Gunpowder, Treason and Flowers

Cardiff Flower Show

Started the RHS year off with a trip to the Cardiff Flower Show. Held in the centre of Cardiff by the Castle, it’s a scenic train ride down the west bank of the Severn, a short walk past the new Millennium Stadium then into the park.

amazing air plants

Innovative display of schools wheelbarrow gardens

Yum!

After our fill of flora it was a river taxi ride dawn the Taff to Cardiff Bay. An eclectic hotch potch of architecture next to a new development of eateries and pubs.

There are also tributes to the Bays favourite son - Rohl Dahl

Coughton Hall

Next day saw us among the gunpowder plotters at Coughton Hall near Alcester.

Coughton is the family seat of the Throckmorton family. The Baronetcy title was created in 1642. It continued in the family for 352 years until the 12th baronet, Sir Anthony, died without an heir in 1994. Bess Throckmorton, the daughter of Anne Carew and Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, was Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Elizabeth I. She secretly married Sir Walter Raleigh in 1591 – much to the fury of the Queen. They were both sent to the Tower of London.When Raleigh was executed in 1618 Bess was rumoured to carry his embalmed head around with her in a red leather sack. Katherine Vaux who married Sir George Throckmorton in the early 16th century was the aunt of Katherine Parr, the 6th and final wife of Henry VIII.

Traditional Catholics they found themselves on the losing side of the Gunpowder Plot. Coughton’s 16th-century priest hole was only rediscovered in the Tower Room in 1858. When it was fully opened up in 1910 still inside were a rope ladder, a small tapestry, bedding and a folding leather altar.

The double hide meant that if anyone chanced upon the first empty compartment, it was unlikely that they would have found the second compartment below, where the priest would have been hiding.

The ringleader of the Gunpowder Plot was Robert Catesby, son of Sir William Catesby and Anne Throckmorton of Coughton Court and nephew of Thomas Throckmorton. He conceived the plot and became its inspirational leader, recruiting the other twelve members. Several of the other plotters were also related to the Throckmorton family.

When the plot failed there was a long tortuous retreat via Coughton and Hagley ending at Holbeach House where the plotters found their gunpowder to be soaking wet. In an attempt to dry out they spread the gunpowder in front of an open fire. 

The Sherriff and his men, who had been trailing the plotters, saw the resulting explosion and surrounded the House.  On the morning of November 8th there was a showdown. Four of the plotters were killed and the others captured. Catesby and Percy were together killed with one musket shot. The plotters were all tried and convicted of treason and subsequently hung, drawn and quartered at the end of January 1606.

Coughton was set in the once great Forest of Arden. There are a number of walks in and around the estate and an attempt is being made to reintroduce forestation in the form of the Heart of England Forest. Also saw our first bluebells on the season there.