Bonfire Night

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
We see no reason,
Why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot!

On 5th November 1605, Guy Fawkes and a group of co conspirators attempted to blow up the houses of parliament with the intention of killing King James 1 and the government at the time, in order to return the then Protestant England to Catholic faith.

Guy Fawkes and his Catholic associates formulated a plot (the gunpowder plot) where by 36 barrels of gunpowder were put in cellars under the houses of parliament. Unknown to Guy, a warning letter sent from one of the conspirators to Lord Monteagle was intercepted and handed to the king which gave the Kings forces time to make plans to stop the gunpowder plot. Guy’s part in the plot was to ignite the gunpowder however whilst waiting for the king to arrive at Parliament, guards broke into the cellars and arrested him. He was then tortured and executed.