New research into the Gunpowder Plot has uncovered previously unexplored motives behind the involvement of Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators from York.

The failed plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 is marked by Bonfire Night every November 5.

Now a new exhibition, The Gunpowder Plot: York’s Untold Story, at the Bar Convent in the city is an exploration of the context, conspiracy and consequences surrounding that fateful day.

Plotters Guy Fawkes, Christopher and John Wright and Thomas Percy were all either from York or connected to the city.

Dr Hannah Thomas, Special Collections Manager at the Bar Convent, with 15th century vestment at the centre of new Gunpowder Plot research. Sculpture 'A Man For All Treasons' Credit: Simon Dewhurst

placeholder image — Dr Hannah Thomas, Special Collections Manager at the Bar Convent, with 15th century vestment at the centre of new Gunpowder Plot research. Sculpture 'A Man For All Treasons' Credit: Simon Dewhurst

Research into the ‘Middleton Vestment’, a priest’s vestment that was donated to the convent by the Middleton family of Ilkley, has confirmed that it once belonged to the family of Margaret Clitherow, whose maiden name was Middleton.

Historians have theorised that Fawkes and Wright brothers may have witnessed the execution of Margaret in York in 1586, a punishment given after she was accused of helping Catholic priests.

Further research then uncovered the connection between her family and the Gunpowder Plotters was likely to be far closer than anyone realised.

Special collections manager at Bar Convent, Dr Hannah Thomas, said: “Guy Fawkes, John and Christopher Wright were pupils at St Peter’s School in York. At the time of Margaret Clitherow’s death Fawkes and Christopher Wright were 16, while John Wright was 18. Margaret Clitherow was accused of sheltering Catholic priests and was executed by pressing, which was exceptionally brutal, even by Elizabethan standards.

“This alone would have had a profound effect on the plotters – but now imagine if they personally knew Margaret Clitherow. We believe this could very well be the case.

"The 'Middleton Vestment' is likely to have belonged to Robert Middleton, and we now think it is quite likely that he was in fact Margaret Clitherow's nephew. He was the same age as Guy Fawkes and living in York at the time. Additionally, both her stepson and son were close in age to Fawkes and the Wright brothers.

“Robert Middleton, along with Henry and William Clitherow, Margaret’s son and stepson, all joined the priesthood, and the details of their entrance records reveal that all three had received a high level of education as boys.

“Guy Fawkes’ contemporary Robert Middleton was executed for being a priest in 1601 – just four years prior to the Gunpowder Plot, probably reinforcing Guy’s strong feelings against state-sanctioned persecution of Catholics, and perhaps encouraging him to start thinking about retaliation.

“Although very few official records survive from this period, through our extensive Catholic archives and knowledge of York Catholic networks through the post-reformation period, we have been able to fill these historical gaps.”

Dr Thomas has also been able to unfold further fascinating connections and narratives.

The exhibition is on until December 5. A talk, The Gunpowder Crucifix, is at 1pm today.