The Gunpowder Plot.

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Hassan Kamal.

THE GUNPOWDER PLOT.

The gunpowder plot occurred in the period of time that James VI of Scotland, son of Mary Queen of Scots, had taken the English throne as James I. He had promised relaxation towards Catholics in England and they could therefore finally relax, at the end of an era in 1605. That same era that Catholics had had to suffer severe persecution since 1570. Rumours had suggested James was more warmly disposed to Catholics than the dying Queen. This relaxation led to growth in the number of visible Catholics. While trying to cope with different religious demands, James I was displeased by the Catholics’ increasing strength.

 Discovering two small Catholic plots in 1603 did not help towards further relaxation for Catholics, although many Catholics were horrified, all were tainted by the threat of treason. As an expression of this, James I bestowed hostility against the Catholics in order to satisfy the Puritans, whose demands could not be wholly satisfied. Consequently, James I expelled all priests and Jesuits and recusancy fines were reintroduced.    

Bitterly disappointed, English Catholics prepared to swallow the fines and live their double lives as best they could. This passive approach had not however suited all: Robert Catesby was a committed Catholic, familiar with the price of faith. He possessed immense personal magnetism, crucial in recruiting and leading his band of conspirators.

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Catesby had joined with his friends Thomas Wintour, Jack Wright and Thomas Percy at the Duck Drake, in the Strand. The fifth person was Guy Fawkes originally coming from York, he had been recruited in Flanders where he had been serving the Spanish Army.

The original plan involving renting a house near to the Palace of Westminster and digging a tunnel under the Houses of Parliament was established into action. However, slow progress was upon these gentlemen who were not used to such hard labour.

In March 1605 Thomas Percy was able to acquire a cellar ...

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