[2] For a full discussion of the question, whether the priests and others who suffered death at this period and subsequently, were punished for religion or for treason, the author’s work, The State of Popery and Jesuitism in England, may be consulted. In that work I have entered fully into the subject, and have proved that all the parties who suffered were executed for treason.

[3] By the 27th Elizabeth, c. 2, it was enacted, “Because Jesuits, seminary priests, or other priests came over into this realm of England, of purpose, as it hath appeared by sundry of their own examinations and confessions,—not only to withdraw her highness’s subjects from their due obedience, but also to stir up and move sedition, rebellion and open hostility—to the utter ruin, desolation, and overthrow of the whole realm, if the same be not the sooner by some good means foreseen and prevented, that it shall not be lawful for any Jesuit, seminary priest, or other such priest—being born within this realm—ordained by any authority derived from the see of Rome, to come into, be, or remain in, any part of this realm: and if he do, that then every such offence shall be taken and adjudged to be high treason, and every person so offending shall for his offence be adjudged a traitor.” This statute was rendered necessary by the treasonable practices of the priests. Had they not been engaged in such practices, the statute never would have been devised. The only way, in which it can be said, that such priests suffered for religion is this, namely, that their religion led them into treason; but this would be to charge all their sufferings upon the church of Rome herself, which is indeed the fact, though Romanists will not admit it.

[4] At this time Cardinal Allen, an Englishman, published a defence of Stanley’s treason, maintaining that in consequence of the queen’s excommunication and heresy, it was not only lawful, but a duty to deprive her of the kingdom.

[5] Several medals were stamped in commemoration of the defeat. One bore this inscription, under a fleet flying with full sails, Venit, vidit, fugit: another the following, Dux Fœmina facti. Several medal were also stamped in the Low Countries.

[6] For a description of the proceedings of the Parliamentary divines in publishing the news of the day from the pulpits during the civil war, the reader is referred to my former work, A History of the English Episcopacy from 1640 to 1660.

CHAPTER II.

SKETCHES OF THE CONSPIRATORS.

The persons actually engaged in this atrocious deed were few in number: at the outset, indeed, very few: but the design was gradually revealed to others, though even when the discovery actually took place, the number was comparatively small. That there was a general belief among the Romanist body, that some great and effective blow would be struck, is a fact which I need not attempt to prove, since it is so well known, that no doubt can be entertained on the subject: but how the design was to be carried into effect was a secret to the great body of the Roman Catholics. The conspirators were thirteen in number. Their names were as follows:—

Of this number, five only were engaged in the plot at its commencement, the rest being associated with them during its progress. Several of them took no active part in the mine; they were, however, in the secret, and furnished the money necessary to carry on the work. Three Jesuits, as will appear in the narrative, were also privy to the design, and counselled and encouraged the conspirators. They were Garnet, Gerrard, and Tesmond, alias Greenway. I shall endeavour to place before the reader such particulars as I have been able to collect respecting all these individuals, before I enter upon the narrative of the plot.