Anonymous Letter Sent on October 26, 1605 to Lord Monteagle Concerning a Plot to Blow Up Parliament (Image & Transcripts)
Note: Most historians believe this letter, which doomed the Gunpowder Plot to failure, was written by someone at Monteagle's request as a way to absolve himself from suspicion concerning the plot.
Monteagle presented the letter to Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, who in turn showed it to King James. Monteagle might have learned about the plot from his brother-in-law, Francis Tresham.
Transcript of Monteagle Letter
My lord, out of the love I beare to some of youere frends, I have a care of youre preservacion, therefore I would aduyse you as you tender your life to devise some excuse to shift youer attendance at this parliament, for God and man hath concurred to punishe the wickedness of this tyme, and thinke not slightly of this advertisement, but retire yourself into your country, where you may expect the event in safety, for though there be no apparance of anni stir, yet I saye they shall receive a terrible blow this parliament and yet they shall not seie who hurts them this cowncel is not to be contemned because it may do yowe good and can do yowe no harme for the dangere is passed as soon as yowe have burnt the letter and i hope God will give yowe the grace to mak good use of it to whose holy proteccion i comend yowe.
Transcript in Modern English
My lord, out of the love I bear to some of your friends, I have a care of your preservation, therefore I would advise you, as you tender your life, to devise some excuse to shift off your attendance at this Parliament, for God and Man have concurred to punish the wickedness of this time, and think not slightly of this advertisement but retire yourself into your country where you may expect the event in safety; for though there be no appearance of any stir, yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow this Parliament, and yet they shall not see who hurts them: this counsel is not to be contemned, because it may do you good and can do you no harm, for the danger is passed as soon as you have burnt the letter, and I hope God will give you the grace to make good use of it, to whose Holy Protection I commend you.