Oswald Tesimond
Encyclopedia
Oswald Tesimond was a Jesuit born in either Northumberland
or York
who, while not a direct conspirator, had some involvement in the Gunpowder Plot
.
He was educated in York, in the Royal school of William and Mary in the Horse Fayre, which cost no money to attend. Guy Fawkes
. Edward Oldcorne
and brothers Christopher and John Wright
were among Tesimond's classmates, all of whom would become involved in the Gunpowder Plot. Tesimond was entered into the Society of Jesus
in 1584, but not before he left the English College in Rome, into which he had been first initiated; to leave the College and come into the Society, he required special permission from the cardinal protector
(who was Giovanni Morone
, at the time), which he successfully obtained.
Later, among other things, Tesimond studied theology
in Messina, where he afterwards taught philosophy
. Sometime before he left on the English mission, during November 1587, he was ordained, but the exact date is not known. As part of this mission, he arrived at Gravesend
on 9 March 1598. For eight years he then worked with Edward Oldcorne
in Worcestershire
and Warwickshire
before he was professed of the Jesuits' four vows on 28 October 1603.
Later, he became somewhat involved in the Gunpowder Plot, after receiving knowledge related to the nature of the plan. He concealed his intelligence, despite his faith. He effectively documented his experiences in a narrative which he sometime after wrote.
He lived the later part of his life in various places, including Saint-Omer and Naples. He died on 23 August 1636, at 73 years of age.
, someone who was deeply involved. Tesimond, after gaining the knowledge, proceeded to inform his Jesuit superior, Henry Garnet
. He did this during confession, probably on or around 23 July 1605.
With the knowledge he possessed, Tesimond and Garnet decided to give religious consolations to the conspirators. They both did this despite the nature of the plot, which involved treason; obviously, their choice of keeping their knowledge secret constituted a violation of the law. He gave these consolations on 6 November 1605 at Huddington
, after they had returned from London
. It was perhaps a result of this kindness to the conspirators on Tesimond's part that saw Thomas Wintour
, at his later execution, clear all Jesuits (Tesimond specifically and most especially), from any involvement, and from any prior knowledge.
to be studied in depth, with the hope it might reveal crucial information to the Jesuit authorities.
Tesimond's arrest warrant was sworn out on 15 January 1606, describing him in detail:
However, Tesimond was able to escape arrest. He evaded the constables of London, then made his way to safe houses in Essex
and Suffolk
. He then proceeded to sail to Calais
among a cargo of dead pigs by passing as the owner of the load.
. After some time there, he moved southward, finally arriving in Naples, Italy. This was documented in a letter by Sir Edwin Rich
. This letter, addressed to James I of England
, warned the king against taking a gift that he might receive, which Rich warned would consist of poisoned clothing from Tesimond; in England, vigilance was still elevated after the events that transpired following the Gunpowder Plot.
Later, from the year 1617, Tesimond was prefect of studies and consulter in Messina. He held this position there for many years, among time spent in Rome during the most of 1621, and among other minor occupations.
Tesimond died and was buried in Naples.
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
or York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
who, while not a direct conspirator, had some involvement in the Gunpowder Plot
Gunpowder Plot
The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, in earlier centuries often called the Gunpowder Treason Plot or the Jesuit Treason, was a failed assassination attempt against King James I of England and VI of Scotland by a group of provincial English Catholics led by Robert Catesby.The plan was to blow up the House of...
.
He was educated in York, in the Royal school of William and Mary in the Horse Fayre, which cost no money to attend. Guy Fawkes
Guy Fawkes
Guy Fawkes , also known as Guido Fawkes, the name he adopted while fighting for the Spanish in the Low Countries, belonged to a group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.Fawkes was born and educated in York...
. Edward Oldcorne
Edward Oldcorne
Blessed Edward Oldcorne or Oldcorn alias Hall was an English Jesuit priest. He was known to people who knew of the Gunpowder Plot to destroy the Parliament of England and kill King James I, and, although his involvement is unclear, he was caught up in the subsequent investigation...
and brothers Christopher and John Wright
John Wright (Gunpowder Plot)
John Wright , and Christopher Wright , were members of the group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a conspiracy to assassinate King James I by blowing up the House of Lords. Their sister married another plotter, Thomas Percy...
were among Tesimond's classmates, all of whom would become involved in the Gunpowder Plot. Tesimond was entered into the Society of Jesus
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
in 1584, but not before he left the English College in Rome, into which he had been first initiated; to leave the College and come into the Society, he required special permission from the cardinal protector
Cardinal protector
Since the thirteenth century it has been customary at Rome to confide to some particular Cardinal a special solicitude in the Roman Curia for the interests of a given religious order or institute, confraternity, church, college, city, nation etcetera. Such a person is known as a Cardinal Protector...
(who was Giovanni Morone
Giovanni Morone
Giovanni Morone was an Italian cardinal. He was named Bishop of Modena in 1529 and was created Cardinal in 1542 by Pope Paul III...
, at the time), which he successfully obtained.
Later, among other things, Tesimond studied theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
in Messina, where he afterwards taught philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
. Sometime before he left on the English mission, during November 1587, he was ordained, but the exact date is not known. As part of this mission, he arrived at Gravesend
Gravesend, Kent
Gravesend is a town in northwest Kent, England, on the south bank of the Thames, opposite Tilbury in Essex. It is the administrative town of the Borough of Gravesham and, because of its geographical position, has always had an important role to play in the history and communications of this part of...
on 9 March 1598. For eight years he then worked with Edward Oldcorne
Edward Oldcorne
Blessed Edward Oldcorne or Oldcorn alias Hall was an English Jesuit priest. He was known to people who knew of the Gunpowder Plot to destroy the Parliament of England and kill King James I, and, although his involvement is unclear, he was caught up in the subsequent investigation...
in Worcestershire
Worcestershire
Worcestershire is a non-metropolitan county, established in antiquity, located in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three counties that comprise the "Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire" NUTS 2 region...
and Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
before he was professed of the Jesuits' four vows on 28 October 1603.
Later, he became somewhat involved in the Gunpowder Plot, after receiving knowledge related to the nature of the plan. He concealed his intelligence, despite his faith. He effectively documented his experiences in a narrative which he sometime after wrote.
He lived the later part of his life in various places, including Saint-Omer and Naples. He died on 23 August 1636, at 73 years of age.
Gunpowder Plot
Oswald Tesimond played a small role in the Gunpowder plot; while not directly involved, he knew of the plot from the confessional, and the motives of the conspirators. It is a near-certainty that the actual plot was divulged to Tesimond by Robert CatesbyRobert Catesby
Robert Catesby , was the leader of a group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605....
, someone who was deeply involved. Tesimond, after gaining the knowledge, proceeded to inform his Jesuit superior, Henry Garnet
Henry Garnet
Henry Garnet , sometimes Henry Garnett, was a Jesuit priest executed for his complicity in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Born in Derbyshire, he was educated in Nottingham and later at Winchester College, before moving to London in 1571 to work for a publisher...
. He did this during confession, probably on or around 23 July 1605.
With the knowledge he possessed, Tesimond and Garnet decided to give religious consolations to the conspirators. They both did this despite the nature of the plot, which involved treason; obviously, their choice of keeping their knowledge secret constituted a violation of the law. He gave these consolations on 6 November 1605 at Huddington
Huddington
Huddington is a village in Worcestershire, England.- Location :Huddington is located five miles east of Worcester and five miles south east of Droitwich Spa.- History & Amenities :...
, after they had returned from London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It was perhaps a result of this kindness to the conspirators on Tesimond's part that saw Thomas Wintour
Thomas Wintour
Robert Wintour and Thomas Wintour , also spelt Winter, were members of the Gunpowder Plot, a failed conspiracy to assassinate King James I. Both were related to other conspirators, such as their cousin, Robert Catesby, and a half-brother, John Wintour, also joined them following the plot's failure...
, at his later execution, clear all Jesuits (Tesimond specifically and most especially), from any involvement, and from any prior knowledge.
Arrest
Tesimond wrote a narrative based on the happenings of the Gunpowder Plot. Written in Italian, Tesimond's narrative probably comprises one of the most detailed and complete accounts of the plot itself. It may have been based on another Latin account of an unknown and unnamed secular priest. The narrative was sent to RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
to be studied in depth, with the hope it might reveal crucial information to the Jesuit authorities.
Tesimond's arrest warrant was sworn out on 15 January 1606, describing him in detail:
However, Tesimond was able to escape arrest. He evaded the constables of London, then made his way to safe houses in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
and Suffolk
Suffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
. He then proceeded to sail to Calais
Calais
Calais is a town in Northern France in the department of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sub-prefecture. Although Calais is by far the largest city in Pas-de-Calais, the department's capital is its third-largest city of Arras....
among a cargo of dead pigs by passing as the owner of the load.
Later life
Tesimond, after escaping arrest, spent some of his life in Saint-OmerSaint-Omer
Saint-Omer , a commune and sub-prefecture of the Pas-de-Calais department west-northwest of Lille on the railway to Calais. The town is named after Saint Audomar, who brought Christianity to the area....
. After some time there, he moved southward, finally arriving in Naples, Italy. This was documented in a letter by Sir Edwin Rich
Edwin Rich
Sir Edwin Rich was an English lawyer and politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1640.Rich was born at Thetford, Norfolk, the son of Sir Edwin Rich of Mulbarton, Norfolk and his wife Honora Worlick, daughter of Charles Worlick...
. This letter, addressed to James I of England
James I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
, warned the king against taking a gift that he might receive, which Rich warned would consist of poisoned clothing from Tesimond; in England, vigilance was still elevated after the events that transpired following the Gunpowder Plot.
Later, from the year 1617, Tesimond was prefect of studies and consulter in Messina. He held this position there for many years, among time spent in Rome during the most of 1621, and among other minor occupations.
Tesimond died and was buried in Naples.