'You Traitors All' - English Royalist Song

‘You Traitors All’ is an English royalist song describing various people and plots against Queen Elizabeth I around the date of the repulsion of the Spanish Armada in 1588. This song is from 1588, or around that period in Elizabethan England, as the songs lyrics and tune can be seen on paper from the period.

‘The Parry and Throckmorton weak’ line refers first to William Parry, a Welshman working for England who first spied on European catholics, before turning to the Catholic side in 1582, supposedly he planned to shoot the Queen in her coach, he was executed in 1585.

Throckmorton refers to the Throckmorton plot, a group of catholics led by Francis Throckmorton to supposedly get Spain to invade England, assassinate Elizabeth I, and then place Mary Queen of Scots on the English throne. The plot failed and Francis was executed in 1584.

‘And Babbington with his wicked train’ refers to the Babbington Plot, led by Anthony Babbington, a group of French and Spanish catholics, and supposedly the Spanish army, to either assassinate or depose Elizabeth I in favour of Mary Queen of Scots. Babbington was executed in 1586, and led to Mary’s execution in 1587.

‘Dean and Weblin’ actually refer to William Deane and Henry Webley, as I made a mistake when lyricising, most likely a smaller plot to help the Spanish army. One of my comments pointed out it may be Irish, considering the names are common in Irish regions. Both of them were executed in August of 1588.

‘His name was Gunter, who denied’ refers to William Gunther, a Catholic martyr who was executed in 1588, I couldn’t find out what exactly, but most likely refusing to support the English government as told in the song.

‘One Margaret ward there died that day’ is about Margaret Ward, an English woman who helped a priest escape prison, she was executed in 1588 and is currently a saint and martyr in the Catholic church.

Recording done by the band ‘Peasants All’ I don’t own the music in any way.