CHAPTER LIII. (Chapters XLV. and XLVI. with more particularity) 172

Sir Everard Digby rents Coughton, near Alcester, Warwickshire——Sir Everard to be in command of Midland Rising against Government—— Many Catholic gentlemen from Midland counties expected to rebel by reason of galling anti-Catholic persecution——Sir Everard Digby, on Sunday, 3rd November, rides to Dunchurch, near Rugby, in Warwickshire——Robert Winter, of Huddington, joined by Stephen Littleton, of Holbeach, Staffordshire, also by latter’s cousin, Humphrey Littleton——Tuesday, November 5th, Cousins Littleton, Sir Robert Digby (Coleshill), younger Acton (Ribbesford), and many others, join “hunting match” on Dunsmore Heath——Some of these gentlemen with leader, Sir Everard Digby, await arrival of Catesby and the rest of conspirators in an Inn at Dunchurch——At six of the clock in evening of Tuesday, fatal Fifth, in wild headlong flight from London, Catesby, Percy, two Wrights, and Ambrose Rookwood rush into ancient mansion-house of Catesbies at Ashby St. Legers, Northamptonshire——Announce capture of Fawkes——Hold short council of war——Snatch up weapons of warfare—— North-westwards that November night——Arrive at Dunchurch Inn—— Digby told of capture of Fawkes——Many Catholic gentlemen return to their homes——Plotters and rebel-allies plunge into the darkness——Make for “Shakespeare’s country”——Arrive at Warwick by three of the clock on Wednesday morning——From stables near Warwick Castle take fresh horses, leaving their own steeds in exchange therefor——Dash on towards John Grant’s “moated grange,” Norbrook, Snitterfield (where Shakespeare’s mother held property)——At Norbrook “take bite and sup”——Rest their fatigued limbs awhile——On saddle-back once more——This time bound for Huddington, near Droitwich, Worcestershire, the seat of Robert Winter——Arrive there probably about twelve o’clock noon of Wednesday (some authorities say two o’clock in the afternoon)—— Tesimond comes from Coughton to Huddington——Catesby hails Tesimond with joy——Tesimond proceeds to Hindlip Hall——On Thursday morning, at about three of the clock, all company at Huddington “assist” at Mass offered by Father Nicholas Hart, a Jesuit from Great Harrowden——Whole company “shriven and houselled”——Before daybreak all on march again north-westwards—— Halt at Whewell Grange, seat of the Lord Windsor——There help themselves to large store of arms and armour——Plotters and rebels then numbered about sixty all told——Cross the River Stour, in flood——A cart of gunpowder rendered “dank” in crossing——Proceed to Holbeach House, in Staffordshire—— Mansion-house of Stephen Littleton, Esquire, a Roman Catholic gentleman of ancient lineage.