the conspirators were tried on 27 january 1606 in westminster hall. all of the plotters pleaded "not guilty" except for sir everard digby, who attempted to defend himself on the grounds that the king had reneged on his promises of greater tolerance of catholicism. sir edward coke, the attorney general, prosecuted, and the earl of northampton made a speech refuting the charges laid by sir everard digby. the trial lasted one day (english criminal trials generally did not exceed a single day's duration) and the verdict was never in doubt.