2.3: case study - C&P of gunpowder plotters, 1605

• • gunpowder plotters acted against the crown due to james not allowed religious freedom for catholics
  • plotters accused of treason
  • punished harshly
• 1606, guy fawkes was hanged, drawn and quartered for treason
• 1603, after elizabeth’s death, many were hopeful that james would allow more religious freedom for catholics however he introduced STRICTER anti-catholic measures
• | goals of gunpowder plotters

  • catesby was responsible for recruiting other gunpowder plotters
  • inc: guy fawkes, thomas percy, jack wright & thomas winton
  • aimed to set off an exploding to kill king @ parliament on 5 Nov 1605
  • elite protestant english society would attend
  • plotters wanted to replace James with his daughter
• | why did catholics want to overthrow the king?

  • protestantism official religion since act of uniformity
  • elizabeth I was disowned by the pope; ordered loyal catholics to depose her
  • following her excommunication, catholics were prevented from practicing their faith
  • catholics weren't allowed to marry or get baptised; compulory to attend protestant church or they were fined
• | the plan

  • 1st met on 20 may 1604; rented a house next to parliament
  • fawkes pretended to be a servant who was looking after the house
  • rented a cellar under the house of lords w/ 36 barrels holding 1 ton of gunpowder
• | the plot fails

  • 20th october 1065, lord monteagle gets a letter warming him to not attend parliament
  • gave info to king’s spy master who ordered westminister to be searched & found fawkes
• | the plot fails

  • some argue that the authorities knew about the plots in advance but let it proceed so catholic rebellion would be brought into the open & there’d be clear justification for further catholic persecution
  • fawkes travelled to flanders for foreign assistance; actions monitored by spies
• king’s spy master was robert CECIL
• | questioning, trial & punishment

  • torture legal if king gave orders
  • fawkes tortured to give confessions about their role
  • fawkes was put on the rack; @ 1st he refused but on 17th nov, 12 days after his arrest he finally confessed
• | questioning, trial & punishment

  • conspirator's trial began in january 1606; guilty of TREASON
  • sentenced to death by being hanged, drawn & quartered
  • AUTHORITIES determined to make the punishment a DETERRENCE to others who might plan a similar attack
  • at this time of religious instability, they were concerned other catholics might want to plot against the king
• | long term consequences of the plot

  • 'king's book' published inc jame's account & fawkes' confession to encourage anti-catholicism
  • 1605: thanksgiving act
  • 5th november commemorated & catholics banned from legal professions & armed forces
  • 1606: Popish Recusants Act
  • forced catholics to take oath to crown; take part in church services or they were fined
  • banned from voting until 1829
• | summary...

  • english catholics were persecuted in various ways & weren't free to worship as they chose
  • gunpowder plot, led by catesby, aimed to blow up the king at the state opening of parliament in 1605
  • plot was uncovered & conspirators were found guilty of treason; sentenced to death by being hanged, drawn & quartered
  • following the plot, catholics experienced more persecution & were excluded by law from voting