The old story is well known..............

In 1605, English Gentlemen who held to the Old Religion - the Catholic faith - plotted to change the status quo within Parliament. The main characters involved in the plot to kill the King, by blowing up the Houses of Parliament, were Guy Fawkes, John Wright, Thomas Percy and from the Midlands Robert Catesby from Lapworth and Thomas Winter from Huddington, east of Worcester. Some authorities argue that it was Catesby, not Fawkes who was the real leader of the plot. It was Catesby who recruited others in the Midlands to the group. These included John Grant from Northbrook, near Warwick, Ambrose Rookwood at Clopton House, near Stratford upon Avon, Sir Everard Digby at Coughton Court, near Alcester. This latter house, belonging to the Throckmortons, was perhaps the nerve centre of the plotters endeavours. Catesby's mother was Anne Throckmorton, who married Sir William Catesby. He converted to Catholicism in 1580.

But what was the Plot?

The plot was quite detailed and needless to say details leaked out to the Government of the day. Cecil, the Secretary of State discovered the plot and therefore the plotters were doomed. The plot was well planned in various stages. Blowing up Parliament and the King James I and his two sons was to be the first stage in the Catholic uprising. The second stage was to take place in the Midlands. Prior to November 5 a small army were to assemble at Dunchurch near Coventry. When they heard the King was dead they were to capture the Princess Elizabeth from Coombe Abbey. The intention was to install her as Regent, a puppet monarch, whom they could control. Friendly houses in the Midlands were stocked with gunpowder. Their hope was that Catholics from surrounding areas would join them in taking power in the capital city - London.

We all know the plot failed...............

Guy Fawkes was captured. Catesby and others escaped. They rode up to Dunchurch arriving in the evening of the 5th. They knew they would be hounded by the King's men and therefore fled from Dunchurch. About forty plotters reached the town of Warwick. Six of them broke into a stable in Warwick and each stole a fresh cavalry horse. Four of the plotters including Catesby were caught and killed two days later at Holbeche House. Their deaths deprived Cecil, the Secretary of State the opportunity of a public show trial. The rest were arrested and delivered up to London for torture and eventual death.