Father Oldcorne, another Jesuit, was present at Hindlip[304] when this
interview took place, and he also assured Father Greenway that[305] he
would have nothing to do with the conspiracy or the insurrection. As we
shall have little, if anything, more to do with Father Greenway, it may
be worth observing here that he escaped from England[306] in "a small
boat laden with dead pigs, of which cargo he passed as the owner," and
that he lived thirty years afterwards. A ridiculous story was reported
from Naples, in 1610, by Sir Edwin Rich, that Father Greenway (alias
Beaumont) was plotting to send King James some poisoned clothes, which
would be death to the wearer.[307]
[304] Father Garnet was finally arrested at Hindlip, with several
others. In their hiding-place their "maintenance had been by a quill
or reed, through a whole in the chimney that backed another chimney
into the gentlewoman's chamber, and by that passage cawdles, broths,
and warm drinks had been conveyed in unto them." Ashmole MSS., Vol.
804, fol. 93, quoted by Nash, Vol. i. p. 586.
[305] Narrative of the G. P., Gerard, p. 268.
[306] _Troubles of our Catholic Forefathers_, by Father John Morris,
S. J., First Series, pp. 143-4.
[307] S. P. Dom. James I., Vol. lvii. n. 92.
While at Huddington, Sir Everard and most of the other conspirators
probably went to confession to Father Hart, the priest who had said mass
for them at Dunchurch; for he was afterwards "charged with having heard
the confessions and absolved the conspirators, two days after the
discovery of the Plot,"[308] and this is confirmed by Sir Everard's
servant, Handy, who said[309] "that on Thursday morning about three of
the clock all the said companie as servaunts as others heard masse,
receaved the sacrament and were confessed, w{ch}. masse was said by a
priest named Harte, a little man, whitely complexion and a little
beard." If the conspirators really made full confessions with true
sorrow for their terrible sins, on this occasion, nothing could have
been better or more opportune. If not,--well, the less said the better!
The same witness stated that on that Thursday morning, at about six
o'clock, Sir Everard, who had had four fresh horses sent to him from
Coughton,[310] and the rest of the party were again in the saddle, and
the whole band started in a northerly direction for Whewell Grange, a
house belonging to Lord Windsor, having added to the procession "a cart
laden w{th}. trunckes, pikes, and other munition," from Huddington. On
their way towards Whewell Grange "four of the principall gent."[311]
rode in front of the procession, and four behind it "to kepe the company
from starting away," _i.e._, deserting.
[308] _Records S. J._, Series I., p. 173.
[309] S. P. Gunpowder Treason, Part II. No. 121.
[310] S. P. Dom. James I., G. P. Bk., Part II. No. 135, D.
[311] _Ib._
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