Who was Anne Vaux and was she involved in the Gunpowder Plot?
Anne Vaux was an important figure in British Catholicism, but was she connected to the Gunpowder Plot? Read on to find out.
Image: Charlotte Pyke portraying Anne Vaux in Gunpowder Siege | Gunpowder Siege
Gunpowder Siege dramatically reimagines the most infamous rebellion plot in British history, shattering the myths to reveal the largely forgotten, gripping truth behind the Gunpowder Plot. Prepare to see the story you thought you knew - blown wide open. The show starts Monday, 4th November on Sky HISTORY.
The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 is a particularly notorious event in British history. The plot involved a group of English Catholics seeking to change the religious regime after being persecuted for decades following the Protestant Reformation.
The plan was to assassinate King James I as well as various Parliament Members by planting gunpowder underneath the House of Lords. The plan failed, but the scheme and its conspirators became infamous in British history.
We all know the names of those held responsible, especially well-known conspirator Guy Fawkes. However, there were many other people on the sidelines who are often overlooked. Some of these people weren’t directly involved, but they still had strong ties to the plot..
One such historical figure is Anne Vaux. Vaux had connections to the plotters, but she was also an important Catholic figure who fought to keep her faith alive. Let’s take a closer look at the life of Anne Vaux and how she can be linked to the Gunpowder Plot.
Anne Vaux’s early life and family
Anne Vaux was born in 1562 to William Vaux and Elizabeth Beaumont. William Vaux’s full title was 3rd Baron of Harrowden (from 1535 to 1595). Elizabeth was the daughter of John Beaumont of Grace Dieu, Leicester.
Anne’s family was prominent and wealthy, but her father was a strong supporter of Catholicism. They faced various struggles due to the Protestant Reformation. For instance, her father was fined regularly for not attending Protestant services held by the state church. His debt became so large that he eventually had to pawn his parliamentary robes. At the time of his death, Vaux had lost his home and his pride as he refused to let go of his faith.
The devotion to Catholicism continued within the Vaux family. Anne’s brother Henry was so dedicated that he became an essential operative in the underground resistance that fought to maintain Catholicism. Henry dealt with communications and intelligence and handled money for the cause. He also maintained a relief fund for Catholic priests in hiding. However, in 1586, he was arrested when the Vaux residence was raided. He died in prison the following year.
Anne takes up the family cause
Anne and her sister Eleanor Brooksby went on to follow in the footsteps of their father and brother. The sisters supported the Catholic priests in hiding by renting out safe houses for them to convene.
Anne’s connections to the Gunpowder Plotters
Let’s take a look at which Gunpowder Plot conspirators and associates Anne had links to.
Father Henry Garnet
Garnet was a Jesuit priest who Anne was close to. Garnet’s ties to the Catholic community led him to learn of the plot. One of the main conspirators – Robert Catesby – confessed his involvement to another Jesuit priest. This priest then told Garnet, but Garnet would not break his oath to his faith by disclosing the information.
When the plot was foiled, Anne tried to help him hide. However, he was eventually apprehended. Anne attempted to send Garnet hidden messages while he was in prison. She would give his gaoler letters written in orange juice, which can be used as invisible ink when exposed to heat.
Despite pleading his innocence, Garnet was executed for treason on 3rd May 1606.
Francis Tresham
Francis Tresham was Anne’s cousin, but he was also one of the conspirators of the Gunpowder Plot. An interesting fact about the cousins is that they are the two main suspects when it comes to a letter written to William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle.
This letter warned Parker to not go to Parliament on 5th November, when the gunpowder was planned to be ignited. However, the letter’s author has never been determined conclusively.
Robert Catesby
Robert Catesby was the leader of the Gunpowder Plotters, and he was also a cousin of Anne Vaux. Much like the Vaux’s, the Catesby’s were wealthy Catholic recusants. Despite being married to a Protestant woman, Catesby was disillusioned by the treatment of Catholics in Britain, leading to the creation of the Gunpowder Plot.
Anne’s sentence
Anne was not involved in the plot directly, but her connections were such that she was implicated. She was interrogated, and argued her innocence. She did, however, admit to having the conspirators in her home.
Though she was not formally punished, Anne had to live under government surveillance for the rest of her life. Despite this, she was still able to work with her fellow Catholics, although she could only do so under governmental scrutiny.
