English Catholics hoped that the years of persecution they had suffered during Elizabeth's reign would end when James I came to the throne, as his attitude appeared moderate, even tolerant towards Catholics.
Catesby enlisted the help of six fellow Catholics, Thomas Percy, Thomas Wintour, Guy Fawkes, John Wright, Robert Keyes and Thomas Bates. and by 25 March 1605 he had recruited three others: Robert Wintour, Christopher Wright, and Grant. 1 January was first used to mark the English new year in 1752.