Gotcha: Guy Fawkes is apprehended
7th November 1605. John Chamberlain in London writes to his friend Dudley Carleton in Paris about the Gunpowder plot
I cannot but remember what you have diverse times told me touching Thomas Percy [one of the plotters], that you suspected him to be a subtle, flattering and dangerous knave. He hath not only verified your judgement but exceeded all degrees of comparison and gone beyond Nero and Caligula, that wished all Rome had but one head that they might cut it off at a stroke; for he at one blow would have ruined the whole realm.
He had hired the house or lodging next to the Parliament, together with the cellar or vault under the Upper House, into which by means of one Johnson, his man—a superstitious papist, or rather priest as is thought—he had conveyed any time this twelvemonth as much powder in satchels, as four or five and thirty barrels, hogsheads and firkins could contain, with intent the first day of Parliament, when the King should be in his speech, to blow them all up; and had so cunningly covered them with billets, faggots and such trash that without long search they could not be discovered. And but that God blinded him or some of his to send this enclosed [an anonymous warning not to attend Parliament], to the Lord Mounteagle, it was very like to take effect.
But the carrying it to the Lord of Salisbury and so to the King, it gave such light that, watch being set, the fellow was taken making his trains at midnight with a blind lantern and presently confessed the plot, yet with such show of resolution that he seemed to be chiefly grieved that it had wanted success. The next day he was carried to the Tower, but what Sir William Wade… and other examiners have wrang out of him I cannot learn… On Tuesday at night we had a great ringing and as great store of bonfires as ever I think was seen.
24th February 1820. Charles Greville, clerk of the Privy Council, writes in his diary about the discovery of the Cato Street conspiracy
The plot… had for its object the destruction of the Cabinet Ministers, and the chief actor in the conspiracy was Arthur Thistlewood… the Government received information that they were to assemble at a house in Cato Street, Edgeware Road, and that they had resolved to execute their purpose last night, when the Cabinet would be at dinner at Lord Harrowby’s. The Ministers who were expected remained at Fife House, and at eight twelve constables were despatched to Cato Street to apprehend the conspirators. Thirty-five foot guards were ordered to support the police force. A man armed with a musket was standing sentry, whom they secured. They then ascended a narrow staircase which led to the room in which the gang were assembled, and burst the door open. The first man who entered was shot in the head, but was only wounded; he who followed was stabbed by Thistlewood and killed. Nine men were taken prisoners; the rest escaped. Thistlewood was taken the morning after… The heads of the Ministers were to have been cut off and put in a sack…
7th November 1605. John Chamberlain in London writes to his friend Dudley Carleton in Paris about the Gunpowder plot
I cannot but remember what you have diverse times told me touching Thomas Percy [one of the plotters], that you suspected him to be a subtle, flattering and dangerous knave. He hath not only verified your judgement but exceeded all degrees of comparison and gone beyond Nero and Caligula, that wished all Rome had but one head that they might cut it off at a stroke; for he at one blow would have ruined the whole realm.
He had hired the house or lodging next to the Parliament, together with the cellar or vault under the Upper House, into which by means of one Johnson, his man—a superstitious papist, or rather priest as is thought—he had conveyed any time this twelvemonth as much powder in satchels, as four or five and thirty barrels, hogsheads and firkins could contain, with intent the first day of Parliament, when the King should be in his speech, to blow them all up; and had so cunningly covered them with billets, faggots and such trash that without long search they could not be discovered. And but that God blinded him or some of his to send this enclosed [an anonymous warning not to attend Parliament], to the Lord Mounteagle, it was very like to take effect.
But the carrying it to the Lord of Salisbury and so to the King, it gave such light that, watch being set, the fellow was taken making his trains at midnight with a blind lantern and presently confessed the plot, yet with such show of resolution that he seemed to be chiefly grieved that it had wanted success. The next day he was carried to the Tower, but what Sir William Wade… and other examiners have wrang out of him I cannot learn… On Tuesday at night we had a great ringing and as great store of bonfires as ever I think was seen.
24th February 1820. Charles Greville, clerk of the Privy Council, writes in his diary about the discovery of the Cato Street conspiracy
The plot… had for its object the destruction of the Cabinet Ministers, and the chief actor in the conspiracy was Arthur Thistlewood… the Government received information that they were to assemble at a house in Cato Street, Edgeware Road, and that they had resolved to execute their purpose last night, when the Cabinet would be at dinner at Lord Harrowby’s. The Ministers who were expected remained at Fife House, and at eight twelve constables were despatched to Cato Street to apprehend the conspirators. Thirty-five foot guards were ordered to support the police force. A man armed with a musket was standing sentry, whom they secured. They then ascended a narrow staircase which led to the room in which the gang were assembled, and burst the door open. The first man who entered was shot in the head, but was only wounded; he who followed was stabbed by Thistlewood and killed. Nine men were taken prisoners; the rest escaped. Thistlewood was taken the morning after… The heads of the Ministers were to have been cut off and put in a sack…
