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Remember, remember the fifth of November!

Gunpowder Plot 1605

Guy Fawkes, who was in the cellar of the parliament with the 36 barrels of gunpowder when the authorities zoomed in the early hours of November 5th, was caught, and later tortured and executed.

In 1605, thirteen young men planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Among them was Guy Fawkes, Britain's most notorious traitor. 

Guy Fawkes was born in 1570 in York. Even though most of his family was Protestant, his maternal grandparents were Catholics and refused to attend Protestant services and abide by the Protestant creed and faith.

After Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, the English Catholics, who had been persecuted under her rule, hoped that James I, her successor, would be more tolerant of their religious beliefs. However, James turned out to be even more intolerant than Elizabeth.

Tired of persecutions, a small group of men took shape under the command of Robert Catesby. They decided to blow up the Houses of Parliament. In doing so, they would kill the King and the Members of Parliament.

Being a highly skilled man in the matters of war, Guy Fawkes was asked to join what would become known as the Gunpowder Plot. Being an expert in gunpowder, he played a key role in the conspiracy. To carry out their plan, the conspirators got hold of 36 barrels of gunpowder and stored them in a cellar, just under the House of Lords.

As the group worked on the plot, it became clear that innocent people would be killed or injured in the attack, including people who had fought for more rights for Catholics. Therefore, having second thoughts, it is said that one of the members of the group sent an anonymous letter warning king’s men to stay away from the Parliament on November 5th.  The warning letter soon reached the King and plans to stop the conspirators were taken into action.

Guy Fawkes, who was in the cellar of the parliament with the 36 barrels of gunpowder when the authorities zoomed in the early hours of November 5th, was caught, and later tortured and executed.

So…in Britain, on November 5th, Bonfire Night is commemorated with fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire.

Ilda Camarneira

Lista de referências bibliográficas:

Canal História. (2014, janeiro 31) The death of Guy Fawks. Disponível em http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-death-of-guy-fawkes

BBC News. (s/d) Gunpowder Plot. Disponível em http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/the_gunpowder_plot