Robert Wintour, English conspirator (b. 1565)

The Wintour Brothers: Key Figures in the Gunpowder Plot

Robert Wintour (1568 – 30 January 1606) and his younger brother, Thomas Wintour (1571 or 1572 – 31 January 1606), prominent figures also known by the spelling 'Winter', were central members of the notorious Gunpowder Plot. This audacious, yet ultimately failed, conspiracy in 1605 sought to assassinate King James I of England and VI of Scotland, along with the Protestant aristocracy, by blowing up the Houses of Parliament during the State Opening. Their involvement underscores the deep religious and political tensions prevalent in early 17th-century England.

Familial and Conspiratorial Connections

The Gunpowder Plot was not merely a collection of isolated individuals but a tightly knit network, often bound by kinship and shared religious fervor. Robert and Thomas Wintour were brothers and integral to this conspiratorial web. They shared a significant familial connection with Robert Catesby, the plot's charismatic and determined mastermind, being his first cousins. This familial tie likely cemented their trust and commitment to the perilous enterprise. Furthermore, their half-brother, John Wintour, also became entangled in the aftermath of the plot's failure, offering a brief refuge to fugitives, though he was not an initial participant in the core conspiracy.

Thomas Wintour: From Scholar-Soldier to Fervent Catholic

Thomas Wintour was a man of remarkable intellect and varied experiences, standing out among his peers. He was highly educated, fluent in several languages including Spanish and French, and possessed legal training, skills that would typically lead to a distinguished public career. However, he chose a different path, becoming a soldier and fighting for England in various conflicts across Europe. His military service included campaigns in the Low Countries, supporting the Dutch Protestant rebels against Spanish rule, and possibly engagements in France and Central Europe. These experiences provided him with valuable knowledge of military tactics and a pragmatic understanding of European power dynamics.

Despite his background serving Protestant England, a profound transformation occurred by 1600: Thomas became a fervent Catholic. This conversion reflected a growing disaffection with the established Church of England and a deep concern for the plight of English Catholics, who faced severe penal laws, including heavy fines for recusancy (non-attendance at Anglican services), and restrictions on their civil liberties. Driven by this conviction, Thomas undertook several clandestine journeys to the European continent, particularly to Spain. He ardently lobbied the Spanish court on behalf of England's persecuted Catholic community, suggesting that with direct Spanish military and financial support, a widespread Catholic rebellion against the English crown could be ignited to restore Catholicism as the state religion.

The Futility of Foreign Intervention and the Birth of the Gunpowder Plot

Thomas Wintour's fervent pleas for Spanish intervention, however, ultimately proved futile. By 1604, a significant geopolitical shift was underway: momentum was building towards a lasting peace settlement between England and Spain, culminating in the signing of the Treaty of London in August 1604. This landmark treaty formally ended the Anglo-Spanish War (1585-1604), rendering Spain unwilling to jeopardise newly established diplomatic relations by supporting English Catholic insurgents. Thomas's efforts fell on deaf ears, as Spain's strategic priorities no longer aligned with aiding a Catholic uprising in England.

Frustrated by the lack of foreign assistance, Thomas returned to England in 1604 and, alongside Robert Catesby, shifted focus to a desperate domestic solution. Catesby's audacious plan was radical: to restore Catholicism in England not through foreign invasion but by a swift, devastating act of regicide. The scheme involved detonating explosives beneath the Houses of Parliament during the State Opening, thereby annihilating King James I, his Protestant heir Prince Henry, and the entire English government. This act, they believed, would trigger a popular Catholic revolt, particularly in the Midlands, where a critical mass of Catholic gentry resided. Following the anticipated chaos, Catesby intended to abduct King James's nine-year-old daughter, Princess Elizabeth, and install her as a titular queen, hoping to exert influence over her and establish a new Catholic monarchy under their control.

In a final, desperate attempt to secure some form of external support or at least expertise, Thomas Wintour once again travelled to the continent. While he again failed to secure Spanish aid, this journey proved pivotal for the plot's operational aspect. In Flanders, he met Guy Fawkes, a seasoned English Catholic soldier and explosives expert who had fought for Spain in the Low Countries. Fawkes's military experience and technical knowledge of gunpowder made him an invaluable recruit. Thomas returned to England with Fawkes, introducing him to Catesby and the nascent conspiracy.

Robert Wintour's Commitment to the Cause

The following year, in 1605, Robert Wintour, Thomas's elder brother, formally joined the unfolding conspiracy. Robert was a devout Catholic, known for his deep piety and commitment to his faith. He inherited Huddington Court near Worcester, a significant family estate that, owing to its secluded location and the Wintour family's strong Catholic ties, would later serve as a temporary refuge for the desperate conspirators.

The Plot Unravels: The Monteagle Letter and Capture

The meticulously planned conspiracy began to unravel dramatically in late October 1605. On 26 October, an anonymous letter was delivered to William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle, a Catholic peer and brother-in-law to one of the conspirators, Francis Tresham. The letter cryptically warned Monteagle to absent himself from the State Opening of Parliament, stating that "they shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament and yet shall not see who hurts them." Monteagle, despite his Catholic sympathies, showed the letter to King James I, who promptly ordered a thorough search of the Parliament cellars.

The delivery of the Monteagle Letter caused significant alarm among the conspirators. Thomas Wintour and Robert Catesby immediately suspected Francis Tresham, who had joined the plot relatively late and was known for his financial difficulties. They confronted Tresham, threatening him with death if he was the informer. Tresham, however, managed to vehemently deny his involvement and convince them of his innocence, though historical debate continues over his role as the potential author of the letter. At this critical juncture, foreseeing the imminent danger, Thomas Wintour reportedly urged Catesby to abandon the perilous scheme, recognising the extreme risk of discovery. However, Catesby, driven by an unyielding fanaticism, dismissed his brother's counsel.

The climax of the discovery occurred just after midnight on 4 November 1605. As a parliamentary search party, led by Sir Thomas Knyvet, systematically explored the vaults beneath the Houses of Parliament, they discovered Guy Fawkes in the cellar guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder. Fawkes was immediately arrested, and his capture effectively sealed the plot's fate.

The Desperate Flight and Final Stand at Holbeche House

Upon learning of Fawkes's capture, Thomas Wintour immediately fled London. He made his way to his brother Robert's estate, Huddington Court, which served as a rallying point for the surviving conspirators. Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy, and other core plotters, now fugitives, embarked on a desperate two-day flight across the Midlands. They attempted to ignite the promised Catholic rebellion, riding from county to county, but their efforts were met with overwhelming apathy and even hostility from the local populace, both Catholic and Protestant. Their dwindling group of supporters, exhausted and demoralized, eventually sought refuge at Holbeche House in Staffordshire on 7 November.

At Holbeche House, a tragic accident sealed their doom. While attempting to dry out damp gunpowder near a fire, a spark ignited a small portion of it, causing an explosion that injured several conspirators, including Catesby and Thomas Wintour. This incident further crippled their morale and readiness for the inevitable confrontation. Thomas, having rejoined the main group, chose to remain with his comrades, accepting their fate.

On 8 November 1605, government forces, led by the Sheriff of Worcestershire, Sir Richard Walsh, besieged Holbeche House. In the ensuing firefight, several conspirators, including Robert Catesby and Thomas Percy, were shot and killed. Thomas Wintour was shot in the shoulder, severely wounded, and captured. Robert Wintour, who had left Holbeche House before the final confrontation, managed to evade capture for a longer period, but was eventually apprehended in January 1606.

Confessions, Trial, and Execution

Much of the historical understanding of the Gunpowder Plot, including the intricate details of its planning and the motivations of its participants, is significantly derived from Thomas Wintour's extensive confessions. These detailed statements were given while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London throughout November 1605. While such confessions were often extracted under duress and physical torture, Thomas Wintour's account is considered remarkably lucid and consistent with other evidence, making it a crucial primary source for historians.

The trial of the surviving conspirators, including Robert and Thomas Wintour, commenced on 27 January 1606 at Westminster Hall. They were charged with high treason against the Crown. The trial was largely a formality, with the outcome predetermined. Both brothers were found guilty and sentenced to the horrific punishment for treason: to be hanged, drawn, and quartered.

Robert Wintour was executed on 30 January 1606, and Thomas Wintour on 31 January 1606, in Old Palace Yard, Westminster. This brutal form of execution involved being dragged to the gallows (drawn), hanged almost to the point of death, disemboweled while still alive (drawn again, referring to the removal of entrails), beheaded, and then quartered (body divided into four parts). These gruesome public spectacles served as a stark warning to anyone contemplating similar acts against the monarchy and the state.

Frequently Asked Questions about Robert and Thomas Wintour

Who were Robert and Thomas Wintour?
Robert and Thomas Wintour were brothers and prominent members of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a conspiracy to assassinate King James I and overthrow the Protestant government in England to restore Catholicism.
What was Thomas Wintour's background before joining the plot?
Thomas Wintour was an educated man, trained as a lawyer and fluent in several languages. He also served as a soldier in various European conflicts before converting to a fervent Catholic and becoming involved in efforts to secure foreign support for English Catholics.
How were the Wintour brothers related to Robert Catesby?
Robert and Thomas Wintour were first cousins to Robert Catesby, who was the primary mastermind behind the Gunpowder Plot.
Why did Thomas Wintour seek Spanish support for English Catholics?
Thomas Wintour sought Spanish support because Spain was a major Catholic power and he believed that foreign intervention, combined with a potential domestic rebellion, could alleviate the severe persecution faced by English Catholics under the penal laws.
What role did the Monteagle Letter play in the plot's discovery?
The Monteagle Letter, an anonymous warning sent to Baron Monteagle, was crucial. It alerted King James I to a potential threat to Parliament, leading to the search that uncovered Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder barrels, thus unraveling the plot.
Where were the Wintour brothers captured or killed?
Thomas Wintour was shot and captured at Holbeche House in Staffordshire during the final stand of the conspirators. Robert Wintour evaded capture for longer but was eventually apprehended in January 1606.
What was the fate of Robert and Thomas Wintour?
Both Robert and Thomas Wintour were tried for high treason on 27 January 1606, found guilty, and subsequently executed by being hanged, drawn, and quartered in Old Palace Yard, Westminster, on 30 January and 31 January 1606, respectively.