Guy Fawkes and the Plan to Kidnap the King's Daughter from Coombe Abbey
Each property within our portfolio has its own history – from the interesting to the intriguing, to the utterly outrageous – but many of them also have a distinct link to one or more notable figures in history. Whether the home of a Medieval monarch, a retreat for a famous actor or a battlement scene of a legendary warrior, if our castle walls could talk they certainly would! Here’s a story perfect for the season and particularly Bonfire Night…
Coombe Abbey was founded in 1150 AD by Cistercian Monks; it was then known as the Abbey of Cumbe. Today guests will travel from far and wide to experience its charming hospitality, magnificent architecture and beautiful countryside setting in the heart of Warwickshire.
Coombe Abbey has an illustrious past and has witnessed some of the most significant moments in history, from housing royals to its surrender by Henry VIII as part of the dissolution of the monasteries. However, one of its most infamous stories is the pivotal role it played in the Gunpowder Plot.
Guy Fawkes, The Gunpowder Plot and Bonfire Night
Bonfire Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Night, is celebrated in the UK each year on 5 November. It commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when a group of Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament to overthrow Protestant King James I. The plot was foiled, and Fawkes was arrested. It became tradition to mark the event by lighting bonfires and setting off fireworks.
The story of Guy Fawkes is well known, but not so famous are the many anti-establishment co-conspirators who supported him. One of which was Robert Catesby of Lapworth, leader of the English Catholics group...
Kidnap and treason
Catesby‘s elaborate plan was to kidnap Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King James I, who was staying at Coombe Abbey under the supervision of John Harrington, the king’s close friend. Catesby planned to assassinate the king and any male heirs, force the princess to act as a puppet queen and reintroduce the Catholic faith to England.
On the night of 4 November, the conspirators headed for Dunsmore Heath for a mock hunt – a cover for the capture of Princess Elizabeth. However, unbeknown to them, authorities in London had been warned about the treasonous plan owing to an anonymous letter.
A plan thwarted!
The plot had been foiled. The princess was moved from Coombe Abbey into the walls of Coventry until the conspirators were captured and arrested.
Subsequently, Fawkes and other conspirators were tried for high treason in Westminster Hall on 27 January 1606. All were convicted and sentenced to death.
What does Coombe Abbey offer today?
Coombe Abbey is a magnificent four-star hotel, ideally situated to enjoy the cultural and historic Medieval market town of Stratford-upon-Avon and within easy reach of major English cities, including London.
The beautiful twelfth-century façade is reflected in a serene lake beside the long tendrils of a giant weeping willow, revealing the most dramatic scene. Within, lavish interiors portray Coombe’s opulent history and, furnished with hand-carved, four-poster beds and antiques, each room is the epitome of elegance and grandeur.
Nestled in picturesque wooded parkland that features enchanting formal gardens, Coombe Abbey boasts breath-taking views from every one of its long Georgian windows. A plethora of family-friendly activities beckons both from the grounds and further afield, including the famous high-ropes adventure experience, Go Ape, set within Coombe’s 500-acre estate.
The food and drink at Coombe is a feast for the senses whilst the bedrooms are richly coloured and decadently styled, some named after the notable figures who inspired Coombe’s success over the centuries.
Made for royalty
Back to our original tale, Coombe Abbey has aptly named one of the bedrooms after Princess Elizabeth herself. Decorated in shades of burgundy and gold, it features a magnificent four-poster bed and a private staircase that leads to a hidden bathroom in the turret. Perhaps this is the bedroom she stayed in all those years ago...