Charles Paget (conspirator) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles Paget
A secret message related to the Babington Plot. Charles Paget claimed he could understand this type of code.
Born	c.1546
Died	1612
Noble family	Paget
Father	William Paget, 1st Baron Paget
Mother	Anne Preston

Charles Paget (born around 1546, died 1612) was a Catholic who was involved in secret plans against Queen Elizabeth I of England. He was part of the Babington Plot, which aimed to remove Queen Elizabeth from power.

Family Life and Early Years

Charles Paget was born around 1546. He was one of the younger sons of William Paget, 1st Baron Paget, an important statesman. His mother was Anne Preston. Charles had three brothers, Henry, Thomas, and Edward. He also had six sisters who all married into important families.

School and Inheritance

Charles Paget attended University of Cambridge at Caius College. He left the university in 1559. When his father passed away in 1563, Charles inherited land, including the area of Weston-on-Trent in Derbyshire. He also joined the Middle Temple to study law in 1560, but he never became a lawyer.

Life in Exile

Like many in his family, Charles Paget was a strong Catholic. In 1581, he left England and went to live in other countries, mainly Paris and Rouen in France. This was called going into "exile."

While in Paris, he became close friends with Thomas Morgan. Morgan was an agent for Mary, Queen of Scots. Charles Paget and Morgan worked to keep Mary informed about what was happening in France. They sent messages to her two secretaries in England. Some people said that these four people controlled all of Mary's secret affairs.

Paget and Morgan also helped James Beaton, who was Mary's ambassador in France. They helped manage Mary's money from her lands in France. Both Paget and Morgan received payments from this money.

Plots Against the Queen

Charles Paget and Thomas Morgan were involved in several secret plans against the English government. In 1582, some Catholic leaders planned an invasion of England. The goal was to free Mary, Queen of Scots, and remove Queen Elizabeth from the throne. Paget and Morgan did not fully support this specific plan. It's not clear why, but they might have been cautious.

Paget seemed to be playing a complicated role. He was involved in plots against Queen Elizabeth, but he also sent information to her ministers. In 1582, he wrote to Sir Francis Walsingham, one of Queen Elizabeth's top advisors. He asked for the Queen's favor and freedom to practice his Catholic religion. He also asked to keep his land and money while living abroad.

Secret Trip to England

In 1583, Charles Paget secretly returned to England. He used a fake name, Mope. It was believed he came to plan an invasion with the Duke of Guise and the King of Scots. He hid in a house in Sussex. He also met with important people like Henry Percy, 8th Earl of Northumberland at Petworth. He also met with William Shelley, who was later found guilty of treason.

His brother, Thomas Paget, warned Charles that his actions were not liked in England. Thomas said he would disown Charles if he forgot his duty to England. However, Thomas himself later fled to Paris. After that, he was also suspected of being involved in his brother's secret plans.

Supporting Mary, Queen of Scots, in Paris

In December 1583, Charles Paget, his brother Thomas, and others arrived suddenly in Paris. They told the English ambassador, Sir Edward Stafford, that they left England for their religious beliefs and out of fear. They promised to be loyal to the Queen in all other ways.

Despite this, Charles Paget continued his plans with others. The English government knew about these activities. In 1584, Queen Elizabeth formally asked the King of France to hand over Charles Paget and others. She said they had conspired against her life. The French King refused to hand them over, but he did imprison Thomas Morgan.

Charles Paget was not trusted by Sir Francis Walsingham. Walsingham called him "a most dangerous instrument."

In 1586, Paget met Claud Hamilton in Paris. They hoped Hamilton would support Mary, Queen of Scots, with her son James VI in Scotland. Paget wrote to Mary, mentioning the help he received from others.

Even though his plans often failed, Paget still hoped that a foreign power could change the Protestant religion in England. In 1588, he wrote a letter saying that when an invasion happened, even the most powerful people in England would be glad to have a Catholic gentleman's help. He also claimed he could understand all of Walsingham's secret codes.

Life in Brussels

In March 1588, Paget began working for Philip II of Spain. He moved to Brussels and lived there for eleven years. He continued to write letters, saying he wanted to serve both Queen Elizabeth and the King of Spain. He hoped England and Spain could become friends again.

In 1598, Paget wrote from Liège about his desire to return to England. He mentioned his land, Weston-upon-Trent, which was worth £200 a year. He hoped the Queen would forgive him and restore his rights and property.

Return to Paris and the Scottish Group

By this time, English Catholics living in exile were split into two groups. One group supported Isabella Clara Eugenia, the Spanish princess, for the English throne. The other group, called the Scottish faction, supported James VI of Scotland. Charles Paget became the leader of the Scottish faction.

In 1599, he left his job with the King of Spain and returned to Paris. People described him as someone who had always been involved in arguments and secret plans.

Paget quickly contacted Sir Henry Neville, the English ambassador in Paris. Paget felt that the English government had ignored him. However, he still gave important information to Neville and later to Ralph Winwood, another ambassador.

It seems that Charles Paget's rights were restored when James I became King of England. This likely allowed him to return to England. His family lands, including Weston-on-Trent, were given back to him in 1603. King James I also granted him £200 a year. Charles Paget probably died in England around February 1612. He left his property to the sons of one of his sisters.