Treason & Plot!

Syon House is a happy hunting ground for local blippers. Especially it's splendid glasshouse (check out lelpix and katherineellis and Me!)
But we're here today for a different reason.
Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland, employed his cousin Thomas Percy as rent collector on the Syon estate. Thomas was sent by Henry on 3 secret missions to the court of James VI of Scotland seeking assurances that persecution of Catholics would be reduced if he acended English throne.
Later, when Thomas was exposed as a conspiritor in the Gunpowder Plot, Henry fell under suspicion too & was imprisioned in the Tower of London for the next 17 years.
Henry never had a chance to discuss the matter with Thomas. As Thomas fled to Holbeche House, in the West Midlands, where on 8th November 16o5, legend has it a marksman shot him & fellow conspiritor Robert Catesby dead with a single bullet.

Hope you're having a great Bonfire Night!