A GREAT DISCOVERY OF A DAMNABLE PLOT AT Rugland CASTLE In Monmoth-shire in WALES: Related to the High Court of Parliament, by John Davis, November the 12. 1641. The chief Actor being the Earl of Worcester, Wherein is discovered the Number of Horses, Men, Powder, Match and Shot by them prepared, with the places where they are, and the Danger we were in, had not God by his Mercy protected US. With certain Quaeres presented to the High Court of Parliament Concerning such wicked designs. As also, the Reasons wherefore the House of Commons gave strict command, that there should be a strong watch set about the Earl of worcester's house, and the French Ambassadors. Wherennto is annexed, the true Relation of a damnable Plot which was discovered on tuesday last, by a Religious man intended against the High Court of Parliament. LONDON Printed by Barnard Alsop, MDCXLJ. A great DISCOVERY Of the damnable gunpowder PLOT, At Rugland Castle; in Hereford shire. Lately found out by John Davis. The chief Agent in this Hellish Plot, is the Earl of WORCESTER. ONe John Davis▪ servant to Mistress Lewis, who keepeth an inn at the sign of the George in Rosse, in the County of Hereford, near unto Rugland castle in Monmouth shire, where the Earl of Worcester now is. This John Davis being newly come to London, chanced to be at Alderman Acton's, one of the Aldermen of the city of London: and being formerly acquainted with his coachman, related unto him the Discovery of a dangerous Plot, which the Earl of Worster hath cunningly contrived at this time. Which when the coachman had heard related, he acquainted his Master, the said Alderman Acton therewith; who caused him to be brought in unto him, and asking him further of it, he thought it worthy the consideration of the honourable Assembly in the high Court of Parliament, and therefore brought the said John Davis before the house of Commons on Friday last▪ being the 12 day of November. The said John Davis being called into the house to relate this discovery, was commanded by Mr. Speaker to relate what he knew of it. Alderman Acton being also present, told him that the thing that the house did require of him, was to relate that to them, which before he did to him. Then he being a plain Country-fellow, and not able so fully to express himself: yet so well as he could, spoke to this effect. May it please your honours, to give me leave to speak the truth, so near as I can, as I have formerly done to this Gentleman Mr. Acton: I am, and it please your honours, a poor man, the servant of Mistress Lewis, she keeps an inn at the town of Rosse, in Hereford shire. And not long since, there came two Gentlemen to lodge at my mistress's house; who when they went away, desired of my Mistress a guide to conduct them to the Earl of Worcester at Rugland Castle in Monmouth shire. Now my Mistress keeping a good Gelden or two always in the stable: in case any Guests should want upon any urgent occasion, I knowing of the way thither very well, it pleased my Mistress to appoint me to go with them, which I did, and returned home again orderly, as I use to do, receiving satisfaction for my pains. Afterwards again there came a very person●ble gentleman to our Inn himself alone, having no company at all: who having lain there all night, desired my Mistress likewise to have some man to conduct him to the said Castle, to the aforesaid Earl of Worcester. And she sent me with him also, as she did before with the other two. So in the next morning we set out, and I rode with him on the way, upon a very good Gelding of my Mstresses, as I used to do. And when we came to the Castle, he alighted, and caused me to alight also: he was a very portly man for person; he had a Monteer on his head, with a red feather in it, and very rich in apparel, and going into the house he called for some water to wash his hands, which was brought to him in a pewter basin, but he refused, as being unwilling to wash in pewter. Then he called for a Venice glass, which glass they brought with water, holding about a quart: which glass he took, and set the bottom of it in the basin of water; for the top he could not, it being about a foot high, there he set it, and washed his hands in it. To what end this Ceremony was used, I do not know, your honours can better judge of it than I. Then I having conducted this gentleman hither, he paid me, and gave me satisfaction, and my horse was set in the Earls stable to beat a while, to the end, that afterward I might the better return home. I being there in the stable, saw many light Horses, and falling in discourse with the groom of the stable, he showed me to the number of about threescore horses prepared for war. And he seemed to me, to go about to entice me by many persuasions, and enticements to have an affection to stay there. After he had showed més all that was in that stable, he led me into a Uault-under the ground, which went round about the Castle, where was made an obscure stable: in which I perceived about twelve light Horses for it was dark I could not well see. I was going further into that stable under ground to have seen the rest of the house there, which was, as he reported, about forty, but it was so dark, that I was fearful to go any further, for fear of danger. In another place under ground, he showed me furniture for about six or sevenscore of horse. In which place was furniture also, for about two thousand men, with great store of match and powder, and other Ammunition belonging to war, in abundance: one of these stabl●s I guess to be about sixscore foot in length, and twenty four foot in breadth. Then he was leading me to show me the Uault that went round about the Castle: but I was fearful, partly having regard to my charge, the Gelding whereon I rode, lest I should be cozened of him, and partly in regard I was in so dangerous a place: therefore I desired to make the more haste away. Then he returned with me to my horse again, and amongst other discourse, he told me that his master the Earl of Worcester, gave notice privately, that any man who would be entertained, should have sixteen pence a day, good pay from him, in case they would be true to him. And to press me, as I conceive, to have some desire to serve him: he told me that his master had at this time seven hundred men under pay. But I, being nothing at all pleased with this discourse, hasted away to return to my own business at home, where I returned immediately: and now by God's providence, am come hither to acquaint your honours with what I know. After the house, had heard him speak, they took notice of it, and appointed him to come again certain days before them. In the mean time, great care is taken, to provide for his safety, and great charge given at his lodging, that he shall want for nothing. Queries upon this Plot, humbly presented to the High Court of Parliament. 1 Whether Father Philips was not an Agent in this Plot? 2 Whether there be not more such evil-affected plotters in Wales besides? 3 What evil consequence might ensue of our hopeful Princes going to such a place▪ 4 What punishment they are worthy of, who shall seek to have him there? 5 Whether we have not as just cause to fear the Papists in England, as they had in Ireland & Wales, and if they should once take an head, and he not prevented, what evil consequence may ensue thereof? FINIS. UPon this plot discovered, the Parliament hath caused a strong Guard of men to be set about the Earl of worcester's house here in London. As also, they have caused another strong Guard to be set about the French Ambassadors house in Lincoln's inn fields supposing he hath some hand in this business, & to be a chief Agent in this damnable Plot▪ The true Relation of the great discovery, which was brought to light on tuesday last, being the 16 day of November, 1641. THere was a cruel and wicked Plot discovered about the City of London, which was intended against some of the chief Members in the High Court of Parliament, and brought to light by a religious man. Therefore it was commanded by the house of Commons, that great search should be made for the finding out of two Frenchmen. who were supposed to be the chief Agents in this wicked Design. FINIS.