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As with many other major events throughout history, the
foundations of The Gunpowder Plot lay in religion.
When she ascended to the throne in 1558, Elizabeth I was wary
of the influences of Catholic Europe. Afraid that a large sector
of her own population may assist with any foreign invasion, she
set about systematically persecuting Catholics and their
sympathisers.
She was succeeded to the throne in 1603 by James I. Being the
son of a Catholic monarch (Mary Queen of Scots), it was hoped
that his ascendancy would lead to the end of Catholic repression
and persecution. However, this was not
to be the case. And so The Gunpowder Plot was established. Five
men, lead by Robert Catesby, met together to plan the death of
King James and the destruction of the Houses of Parliament. The
other men were Thomas Percy, Thomas Wintour, John Wright
and Guido (Guy) Fawkes. As the plot progressed, assistance was
needed and so eight more men were recruited.
The group first hired lodgings close to Parliament and
attempted to tunnel their way underneath. However their attempts
failed and so a cellar within the Parliament buildings was
acquired. This was then filled with 36 barrels of gunpowder
which were carefully hidden with pieces of wood and iron.
On 26th October 1605 an anonymous letter was delivered to
Lord Monteagle warning him not to attend the opening of the
Houses of Parliament. The letter was passed on to Robert Cecil,
James' Secretary of State. Although the conspirators became
aware that the letter existed, they convinced themselves that
the government was not aware of their plans and so they pressed
ahead.
On the night of 4th November 1605 Guy Fawkes was discovered
in the cellar below Parliament with the tools necessary to fire
the powder train. He was arrested and taken before the king.
Originally giving his name as John Johnson, Fawkes was tortured
until eventually his true identity and details of the plot
emerged.
Four of the group were killed in a fight that developed
during their attempted capture. The rest were caught and tried
for treason. Eight, including Fawkes, were found guilty and
executed. The final member died from illness while locked up in
the tower.
The Gunpowder Plot is traditionally remembered in Britain
with a fireworks display and the burning of a "Guy" on
a bonfire. |
