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.