Gunpowder Plot
On the 24th of March 1603, a proclamation from Robert Cecil announced the succession of King James VI of Scotland to the English throne. Leading papists reacted with enthusiastic support for the new monarch, believing he might offer greater religious tolerance than his predecessor. James arrived in England with a family and a clear line of succession, including his nine-year-old daughter Elizabeth. The Catholic community hoped that the martyrdom of James's mother, Mary Queen of Scots, would encourage him to convert to their faith. Early in his reign, James swore he would not persecute those who gave outward obedience to the law. He believed exile was a better solution than capital punishment for Catholics. However, by February 1604, James denounced the Catholic Church after discovering his wife had received a rosary from Pope Clement VIII. Three days later, he ordered all Jesuits and other Catholic priests to leave the country. The Popish Recusants Act 1605 threatened to outlaw all English followers of the Catholic Church. By 1605, there were 5,560 convicted of recusancy, with 112 being landowners. Wealthy recusants faced fines of £20 per month, while middle-class individuals paid one shilling weekly. Almost £5,000 annually was raised through these fines, equivalent to nearly £12 million in modern currency.
Robert Catesby, described as a good-looking man about six feet tall and an athletic swordsman, inspired the plot. In 1601, he participated in the Essex Rebellion but escaped execution after paying a fine of 4,000 marks. Thomas Wintour, a competent scholar who spoke several languages, joined Catesby in February 1604 at his Lambeth house. They discussed re-establishing Catholicism by blowing up the House of Lords during Parliament's State Opening. John Wright, one of the best swordsmen of his day, also attended this meeting. Guy Fawkes had served as a soldier in the Southern Netherlands under William Stanley for ten years. He was recommended for a captaincy in 1603 before joining the conspiracy. The first meeting between five conspirators took place on the 20th of May 1604 at the Duck and Drake Inn off the Strand. Alone in a private room, they swore an oath of secrecy on a prayer book. By coincidence, John Gerard celebrated Mass in another room while the plotters received the Eucharist. Thomas Percy, Catesby's friend and John Wright's brother-in-law, was introduced weeks later. Percy had converted to Catholicism and relied heavily on personal courage during his early years.
On the 9th of June 1604, the Earl of Northumberland appointed Thomas Percy to the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners, giving him reason to seek a base in London. A small property near the Prince's Chamber owned by Henry Ferrers was chosen for their operations. Percy arranged use through agents Dudley Carleton and John Hippisley. Guy Fawkes used the pseudonym John Johnson to take charge of the building. The conspirators rented Catesby's lodgings in Lambeth across the Thames to store gunpowder and supplies. Parliament adjourned on the 7th of July 1604, leaving them until February 1605 to finalize plans. On the 24th of December 1604, Parliament's reopening was delayed until the 3rd of October 1605 due to plague concerns. The undercroft beneath the House of Lords measured approximately 77 feet long, 24 feet 4 inches wide, and 10 feet high. It was unused and filthy, making it ideal for storing explosives. In the second week of June, twenty barrels of gunpowder were brought into the room. Sixteen more barrels arrived on the 20th of July. By late August, Fawkes discovered the stored powder had decayed. More gunpowder and firewood were added to conceal what remained. The final three conspirators joined in late 1605: Ambrose Rookwood, Everard Digby, and Francis Tresham.
On the 26th of October 1605, a servant delivered an anonymous letter to William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle, at his Hoxton house. The letter warned him to avoid Parliament on the day of its opening. Monteagle immediately rode to Whitehall and handed it to Robert Cecil, then Earl of Salisbury. Cecil informed the Earl of Worcester and Henry Howard, 1st Earl of Northampton, but kept the news from King James who was hunting in Cambridgeshire. Monteagle's servant Thomas Ward sent word to Catesby about the betrayal. Catesby suspected Francis Tresham wrote the letter and confronted him with Thomas Wintour. Tresham convinced them he was innocent but urged abandonment of the plot. On the 1st of November, after James returned to London, the letter was shown to him. He seized upon the word blow as hinting at fire and powder. On the 4th of November, a search party led by Thomas Knyvet found Fawkes dressed in cloak and hat with boots and spurs. He claimed the name John Johnson and carried a lantern now held in Oxford's Ashmolean Museum. Thirty-six barrels of gunpowder were discovered hidden under faggots and coal. Fawkes was taken to the King early on the 5th of November.
News of John Johnson's arrest spread among plotters still in London, causing most to flee northwest along Watling Street. Christopher Wright and Thomas Percy left together while Ambrose Rookwood covered thirty miles in two hours on one horse. They overtook Keyes, then Wright and Percy at Little Brickhill before catching Catesby, John Wright, and Bates. The group stopped at Ashby St Ledgers around 6 pm where they met Robert Wintour. They continued to Dunchurch meeting Digby who had a hunting party ready. Catesby announced that the King and Salisbury were dead despite the plot's failure. An armed struggle remained possible according to his conviction. Richard Walsh, Sheriff of Worcestershire, besieged Holbeche House on the 8th of November with 200 men. Thomas Wintour was hit in the shoulder crossing the courtyard. John Wright was shot followed by his brother and then Rookwood. Catesby and Percy reportedly died from a single lucky shot. Before the siege, some gunpowder soaked and dried out near a fire. A spark ignited the powder engulfing Catesby, Rookwood, Grant, and Morgan in flames. Only the singed figures of Catesby and Grant, the Wright brothers, Rookwood, and Percy survived the initial disaster.
Sir Edward Coke conducted interrogations over ten weeks in the Lieutenant's Lodgings at the Tower of London. On the 7th of November, Guy Fawkes confessed after being subjected to torture methods including the rack. His signature appeared weak under the word good indicating government interference or pain. Thomas Wintour provided valuable information as he had been involved from the start unlike Fawkes. His confession signed Winter rather than Wintour may reflect injury or government editing. Henry Garnet faced questioning on up to twenty-three occasions regarding his knowledge of the plot. He denied encouraging Catholics to pray for success but admitted hearing about the conspiracy through Oswald Tesimond during confession. Garnet claimed canon law forbade revealing confessional secrets even when treason was discussed. On the 28th of March 1606, he stood trial in Guildhall from 8 am until 7 pm. Coke argued Garnet instigated the plot while Garnet refuted all charges. Despite evidence forged by authorities, Garnet maintained innocence until tortured into admitting what he knew. He was found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death. Meanwhile, other priests like Gerard and Tesimond escaped abroad living out their days free from prosecution.
On the 30th of January 1606, Everard Digby, Robert Wintour, John Grant, and Thomas Bates were tied to wooden hurdles dragged through London streets to St Paul's Churchyard. Digby asked spectators forgiveness before climbing the ladder to place his head through the noose. While still conscious he was castrated, disembowelled, and quartered along with three others. The following day Thomas Wintour, Ambrose Rookwood, Robert Keyes, and Guy Fawkes faced similar punishment opposite Westminster Palace. Keyes jumped from gallows surviving drop but led to quartering block. Fawkes broke his neck jumping early avoiding agony of later stages. Steven Littleton executed at Stafford while Humphrey died near Worcester despite cooperation. Henry Garnet met execution on the 3rd of May 1606. Catesby and Percy bodies exhumed decapitated heads exhibited on spikes outside House of Lords. In summer 1606 laws against recusancy strengthened returning England to Elizabethan system of fines. The Popish Recusants Act introduced sacramental test requiring Catholics to abjure doctrine that princes excommunicated by Pope could be deposed or assassinated. Catholic emancipation took another two hundred years though many loyal Catholics retained high office during James I reign.
William Shakespeare featured Gunpowder Plot events alongside Gowrie conspiracy in Macbeth written between 1603 and 1607. Interest in demonic powers heightened after the discovery influencing King James's Daemonologie published in 1599. Lines like fair is foul and foul is fair reflect partisan public sentiment on English-Protestant national holiday. John Milton wrote In Quintum Novembris poem in 1626 preceded by five epigrams about plot in 1645 and 1673 editions. His Paradise Lost may also have been influenced by these events. Historian Ronald Hutton concluded successful implementation would prompt severe backlash against suspected Catholics without foreign assistance. Most Englishmen remained loyal to monarchy despite differing religious convictions. Many felt Robert Cecil involved himself plotting gain favor with King enacting stricter anti-Catholic legislation. Conspiracy theories alleged Salisbury invented plot allowed it continue when agents discovered it. Special sermons and church bell ringing evolved into modern Bonfire Night celebrations commemorating thwarted explosion. The event destroyed hope Spanish would secure tolerance for Catholics in England forevermore.
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Common questions
Who was the main conspirator behind the Gunpowder Plot of 1605?
Robert Catesby led the conspiracy to blow up the House of Lords during Parliament's State Opening. He participated in the Essex Rebellion in 1601 and escaped execution after paying a fine of 4,000 marks.
When did Guy Fawkes get arrested for the Gunpowder Plot?
A search party led by Thomas Knyvet found Guy Fawkes on the 4th of November 1605. He was taken to King James early on the 5th of November after confessing under torture at the Tower of London.
Where were the gunpowder barrels hidden before the plot failed?
The conspirators stored twenty-six barrels of gunpowder in the undercroft beneath the House of Lords. This unused room measured approximately 77 feet long and 24 feet 4 inches wide.
What happened to Robert Catesby and Thomas Percy after the plot was discovered?
Catesby and Thomas Percy died from a single lucky shot during the siege of Holbeche House on the 8th of November 1605. Their bodies were later exhumed and their heads exhibited on spikes outside the House of Lords.
Why did the Earl of Monteagle receive an anonymous letter about the Gunpowder Plot?
An anonymous servant delivered the warning to William Parker, 4th Baron Monteagle, on the 26th of October 1605. The letter instructed him to avoid Parliament on the day of its opening due to the planned explosion.