Westminster

Listen to this story while standing in front of the Houses of Parliament and step back in time to 1605.

Who was Guy Fawkes? He was a highly trusted member of a gang of conspirators led by Robert Catesby who were determined to blow up Parliament and restore Roman Catholicism as the main religion in England.

When Elizabeth I died in 1603 English Catholics hoped for a more tolerant attitude from James I but unfortunately he was perhaps even less tolerant than his predecessor.

A small group of young men decided to take matters into their own hands and resorted to violent action, namely to blow up the Houses of Parliament whilst the King was in attendance, together with many members of Parliament, other VIPs and dignitaries. By today’s standards these conspirators would be known as terrorists and extremists - fanatics of a most dangerous type. To facilitate this dastardly deed, barrels of gunpowder were acquired and placed directly under the House of Lords where the King and his peers and Members of Parliament would be gathered.

Guy Fawkes was a respected member of the conspirators. Although not a member of the inner circle, he had spent time in the Netherlands and Spain fighting as a mercenary soldier and gained a reputation for bravery and courage.  His passion for the plight of Roman Catholics in England was as strong as his colleagues. He was quickly accepted into the group as a sincere and capable member with strong religious beliefs. His job was to store the 36 barrels of gunpowder in a rented room beneath the House of Lords and then ignite them.

Robert Catesby was a charismatic figure and was responsible for the hiring of all 13 members of the gang.   In spite of problems and concerns that arose during the time up to November 5 1605, he was in no doubt that violence and bloodshed were the only ways to achieve his goal. However, as the group worked on the plot doubts began to surface. Innocent people would die, including those who were sympathetic to the Catholic cause.  One group member sent a letter to Lord Monteagle warning him to stay away from Parliament on November 5. The letter was passed to the King and he sent orders to his forces to stop the conspirators.

On that eventful night of November 5 1605 Guy Fawkes was alone in the cellar beneath the House of Lords checking the 36 barrels of gunpowder. Troops burst in and he was arrested. The gunpowder plot was foiled and panic spread through the rest of the gang.

Guy Fawkes was tortured and eventually confessed. He was not in prison alone for long.  Some conspirators were either arrested as they fled London or surrendered. Others, including Robert Catesby were killed in a siege shortly after. Guy Fawkes stands out as the most famous of the gang simply because he was caught with the gunpowder. Apart from those who were killed in the siege and another member who died, the rest suffered terrible and brutal fates, by being hung, drawn and quartered. Bonfires were lift to celebrate the King’s life.

Since then on every November 5 Parliament is searched by Beefeaters, and bonfires lit everywhere.  Children make effigies of Guy Fawkes, stand with them on the streets and call Penny for the Guy, sir?

Learn more about the present Houses of Parliament

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