The Identification of the Writer of the Anonymous Letter to Lord Monteagle in 1605 — John Shaqi
The Identification of the Writer of the Anonymous Letter to Lord Monteagle in 1605Monteagle, William Parker, Baron
History
The Identification of the Writer of the Anonymous Letter to Lord Monteagle in 1605
Monteagle, William Parker, Baron
Gunpowder Plot, 1605; Monteagle, William Parker, Baron, 1574 or 1575-1622
which she at once repudiates and says that Vavasour wrote it. He is then
examined in the Tower by Chief Justice Popham and Attorney-General Coke,
when he confesses that he wrote the dying statement at his master's
dictation; and had denied it "for fear." Fear of what? In case the
writing should bring into question some other and less innocent letter
written by him for his master.
Upon Tresham's death in the Tower, the Lieutenant writes to Salisbury
(December 23, 1605) of the "marvellous" confidence shown by Tresham and
his friends that had he survived, they feared not the course of justice.
Later, having left no male issue, his inheritance passes to his brother,
who is described as of Rushton, when created a baronet on the
institution of that Order by James the First, the very king whom the
plotters intended to destroy; and although a baronetcy at that time was
merely a monetary distinction or transaction, _some_ discrimination was
no doubt made in the bestowal or disposal of that dignity, which
probably would not have been conferred upon Catesby's son, who was then
living, even if he had been able to afford it after the forfeiture of
his family inheritance.
The Attorney-General, at Father Garnet's trial (March 28, 1606),
pronounces Vavasour as being, in his opinion, "deeply guilty" in the
treason; yet he is not even brought to trial, while other serving-men
are tried and executed; although Lord Salisbury expressly declares that
he will esteem his life unworthily given him, when he shall be found
slack in bringing to prosecution and execution ALL who are in any way
concerned in the treason; and his exertions in the matter are accounted
to be so successful, that he is rewarded with the Order of the Garter.
Francis Tresham's inheritance remains in the family; and his
serving-man, the "deeply guilty" William Vavasour, goes free.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1: _These facsimiles are issued separately in order to
facilitate comparison._]
II
THE OFFICIAL STORY OF THE LETTER
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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