Father John Gerard, who had “reconciled to the Church,” as the phrase went, both Sir Everard and Lady Digby and was their intimate and honoured friend, as well as the friend of the Dowager Lady Vaux of Harrowden and her family, did not join the pilgrimage.

Father Gerard was most probably in Yorkshire at this time. For there is interesting evidence tending to prove that about the 25th of August, 1605, this Lancashire Jesuit was being harboured as the guest of Sir John and Lady Yorke, at Gowthwaite (or Goulthwaite) Hall, near Pateley Bridge, in Nidderdale.[A]

[A] See “The Condition of Catholics under James I.” Edited by John Morris, S.J. (Longmans, 1872), p. 257.

The following abstracts from the Evidence of two of Sir Everard Digby’s serving-men, who accompanied

their devout, charming young mistress on this now famous pilgrimage, will give the best account of what took place on this occasion.[A] They are as follow: —

[A] St. Winifred’s Well is at Holywell, Flintshire, Wales, and is sacred to St. Winifred of Wales, an early British Virgin and Martyr. Her “Life” will be found in Butler’s “Lives of the Saints,” under date November 3rd, her Feast Day. The waters of the Well are of healing quality, very copious and icy cold. There is an elegant mediæval stone Chapel built over the Well. (I visited this ancient shrine of a British Maiden — who still rules human hearts — in September, 1897, on my return from Ebbsfleet, where the thirteenth Centenary Commemorations had been held in honour of the spiritual grandsire and sire of the English race, the Italian Pope Gregory the Great and the Italian Benedictine Monk Augustine.)

Gunpowder Plot Books — No. 153.

[Abstract.] ii. Dec. 1605 [In Cal. 11 Dec. 1605.] “Th’examination of James Garvey servt to Sr Everard Digby

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“Saieth about Bartholmew tide last his ladie roade to St. Wenefred’s Well from Gotehurst: first daie to Deyntrie:[A] 2 to Grantz:[B] 3 to Winters:[C] 4 to Mr. Lacon’s:[D] 5 to Shrewsberie: 6 to holte:[E] 7 to the well: they staied at the well but one night: and retorned the