EM CASE STUDY- Gunpowder Plot

EM CASE STUDY- Gunpowder Plot

who became king after Eliz I and his religion

• James I

• Protestant; catholics wanted a catholic monarch so angry and despite having a catholic wife he put in place many anti-catholic measures

who was the lead figure of the plot and what was he responsible for

• Robert Catesby (a catholic)

• responsible for recruiting other gunpowder plotters including Guy Fawkes, Thomas Percy, Thomas Winton and Jack Wright

what was the aim of the conspiracy

• set off an explosion that would kill the king and those close to him at the state opening of parliament

when was the plot planned to happen

5 Nov 1605

what was the purpose of the plot

• lots of elite protestant English society present at this occasion, including senior judges, bishops and members of aristocratic ruling class

• wanted to break up this powerful ruling group and replace James I with his daughter Princess Elizabeth who they would influence and control to promote their own political and religious aims

reasons why the plotters wanted to overthrow the king

• protestantism had been official religion in England since Act of Uniformity passed in 1559, which led to Eliz I being excommunicated from church and pope called upon all Catholics to depose Eliz so meant Catesby and rest of plotters calling upon this command from the pope, their religious leader

• loss of ability to practice their faith; Catholics punished if they heard mass and married or baptised by a catholic priest; wanted their freedom

when did the conspirators meet to organise the attack

• 20 May 1604

what was the plan for the plot

• rented a house in central Westminster next to parliament buildings

• Fawkes pretended to be a servant who was looking after the house while his employer was away

• they rented a cellar directly under House of Lords and packed it with an estimated 36 barrels holding at least a ton of gunpowder

who was warned not to attend the ceremonial opening of parliament and when

• Lord Monteagle

• 20 Oct 1605

who did Monteagle give this info to and what did they do

• gave this info to Robert Cecil, the kings spymaster, who ordered a search of Westminster

• here the gunpowder and Guy Fawkes were discovered

how were Fawkes and other conspirators tried to extract confessions about their role in the plot

• tortured

was torturing legal

only if king gave specific orders for it

how were the conspirators tortured

• the rack; wooden frame that was used to stretch the body, forcing limbs apart at the joints

• Fawkes was tortured using this method at the Tower of London

when did Fawkes confess

17 Nov 1605

when did the conspirators trial begin and what was the verdict

• January 1606

• guilty of treason

• sentenced to death by being hanged, drawn and quartered

why was the punishment so harsh for the plotters and what was the goal of the punishment

• goal was to be a deterrent to other people who wanted to overthrow the king; threatened his power

• time of religious instability so concerned that others would want to do this therefore meaning the punishment had to be severe

long term consequences of the plot

• kings book published soon after the uncovering of the plot

• Thanksgiving Act

• Popish Recusants Act

• long term impact on catholic life for centuries after

what did James I’s book include and what was the goal of it

• account by James of the events of the plot

• Fawkes’ confession

• helped to encourage anti-catholic attitudes, therefore keeping James in power

when was the Thanksgiving Act

Jan 1606

what did the Thanksgiving Act order to happen

• events of 5th Nov should be commemorated each year

• Catholics banned from working in the legal profession or becoming officers in the armed forces

when was the Popish Recusants Act

1606

what did the Popish Recusants Act do

• forced Catholics to take an oath of allegiance to the English crown

• forced to take part in CofE services and rituals or pay fines as punishment

how did the plot have an impact on Catholics for centuries

• restricted from voting, becoming MPs, owning land

• banned from voting in any elections until 1829

why did all of these laws change

• became stricter so James could enforce his religion and role as king

• ensure no other plots will ever occur