Sir Thomas Egerton was one of the earliest owners of the Tatton Park estate. The following timely account of his significance in the Gunpowder Plot trials has been provided by local historian, Bernard Dennis. The article was first published in the Chester Chronicle.
On 6 April 1617, a funeral took place in the bell tower of St Mary’s Church, Dodleston. This was no ordinary burial but that of the most important person in the land and second only to King James I.
This person was Sir Thomas Egerton, Lord High Chancellor, Lord Ellesmere and Viscount Brackley. Such titles can only suggest his importance but he had dedicated his life to his previous monarch Queen Elizabeth I and the roles he undertook had transferred to the new king after his accession to the throne in March 1603.
Sir Thomas, in his role of Lord High Chancellor was the prime advocate in the land and as such presided over all of the major trials, especially those connected with treason.
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| Sir Thomas Egerton © Tatton Park/National Trust/ Cheshire East Council |
On Tuesday 5 November 1605 the famous occurrence of those who plotted against King James I were caught when they tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament with a substantial quantity of gunpowder. The plotters, led by Guido (Guy) Fawkes were intent on destroying the King and legislature in a single blow. Included in the assembly was Sir Thomas Egerton.
As history shows, the attempt was not successful and those caught and implicated in the plot were all apprehended, jailed and sent for trial.
The trial took place in January 1606 in front of nine commissioners headed by Sir Thomas Egerton in his role as Lord Chancellor.
In previous years, Sir Thomas Egerton had conducted many of the famous trials, especially those involving plots against the Crown and he had a fearsome reputation for extracting confessions before the trials by the use of the Rack.
Guy Fawkes, and others were subjected to this treatment and a record exists of his signature before his torture on the Rack and afterwards. His name is barely recognisable!
Needless to say, all the plotters were found guilty and summarily executed by being hanged, drawn and quartered.
Sir Thomas Egerton carried on in his role as Lord High Chancellor until his death in March 1617.
Having been born close to Dodleston in 1540 as an illegitimate child of Sir Richard Egerton and Alice Sparke, a lowly maidservant from Dodleston Hall, his progression to being the second most powerful man of the times is a remarkable story.
He chose St Mary’s Church Dodleston for his final resting place where he could be close to his first wife, Lady Elizabeth who died in 1588 and his first born son, also Sir Thomas, who died in action in Dublin in 1599.
Before and after signatures of Guido Fawkes
Bernard Dennis
www.bernarddennis.co.uk
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