Sunday 1 November 2015

Sunday Snap – Gunpowder, treason and plot


We were in Wales for last week's Sunday Snap and looking at the two sports stadiums in Cardiff. I asked what year the Millennium Stadium hosted the Rugby Union World Cup Final and the answer is

1999

The rugby fans, sports historians and lucky guessers with the right answer were Cheryl, Jen, and Susan. For those with no interest in rugby I can finally confirm the Rugby World Cup is finally over. Only another four years to go until Japan...

Now we're into November we are looking at the scene of one of the most famous incidents in British history. By the start of the 17th century England was a full-on Protestant nation – on the surface. Despite Henry VIII's best efforts to rid the country of Catholicism there were many people still practising the 'old faith'. Unhappy that the incumbent monarch wasn't very sympathetic towards those wishing to display their Catholic faith openly a plan was hatched to blow up the Houses of Parliament with the King inside it. In the months before the King was due to attend the State Opening of Parliament on 5th November 1605 a group of conspirators managed to rent a property next to the Houses of Parliament which had a cellar that ran directly under of the House of Lords.

The conspirators enlisted the support of Guy Fawkes who had been fighting for the Spanish Army in Flanders. Fawkes came from old Yorkshire Catholic family and was ready and willing to help with the plan. It was to be Fawkes' job to light the fuse that led to the 36 barrels of gunpowder that had been smuggled into the cellar. Once lit Fawkes was going to run out of the cellar and then head abroad. What the conspirators hadn't planned for was that an anonymous letter was sent to Lord Monteagle on 26th October warning him not to attend the opening. He passed it onto Earl Salisbury who was one of the King's ministers. It was decided to wait until the night before the Opening to search the cellars. During the first one they found a suspiciously large quantity of firewood. Just before midnight a second search found Guy Fawkes complete with pocket watch, slow match and touchwood.

Over the following days the rest of the conspirators were rounded up. Fawkes was tortured, put on trial and sent to be hung, drawn and quartered. Whilst standing with a noose around his neck at the gallows Fawkes jumped from the platform breaking his neck but escaping the excruciating agony of the rest of the execution. For Catholics in England though the result of the failed plot meant that further restrictive laws were passed including exclusion from serving in the Army or Navy and the ability to vote in Parliamentary elections. The Houses of Parliament standing today is not the building that Fawkes hoped to blow up. In the 1834 the rather dilapidated structure caught fire and over a number of years the current New Palace was constructed.

The reason that the failed exploits are still celebrated to this day with fireworks and bonfires is that the year after a law known as the Observance of 5th November Act was introduced. This enforced a national day of thanksgiving for the failure of the plot and was known at first as Gunpowder Treason Day. Special church services were held on the day and the fashion for bonfires and fireworks to be lit spread. This law was not repealed until 1859 but by then the commemorations had become a popular and commercial event. All that is left is to ask...

Which king did Guy Fawkes hope to blow up?

We were joined last week by Susan and a spot of autumn fun. Snoskred was tempted by lots of lovely things. For once Cheryl's trio were playing nicely in the park. Sophie has been exploring caves. Down at the beach Sue has been capturing the sunrise. Finally, it was a night out on the town for Kara's crew.

If you want to join in with this week's Sunday Snap then add your link to the linky below. Any theme is allowed. It doesn't have to be published today as you have until 23.55 on Friday 6th November 2015 to join in. Grab my badge below for your blog post. Just make sure it is your photo and you hold the copyright for it.
Sunday Snap

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21 comments:

  1. I found out lots of things about Guy Fawkes Night that I didn't know there. :) The king was Henry VIII who sounds more and more charming the more you learn about him !

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  2. Love reading this. I thought I knew all about Guy Fawkes, but I learnt a few things. It's King Henry VIII x

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  3. James 1st - the Guy Fawkes story always fascinates me.

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  4. I am more than definitely sure it is King James I that Guy Fawkes wanted to blow up.

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  5. Great bit of history, I have got to admit that my history is terrible and I have no idea which king is was :-( x

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  6. wow it really is such a stunning building and so much history :-)

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  7. This was James 1st I am sure, though I probably do need to read up on my history x

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  8. I believe if my history isn't playing games with me it was King James I

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  9. James I was the king I believe, those Stewarts didn't seem to have the best of luck!

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  10. I enjoyed reading this story... the gunpowder plot is always a great read!

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  11. I visited the Houses of Parliament in the summer on a school trip. It's a fascinating place, and I recommend it if you ever get the chance to go.

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  12. King Henry VIII according to the Mini Mads. I would have no idea!

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  13. He planned to blow up King James I and restore a Catholic monarch to the throne. Love learning about history.

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  14. Such a fabulous building isnt it, even if I disagree with much of what goes on in it!! Love the history!

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  15. I didn't know all the facts regarding the poor guy and the way he was meant to die, so brutal!xx

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  16. Oh I don't know sorry :( Great photo - it is so iconic isn't it? I love London. Kaz x

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  17. Lovely photo!

    I think I first heard about the gunpowder plot on 'Blue Peter'. Never knew that the celebrations on November 5th used to be legally required though.

    Coughton Court in Warwickshire is a good place to find out more about the background to the conspirators.

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  18. I know this one!! James I - I did my MA in history on the gunpowder plotters! :)

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  19. Pretty sure it's James I! Great post, it's nice to know the history. I'm sure I'd forgotten a bit! You've reminded me we must take a tour round the Houses of Parliament one day!

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  20. Wow what a lot of great information for fact fans :) love the snap too x

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