John Grant (Gunpowder Plot) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Grant
19th-century portrait of Grant
Born	c. 1570
Died	30 January 1606 (aged 35–36) London, England
Spouse(s)	Dorothy Wintour
Children	Wintour Grant
Motive	Gunpowder plot, a conspiracy to assassinate King James VI & I and members of the Houses of Parliament
Conviction(s)	High treason
Criminal penalty	Hanged, drawn and quartered
Role	Uprising
Enlisted	Early 1605
Date apprehended	8 November 1605

John Grant (born around 1570 – died January 30, 1606) was part of the famous Gunpowder Plot. This was a secret plan to replace the Protestant King James I of England with a Catholic ruler. Grant lived in Norbrook, Warwickshire. He was married to Dorothy Wintour, whose brother, Thomas Wintour, was also involved in the plot.

Grant joined the plot through Robert Catesby. Catesby was very upset that King James was not tolerant of Catholics. He planned to blow up the House of Lords using gunpowder. Grant's job was to gather supplies for an uprising in the English Midlands. During this uprising, they hoped to capture King James's daughter, Princess Elizabeth. However, the plot failed. On the night before the planned explosion, Guy Fawkes was found guarding the gunpowder and was arrested.

After Fawkes's arrest, Grant and the others tried to get support for their uprising. They took horses from Warwick Castle and supplies from Hewell Grange. They then stopped at Holbeche House. There, they tried to dry some wet gunpowder by a fire. A spark landed on the powder, causing a big flash. Grant was blinded in this accident. Government soldiers soon surrounded the house. Grant was captured and taken to London.

In January 1606, Grant was put on trial. He was found guilty of planning to harm the king and government. He received a very severe punishment and was executed three days later, on January 30.

Who Was John Grant?

John Grant was born around 1570. He lived at Norbrook, near Snitterfield in Warwickshire. He was married to Dorothy Wintour, and they had a son named Wintour Grant. People described Grant as a serious and thoughtful person. He was also very smart and studied Latin and other languages.

Grant was known for being strong-willed. He didn't like it when people searched his home for Catholic priests. He made it clear they were not welcome. Grant had also been involved in a smaller rebellion against Queen Elizabeth I before. This showed he was willing to stand up for his beliefs.

The Gunpowder Plot Plan

Many English Catholics hoped things would get better for them when King James I became king. At first, he seemed fair to Catholics. But Robert Catesby felt that James did not keep his promises. Catesby quickly became impatient with the new king. So, he decided to plan a big attack.

Catesby's plan was to kill King James by blowing up the House of Lords with gunpowder. After this, he hoped to start a rebellion and put a Catholic ruler back on the throne.

Catesby brought six other Catholics into his plan. By March 1605, he had recruited three more, including John Grant. Grant received a letter from Catesby inviting him to a meeting in Oxford. There, Grant learned about the secret plan.

Grant's home at Norbrook was important for the uprising. It was in the English Midlands, close to Warwick and Stratford. Grant likely stored weapons and ammunition there. He was also in charge of getting special war horses from nearby Warwick Castle.

Parliament's opening was delayed several times because of the plague. The plotters had placed the explosives under the House of Lords by July 20. But Parliament was delayed again until November 5, 1605. As the plan got closer, the last details were worked out. Guy Fawkes was supposed to light the fuse and then escape. The others would start the uprising in the Midlands and capture King James's daughter, Princess Elizabeth.

On November 4, Grant and a friend were in Dunchurch with Everard Digby and his "hunting party." They attended a church service the next morning before moving on.

How the Plot Failed

Someone sent an anonymous letter to Lord William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle. Because of this, the authorities searched Parliament late on Monday night. They found Guy Fawkes guarding the gunpowder under the House of Lords and arrested him.

Catesby and the others were on their way to the Midlands. They heard about Fawkes's arrest from other plotters who had escaped London. They all rode to Dunchurch to meet Digby's group.

By Wednesday, November 6, the government was looking for Fawkes's friends. Grant's name appeared on a list of suspects. The next day, the government officially named several men as wanted, including Grant (though they mistakenly called him Edward Grant).

The plotters rode to Grant's home at Norbrook. They collected muskets, guns, and ammunition he had stored there. Then they continued west toward Alcester, stopping at Huddington. Early the next morning, they attended a church service and confessed their sins. This showed they felt their lives were in danger.

Riding in heavy rain, the fugitives took weapons, ammunition, and money from Lord Windsor's empty home at Hewell Grange. They hoped for a larger uprising, but the local people did not support them. The group finally reached Holbeche House around 10:00 pm.

They were tired and desperate. They spread some wet gunpowder from Hewell Grange in front of a fire to dry it. A spark from the fire landed on the powder. The flames badly burned Catesby, Rookwood, Grant, and another man.

Grant was blinded by the fire. Some plotters left, but Grant stayed with Catesby, Thomas Wintour, Rookwood, and the Wright brothers. On November 8, the Sheriff of Worcester and his men arrived and surrounded the house. Catesby and Percy were killed, as were both Wright brothers. Wintour, Rookwood, and Grant were wounded and captured.

Trial and Punishment

Grant and the other survivors were taken first to Worcester and then to the Tower of London. On January 27, 1606, they were put on trial. All of them, except Digby, said they were not guilty. But the outcome was clear. They were all found guilty of planning to harm the king and government. They were sentenced to a very harsh punishment.

The first punishments were set for Thursday, January 30, 1606. Grant, along with Digby and Robert Wintour, was taken through the streets of London to St Paul's churchyard. Digby spoke briefly before his punishment. Wintour followed, saying little. Grant was next.

At his trial, when asked why he should not be punished, Grant had said he was "guilty of a conspiracy intended, but never effected." When he faced his punishment, he refused to confess. He was the only one of the condemned to do so. He was led up the ladder quietly and made the sign of the cross. Then, he faced the severe punishment. The other four plotters faced their punishments the next day.