Guy Fawkes, Gunpowder Plot
The Failed Attempt to Blow up the Houses of Parliament
The gunpowder Plot was an attempt to assassinate King James I as well as blow up the House of Lords in the Palace of Westminster. Robert Catesby was the mastermind behind the plot but Guy Fawkes, with his military and explosive expertise was in charge of executing the plan.
Guy Fawkes' Childhood
Guy Fawkes (April 13th 1570 – January 31st 1606) was born in High Petergate, York. His parents were Edward Fawkes, a notary of the ecclesiastical courts and an advocate of the court of the Archbishop of York. His mother, Edith was a descendant of the Harrington family, wealthy merchants and aldermen of York.
Fawkes attended St. Peters school, York at the same time as Tomas Morton whjo was to become Bishop of Durham, but his tutor, John Pulleyn is believed to have been an early Catholic influence on the boy.
Guy's father died when the boy was just 7. His mother remarried in 1582. Her second husband, Denis Bainbridge was a catholic, and it's is not known if it was the early influence of his tutor, or that of his stepfather that caused Fawkes to question his beliefs but he converted to Catholicism at the age of 16.
After leaving school and having attempted a number of jobs, Fawkes travelled to Flanders where he joined the Spanish army. Here he changed his name to Guido, and served for 10 years, quickly gaining a command in respect of the gallantry he showed at the siege of Calais.
The Recruitment of the Gunpowder Plot Conspirators
Recruited in Flanders, Fawkes joined his fellow conspirators for their first meeting on May 20th 1604 held at the Duck and Drake in the Strand. The group included Robert Catesby, Thomas Wintour, Jack Wright, Thomas Percy as well as Fawkes. The plan was to blow up Parliament, killing the King and members of the Government. Over the coming months the group increased to include Robert Keyes, Robert WIntour, John Grant, Kit Wright and Thomas Bates.
In March 1605 the group rented a ground floor cellar from John Whynniard which was located directly beneath the House of Lords. Over the next few months 36 barrels of gunpowder (1800 pounds or 800 kg) were hidden in the cellar.
By now Catesby had also recruited Ambrose Rookwood, Sir Everard Digby and Francis Tresham, brother-in-law to two Catholic peers, Lord Stourton and Lord Monteagle.
The Gunpowder Plot Continues as Planned
With weeks to go before the opening of Parliament on November 5th 1605 the plan was finalised. Fawkes, as the explosives expert was to light the fuse and then escape to Europe by what ever means available to him. At the same time Digby was to lead an uprising in the Midlands and kidnap Princess Elizabeth, daughter of James I. It was planned that she would be installed on the throne as a 'puppet' queen.
All was progressing well but on October 26th an anonymous letter was delivered to Lord Monteagle advising him to avoid the opening of Parliament. Although unsigned, it is believed the letter came from his brother-in-law Francis Tresham. Monteagle passed the letter onto Lord Salisbury, the King's First Minister.
The plotters were warned of the letter by Thomas Ward, a servant to Lord Monteagle. They did consider putting off the plan but Fawkes, having inspected the cellar reported nothing had been touched, so they decided to go ahead.
Catesby, Wright, Bates and Percy were on their way to the Midlands. Unbeknown to them Salisbury had ordered the cellar to be searched. Nothing untoward was found except an unusually large amount of firewood. A second search was ordered and this time Fawkes was discovered in the cellar was immediately arrested.
Catesby and co. had been joined by Rookwood and the Wright brothers. They raided Warwick Castle and then rode onto Holbeche House in Staffordshire which they thought would be easier to defend.
Meanwhile back in London, John Johnson, which was the alias Fawkes had given was being interrogated. His silence prompted the King to give permission to use torture gradually 'proceeding to the worst' in an attempt to obtain the names of his fellow conspirators.
On the morning of November 8th Sir Richard Walsh led 200 men with orders to take Holbeche House. Overwhelmed, the siege was over very quickly. Catesby, the Wright brothers and Percy died of their wounds; Thomas Wintour, Rookwood and Grant were captured and returned to London.
By December only Robert Wintour was still free, although he was captured in the New Year. Frances Tresham died in the Tower of London while awaiting trial.
The Trail and Execution of the Plotters
The trails, held in Westminster Hall, began on January 27th 1606. All were found guilty and sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered. This was the traditional punishment for traitors and meant they were to be dragged to their place of execution. Here they were hung until half dead before their genitals were be cut off and burnt in front of them. Then, while still alive, their heart and bowels would be removed before they were decapitated and their bodies dismembered and displayed around the city. Here the remains would stay until decomposed or eaten by birds.
Digby, Robert Wintour, Bates and Grant were executed on January 30th 1606. Thomas Wintour, Rookwood, Keyes and Guy Fawkes were executed the following day.
On the day the plot was uncovered, November 5th 1605, Londoners were encouraged to celebrate the King surviving the assassination attempt by lighting bonfires, a tradition, which with the lighting of fireworks is still observed today.
Fireworks are now a fundamental part of any celebration, from Guy Fawkes night, New Years Eve to Diwali but as they contain combustible material, fireworks should always be used with care.
Sources;
- BBC History.com
- The Gunpowder Plot By Antonia Fraser
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