Information following can be found on wikipedia or many other sites (or even books!!!!) if you're interested.
We start in May 1604. Where a Catholic by the name of Robert Catesby decided on a plot against King James I. It was intended to cause unrest and aimed to place James' nine year old daughter (princess Elizabeth) as a Catholic head of state.
Unlike popular legend there were quite a few other plotters, these include: Thomas Winter, Robert Winter, John Wright, Christopher Wright, Robert Keyes, Sir Thomas Percy, Lord John Grant, Sir Ambrose Rokewood, Sir Eveard Digby, Sir Francis Tresham, Thomas Bates and the ever famous Guy Fawkes.
Guy Fawkes was an explosive expert with military experience. He assisted with filling a vacated cellar under the House of Lords with gunpowder. By March 1605 they had managed to fill the room with 36 barrels of gunpowder!!!!
They planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament many times but were delayed as the opening of Parliament was postponed many times, due to the Black Death and other issues of the time.
Guy Fawkes was in charge of completed the plot while the others awaited news in Warwickshire, where from there they could incite rebellion throughout the Midlands.
The plot was foiled as some of the conspiritors were worried about Catholics that would be present on the day. On October 26 Lord Monteagle received a letter from Francis Tresham who in turn presented the letter to the head of state, Robert Cecil. This led to a search of the vaults beneath the House of Lords and at midnight on November 5th armed guards discovered Guy Fawkes guarding twenty barrels of gunpowder.
Fawkes was arrested and admitted to wanting to kill the King. He was taken to the tower of London and tortured under orders from the King and Privy Council.
On hearing news of the failure of the plot many of the conspiritors tried to flee but were captured and either killed there or arrested. They were tried on 27th January 1606. The trial was a public spectacle and people were paying up to 10 shillings for entry. Fawkes, Winter, and a number of others were taken to Old Palace Yard and hung, drawn and quartered. Fawkes, though weakened by torturem cheated the executioners. When he was to be hanged until almost dead, he jumped from the gallows so that his neck broke and he died.
Many things came from the gunpowder plot. Catholics still were not given the same rights until around 200 years later. The plot was commemorated for years afterwards by special sermons and Protestant celebrations. Since then the popular bonfire night has evolved with it being popular to create 'Guys' to be burnt on top of bonfires. Traditional songs are also sometimes sung, an example of this is:
Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I can think of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
Well I've been out tonight and seen the fireworks, smelt the smokey air and watched as some idiots aimed fireworks at each other. I think that this is a great celebration but should be taken with some care. St Helen's display was lovely and enjoyable but the amateurs on the beach were a little stupid. Lets hope that no one was hurt and that next year it'll be even prettier.
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