eth that the place of rendezvous was in Warwickshire, and that
armour was sent thither, but the particular thereof he knows not.

"He confesseth that they had consultation for the taking of the Lady Mary
into their possession, but knew not how to come by her.

"And confesseth that provision was made by some of the conspiracy of some
armour of proof this last summer for this action.

"He confesseth that the powder was bought by the common purse of the
confederates.

"L. Admiral [Earl of Nottingham] Earl of Salisbury
L. Chamberlain [Earl of Suffolk] Earl of Mar
Earl of Devonshire Lord Chief Justice [Popham][21]
Earl of Northampton
"Attended by Mr. Attorney-General [Coke]."

[21] _G.P.B._, No. 49. In the Stowe copy the names of the
commissioners are omitted, and a list of fifteen plotters added. As
the paper was enclosed in a letter to Edmondes of the 14th, these
might easily be added at any date preceding that.

The 9th, the day on which Fawkes was put to the torture, brought news to
the government that the fear of insurrection need no longer be entertained.
It had been known before this that Fawkes' confederates had met on the
5th at Dunchurch on the pretext of a hunting-match,[22] and had been
breaking open houses in Warwickshire and Worcestershire in order to
collect arms. Yet so indefinite was the knowledge of the council that,
on the 8th, they offered a reward for the apprehension of Percy alone,
without including any of the other conspirators.[23] On the evening of
the 9th[24] they received a letter from Sir Richard Walsh, the Sheriff
of Worcestershire.

[22] Probably, as Father Gerard suggests, what would now be known
as a coursing-match.

[23] _Proclamation Book, R.O._, p. 117.

[24] A late postscript added to the letter to the ambassadors sent
off on the 9th (_Winwood_, ii. 173) shows that before the end of
the day Salisbury had learned even more of the details than were
comprised in the sheriff's letter.

"We think fit," he wrote, "with all speed to certify your Lordships of
the happy success it hath pleased God to give us against the rebellious
assembly in these parts. After such time as they had taken the horses
from Warwick upon Tuesday night last,[25] they came to Mr. Robert
Winter's house to Huddington upon Wednesday night,[26] where--having
entered--[they] armed themselves at a