Page "Robert Catesby" Paragraph 7

In 1601 Catesby was involved in the Essex Rebellion.

The Earl of Essex's purpose might have lain in furthering his own interests rather than those of the Catholic Church, but Catesby hoped that if Essex succeeded, there might once more be a Catholic monarch.

The rebellion was a failure however, and the wounded Catesby was captured, imprisoned at the Wood Street Counter, and fined 4, 000 marks ( equivalent to over £ 6 million as of 2008 ) by Elizabeth I.

Sir Thomas Tresham helped pay some of Catesby's fine, following which Catesby sold his estate at Chastleton.

Several authors speculate about Catesby's movements as Elizabeth's health grew worse ; he was probably among those " principal papists " imprisoned by a government fearing open rebellion, and in March 1603 he may have sent Christopher Wright to Spain to see if Philip III would continue to support English Catholics after Elizabeth's death.

Catesby funded the activities of some Jesuit priests, and while visiting them made occasional use of the alias Mr Roberts.