Page:A history of the gunpowder plot-The conspiracy and its agents (1904).djvu/296

266 had spoken with my Lord Montague, who made suit to be absent from the Parliament, and said he had advised his Lordship so to do, because he could do no good there.

'He likewise said the Lord Mordaunt would not come until the middle of the Parliament, because at the former occasion when the King went to the ceremony, he was fain to sit in the Parliament House with his robes on whilst the King was at church.

'And it was further said amongst them that the Lord Stourton by accident would not come until the Friday following. He further said that he understood by Catesby and Winter that Francis Tresham and they had some conversation about the Lord Mounteagle. Tresham having been exceeding earnest to have his Lordship warned to be absent from the Parliament.

'They were desirous to have warned the Earl of Arundel to absent himself, but they understood—though he was under years—yet he made great suit to be there.

'He likewise saith it was considered and concluded amongst them that the best course and most convenient means to persuade the Catholic lords to be absent from the Parliament was, in letting them understand the straight laws against Catholics, and the little good they could do with their presence.

'He further saith that Christopher Wright had been at the Earl of Northumberland's house on the Sunday before the Parliament, and at his return told Percy that it was known in my Lord's house he was come up to London, whereupon Percy went thither.