In 1605, a group of English Catholics led by Robert Catesby planned to kill King James I by blowing up the House of Lords with gunpowder on November 5th. Guy Fawkes was tasked with preparing and guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder placed beneath the House. However, the authorities were warned anonymously and arrested Fawkes before he could light the fuse. The plotters were subsequently hunted down, tried for treason, and executed. Today the failed Gunpowder Plot is commemorated annually in Britain as Guy Fawkes Night with fireworks displays and bonfires.

1. Guy Fawkes Night and the Gunpowder Plot Marta Altés

2. The Gunpowder Plot Some English Catholics intended to kill James I of England and VI of Scotland in 1605. They also planned to abduct the royal children and lead a popular revolt in the Midlands.

3. Origins The plot was overseen from May 1604 by Robert Catesby. The explosives were prepared by Guy Fawkes. The plotters wanted a greater tolerance of Roman Catholicism.

4. Planning In May 1604, Sir Thomas Percy rented a house next to the House of Lords. By March 1605 Fawkes and some other plotters filled the vaults beneath the House of the Lords with 36 barrels of gunpowder.

5. Discovery, trial and executions A letter sent by one of the conspirators let the authorities find out all the plot. At midnight on 5 November king’s men arrested Guy Fawkes. All the plotters were found guilty and they were hanged, drawn and quartered.

6. Guy Fawkes Night On the 5th of November people celebrate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot. The celebration involves fireworks displays and the building of bonfires. It’s typical to eat bonfire toffe, toffe apples, baked potatoes and parkin.

7. Cultural References The devilish nature of the Gunpowder Plot inspired Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The film and comic book series V for Vendetta recreate the Gunpowder Plot.

8. References http://www.bonfirenight.net/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Guy.html

9. Thank you for your attention!