What was the Gunpowder Plot? Part 29

Forasmuch as they knew not well how they should come by the person of the Duke Charles, beeinge neere London, where they had no forces,--if he had not been all soe blowne upp,--He confesseth that it was resolved amonge them, that the same day that this detestable act should have been performed, the same day should other of their confederacye have surprised the person of the Lady Elizabeth, and presently have proclaimed her queen [to which purpose a Proclamation was drawne, as well to avowe and justify the Action, as to have protested against the Union, and in no sort to have meddeled with Religion therein. And would have protested all soe agaynst all strangers] and this proclamation should have been made in the name of the Lady Elizabeth.

* Beinge demanded why they did not surprise the Kinges person and draw him to the effectinge of their purpose, sayeth that soe many must have been acquaynted with such an action as it could not have been kept secrett.

He confesseth that if their purpose had taken effect untill they had power enough they would not have avowed the deed to be theirs; but if their power,--for their defence and safetye,--had been sufficient they themselfes would have taken it upon them.

[_B. The Confession as signed._]

And so [I] went for a tyme into the country, till the 30 of October.

_G._ It was farther resolved amongst us that the same day that this action should have been performed some other of our confederates should have surprised the person of the Lady Elizabeth the Kings eldest daughter, who was kept in Warwicks.h.i.+re at the Lo. Harringtons house, and presently have proclaimed her for Queene, having a project of a Proclamation ready for the purpose, wherein we made no mention of altering of Religion,----

---- nor would have avowed the deed to be ours untill we should have had power enough to make our partie good, and then we would have avowed both.

[_A. The draft._]

* They meant all soe to have sent for the Prisoners in the Tower to have come to them, of whom particularly they had some consultation.

* He confesseth that the place of Rendez-vous was in Warwicks.h.i.+re, and that armour was sent thither, but the particuler thereof he knowes not.

He confesseth that they had consultation for the takinge of the Lady Marye into their possession, but knew not how to come by her.

And confesseth that provision was made by some of the conspiracye of some armour of proofe this last Summer for this Action.

* He confesseth that the powder was bought of the common Purse of the Confederates.

L. Admyrall } L. Chamberlayne } Erle of Devons.h.i.+re } attended by M^r Erle of Northampton } Attorney generall.

Erle of Salisbury } Erle of Marr } L. cheif Justice }

[_Endorsed_] Examination of Guy Fauks, Nov^r 8th, 1605.

[_B. The Confession as signed._]

_H._ Concerning Duke Charles, the Kings second son, we hadd sundrie consultations how to sease on his person, but because wee found no meanes how to compa.s.se it,--the Duke being kept near London,--where we had not forces enough, wee resolved to serve ourselves with the Lady Elizabeth.

_J._ The names of other princ.i.p.all persons that were made privie afterwards to this horrible conspiracie.

[_Signed_] GUIDO FAUKES.

Everard Digby, Knight Ambrose Ruckwood Francis Tresham John Grant Robert [Keys] _Wynter_

[_Witnessed_] Edw. c.o.ke W. Waad.

[_Endorsed_] Fawkes his [deposition] _declaration 17 Nov.

1605_.[473]

FOOTNOTES:

[468] Alterations and additions (in italics) made by Sir Edward c.o.ke.

[469] This name has seemingly been tampered with.

[470] Changed by Cecil; but on November 14th, writing to Edmondes, he included Keyes amongst those that "wrought not in the myne," and R.

Winter amongst those who did.

[471] Interlined.

[472] The words italicised are added in the published version.

[473] Words in italics added by c.o.ke.