What Was The Gunpowder Plot?

On 5th November, 1605, a man called Guy Fawkes and a group of plotters attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. His target was King James I and his government.

He put 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars, which he planned to set alight, killing everyone inside.

What Happened Next?

The plan didn’t work! One of the King’s supporters found an anonymous letter with a warning to stay away from the Houses of Parliament on 5th November When guards investigated the cellars, they found Guy Fawkes hiding. All the conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, were eventually arrested, tortured and executed for treason!

Why Blow up the Government?

The reason for Guy Fawkes’ Gunpowder Plot was that, with King James I on the throne, England was a Protestant country but Guy Fawkes and the plotters were Catholic. They thought killing King James I would return England to the Catholic faith.