Gunpowder Plot

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 was a desperate but failed attempt by a group of provincial English Catholic extremists to kill King James I of England, his family, and most of the Protestant aristocracy in one fell swoop by blowing up the Houses of Parliament during the State Opening. The conspirators had then planned to abduct the royal children, not present in parliament, and then incite a revolt in the Midlands.

Aftermath

According to historian Lady Antonia Fraser, the gunpowder was taken to the Tower of London magazine. It would have been reissued or sold for recycling if in good condition. According to historian Ronald Hutton, however, it was discovered to be "decayed". That is, it rendered harmless due to having separated into its component chemical parts, as happens with gunpowder when left to sit for too long. If Fawkes had ignited the gunpowder, during the opening, it would only have resulted in a damp splutter.

Related Topics:
Lady Antonia Fraser - Tower of London - Ronald Hutton

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A sample of the gunpowder may have survived. In March 2002, workers investigating archives of John Evelyn at the British Library found a box containing various samples of gunpowder and several notes that suggested they were related to the Gunpowder Plot:

Related Topics:
2002 - John Evelyn - British Library

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• "Gunpowder 1605 in a paper inscribed by John Evelyn. Powder with which that villain Faux would have blown up the parliament.",
• "Gunpowder. Large package is supposed to be Guy Fawkes' gunpowder.", and
• "But there was none left! WEH 1952".