.
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| | Coughton Court near Alcester with its secret priest holes, grand hall and stately grounds was home to the Trockmortons, a leading Catholic family with members directly involved in the plot.
Sir Everard Digby, was lodging in Dunchurch while the plot unfolded while Robert Catesby, the charismatic leader of the plotters, had properties at both Lapworth and Ashby St. Legers. The Ashby St. Ledgers house is famous for the Gunpowder plot room, above the gatehouse, where the conspirators formulated their plan.
The Gunpowder Plotters also stayed at the Red Lion Inn (now a private residence called 'Guy Fawkes House') in Dunchurch awaiting news of Guy Fawkes's success at blowing up the Houses of Parliament.
Some villagers say that the very first 'Guy Fawkes Peal' was rung in 1605 at St Peter's Church, Dunchurch, to drown the sound of the hooves of the Militia horses when they were coming to arrest the conspirators. Others claim however, that this original Peal was sounded to warn the conspirators of the approach of the King's men, giving them time to escape, which they did, through the village's network of underground tunnels.
Coombe Abbey was the location where the young princess Elizabeth, daughter of James I, was staying as a guest of Sir John Harington. Little did she know that a small army was gathered on Dunsmore Heath, a short distance from Coombe Abbey Park, ready to seize the princess after the houses of parliament had been blown up. |
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Baddesley Clinton was rented at the time of the conspiracy by the Vaux sisters. It was often used as a Catholic safe house to conceal Jesuit priests, and contains no fewer than three priest holes.
Many of the above houses were used as refuge by the plotters as they sought to escape across Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Staffordshire when their names were extracted from Fawkes through torture.
For a more detailed account of the Gunpowder plot, read the Whole Story.
Warwickshire is celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder plot by hosting a series of events to remember this famous act of treason. To find out what exciting events are planned see our Warwickshire Events pages or phone 01788 534970.
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