Note A — Chapter XXIX

I think that Lord Mounteagle or Thomas Ward (or both) must have given some member of the Privy Council a hint that a Christopher Wright was a probable conspirator, for it is noticeable that on the 5th of November several persons testified as to Christopher Wright’s recent whereabouts. Ward probably hoped that Wright’s name would be joined with Percy’s in the Proclamation, and so haply warn the conspirators the better that the avenger of blood was behind. Or, the Government may have procured Christopher Wright’s name from some paper or papers found in Thomas Percy’s London house, on the 5th of November, the day of Fawkes’ capture.

At that time the Privy Council undertook all preliminary inquiries in regard to the crime of High Treason. It is different now; at first the case may be brought before an ordinary magistrate.