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“Remember, remember the
fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why
gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.”

I am sure that this is a verse with
which we are all familiar, having
learned it at primary school. But
did you know about the large part
that Northamptonshire played in
The Gunpowder Plot of 1605?

I have to be honest, history was
never my best subject at school,
so I decided to research it a bit
and I shall share my findings.
Robert Catesby was the lead
plotter who lived at Ashby St
Ledgers near Daventry. It was
here in a half-timbered gatehouse
- which still stands to this day -
the plot to kill King James I was
formed in a room that is now
called ‘The Plot Room’.

Catesby’s cousin and fellow
plotter was Francis Tresham, who
lived in a manor house in Rushton
and the manor at Lyveden. His
father, Sir Thomas Tresham,
had been brutally persecuted
and imprisoned for his Catholic
faith. Sir Thomas had Rushton
Triangular Lodge built as a secret
demonstration of his faith.

Its construction echoes the Holy Trinity, by having
three sides, three floors, three windows on each side,
etc.

It appears Guy Fawkes was just a mercenary, hired
by the conspirators to carry out the deed of blowing
up the Houses of Parliament. He was found hiding
in a cellar on 5th November 1605 with 36 barrels of
gunpowder and the plot was therefore foiled.
Edward Montagu, 1st Baron Montagu of Boughton,
lived at Boughton House. He said that people should
thank God that the King was safe, and that there
should be a special day each year to celebrate the
fact, so a law was passed which ensured this would
happen.

Appropriately enough, Boughton House is holding
spectacular ‘Bonfire Night Celebrations: The
Gunpowder Plot’ events on 5th, 6th and 7th November
this year. More detailed information on the county’s
role in the plot will be revealed, along with a fantastic
lightshow and fireworks display.

Visit www.boughtonhouse.co.uk/events/bonfirenight-
celebrations or see page 22 for details.

Thanks for reading, please visit my blog and
Northants Telegraph column too. Many thanks, Hx

www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/opinion/helen-bach

www.helenbachuk.blogspot.co.uk