Thomas Bates
| Thomas Bates | |
|---|---|
A contemporary engraving of Bates, by Crispijn van de Passe.
|
|
| Details | |
| Born | 1567 Lapworth, Warwickshire |
| Spouse(s) | Martha Bates |
| Occupation | Retainer |
| Plot | |
| Role | Catesby's retainer |
| Conviction(s) | High treason |
| Penalty | Hanged, drawn and quartered |
| Died | 30 January 1606 Westminster, London, England |
| Cause | Hanged, drawn and quartered |
Thomas Bates (1567 – 30 January 1606) was a member of the group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Bates was born at Lapworth in Warwickshire, and became a retainer to Robert Catesby, who from 1604 planned to kill King James I by blowing up the House of Lords with gunpowder, and inciting a popular revolt during which a Catholic monarch would be restored to the English throne. Bates was invited to join the conspiracy after he accidentally became aware of it. As he rode with Catesby to prepare for the group's planned uprising on 5 November 1605, Guy Fawkes was found guarding the gunpowder stored under the House of Lords and arrested. Bates subsequently accompanied Catesby and his small group of fugitives to Holbeche House in Staffordshire, but left shortly before his master was killed there by government forces on 8 November. He was subsequently captured and taken to London.
Bates was the only member of the group to implicate the Jesuits in the conspiracy, but may have done so only to alleviate his punishment. He retracted his statement when it became clear he was to be executed. Three days after his trial on 27 January 1606, he was hanged, drawn and quartered.
Bates was born at Lapworth in Warwickshire, and was married to Martha Bates. He was employed as a retainer to Sir Robert Catesby's family, and with his wife lived in a cottage on the Catesby family estate. He was allowed his own servant, as well as his own armour. Bates was considered a loyal and devoted servant to Catesby.
Bates was the seventh man to be enlisted into what became known as the Gunpowder Plot, a scheme devised early in 1604 by Catesby to kill King James I by blowing up the House of Lords with gunpowder, and inciting a popular revolt during which a Catholic monarch would be restored to the English throne. Bates's involvement in the plot began when he became suspicious of Catesby's movements. In December 1604 he was invited to his master's lodgings at Puddle Wharf in London, and questioned there by Thomas Wintour and Catesby, who had noted his suspicion. Bates told them that he thought that they "intended some dangerous matter about the Parliament House, because he had been sent to get a lodging near unto that place." At that point the two men let Bates in on the secret.
...
Wikipedia