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.

The beginnings of the plot

The conspirators had become disillusioned in King James's refusal to give equal rights to Catholics. The plot was intended to initiate a rebellion during which, they hoped, James's nine year old daughter (Princess Elizabeth) could be installed as a Catholic head of state.

Related Topics:
Princess Elizabeth - Head of state

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The plot was masterminded from May 1604 by Robert Catesby. Other known plotters included Thomas Wintour, Robert Wintour, Christopher Wright, Thomas Percy (also spelt Percye), John Grant, Ambrose Rokewood, Robert Keyes, Sir Everard Digby, Francis Tresham and Catesby's servant, Thomas Bates. The plot was executed by Guido (Guy) Fawkes, an explosives expert with considerable military experience who had been introduced to Catesby by a man named Hugh Owen. Some accounts indicate that Thomas Wintour was the prime mover in all of this, and that Fawkes was the tool towards the ultimate execution of the plot.

Related Topics:
1604 - Robert Catesby - Thomas Wintour - Robert Wintour - Thomas Percy - Ambrose Rokewood - Everard Digby - Francis Tresham - Guido (Guy) Fawkes - Hugh Owen

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The details of the plot were well known to the principal Jesuit of England, Father Henry Garnet. Many believe that, with his tacit approval, the plot was seen by the conspirators as part of the Counter-Reformation. In any case, once informed, neither the Pope nor his representative acted to halt the proceedings.

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