Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot

Guy Fawkes is famous for being involved in an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament on the 5th of November, 1905. His goal, along with others, was to kill King James I, and the Protestant Aristocracy. Having a military background, and his experience in explosives is probably why he was chosen as the leader for the Gunpowder Plot.

In 1604 Guy Fawkes, and the plotters realized that they weren't going to get any outside help, as King James I attacked both extreme Puritans and Catholics. Therefore, they decided that they had to take matters into their own hands. At first they tried to dig a tunnel under the House of Lords, but that plan didn't work. They next rented a cellar beneath the building. By March 1905 they had 1800 pounds of gunpowder stored in the cellar. Their intentions were also to abduct Princess Elizabeth until they found out that Lord Monteagle had been pre-warned about the abduction. They still continued to plan the Gunpowder plot even though they knew that Lord Monteagle was now suspicious.

However, Lord Monteagle sent the warning letter he had received to the Secretary of State. As a result an order was sent to search the vaults beneath The House of Lords. The search was carried out in the early morning of November the 5th. Guy Fawkes was caught red handed as he held a torch in his hand ready to light the fuse to detonate the gunpowder.

King James I then ordered that Guy Fawkes be punished for his attempts at blowing up the House of Lords. Sir William Wade, Lieutenant of The Tower of London witnessed Guy Fawkes"s confession, and supervised the torture. Guy Fawkes was not willing to divulge information on his co-conspirators, and for a few days he said nothing. Only when he found out that the others had proclaimed themselves by appearing arms, did he then release the names of the other men involved. The torture revealed the names of those already known to the authorities, or people that were already dead. Guy Fawkes and a number of others were tried at Westminster Hall on the 31st of January. After being found guilty their punishment was to be hung, drawn, and quartered.

At this time the unsuccessful attempts of Guy Fawkes are still celebrated. Fireworks night, or bonfire night is still a British tradition. King James I introduced the celebration as a day for thanksgiving as to what he thought was a glorious day. On the night of the interception of the Gun Powder Plot the people of London celebrated by lighting fires and with various street festivities. The celebrations continue today on the 5th of November with fireworks displays, the lighting of bonfires, and making the "guy" to go on top of the bonfire.

Britain is not the only place that celebrates this tradition today. New Foundland, some areas of New Zealand, and it is also said it is celebrated in South Africa also.