William Parker Biography

Birth of William Parker, Thirteenth Baron Morley, 4th Baron Monteagle

Monteagle received an anonymous letter while at his house in Hoxton, warning him to stay away from Parliament, uncertain of its meaning he delivered it to Salisbury, who before he received the letter was already aware of certain stirrings

After deciphering the letter, Parker rushed to Whitehall and showed it to Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, who then showed it to the King

An anonymous letter warned Lord Monteagle to avoid the opening of Parliament. This letter was possibly sent by Monteagles brother-in-law, Francis Tresham.

Despite quickly becoming aware of the letter - informed by one of Monteagles servants - the conspirators resolved to continue with their plans, as it appeared that it "was clearly thought to be a hoax".

On the evening of 26 October, Lord Monteagle received an anonymous letter warning him to stay away, and to "retyre youre self into yowre contee whence yow maye expect the event in safti for ... they shall receyve a terrible blowe this parleament".

The Monteagle letter betraying the plot is delivered to Baron Monteagle.

The letter had been shown to the king on Friday 1 November, James felt that it hinted at "some strategem of fire and powder",perhaps an explosion exceeding in violence the one that killed his father, Lord Darnley, in 1567

For his service in protecting the crown, Monteagle was rewarded with 500 pounds and 200 pounds worth of lands.

John Whynniard, the property's owner, told the searchers that Thomas Percy held the tenancy.

Monteagle then told Suffolk that the warning letter could have come from Percy.

William Parker joined Thomas Howard in searching the basement of Parliament, where they found the stash of gunpowder and explosives.

William Parker, fourth Baron Monteagle, attended the search of Parliament's undercroft.

The lot is betrayed by an anonymous letter to Lord Monteagle. Monteagles suspicions had been aroused however, and the letter was shown to King James

Death of William Parker, Thirteenth Baron Morley, 4th Baron Monteagle