1) In 1605, a group of Catholic conspirators led by Robert Catesby hatched a plan to blow up the English Parliament with gunpowder on November 5th, when the State Opening was scheduled. 2) The plotters rented a house near Parliament and began tunneling, but hit groundwater. They were eventually able to store 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar. 3) One of the plotters, Guy Fawkes, was left in charge of guarding the gunpowder but they were discovered when authorities searched the cellar after an anonymous warning letter.

2. 
James I becomes King of England.

Fines Catholics not attending Church of
England services and he puts Catholic
priests to death.

3. 
Robert Catesby hatches a
plan to blow up
Parliament on the day it
opens.

4. 
The plotters recruit Guido Fawkes, an
explosives expert.

5. 


Rent a house near to Houses of Parliament and
start tunnelling.
Water leaks in from the River Thames
Walls of the House of Lords could not be
penetrated.

6. 

State Opening of Parliament postponed until 5th
November 1605
Cellar room becomes available for rent.

7. 

36 barrels of
gunpowder moved
to the cellar and
hidden behind
firewood.
Guy Fawkes left in
charge of guarding
it.

8. 
Lord Monteagle, an MP – and
cousin of Francis Tresham –
receives a letter, warning him
to not attend the State
Opening of Parliament.

Monteagle shows letter to
Robert Cecil who, in turn,
shows it to the King.

9. 
King orders search of the cellars.

‘John Johnson’ found with pile of
wood.

2nd search - gunpowder is found.

Johnson is arrested and taken to
the Tower.

10. 
Johnson confesses
to being Guy
Fawkes.

After four days of
torture he
confesses to the
Plot.

11. 
Meanwhile, the other plotters had been hiding in a
house in the Midlands.

Soldiers surround the house.

Catesby, Percy & Winter brothers are shot dead.

Remaining plotters taken to the Tower.

Tried, and found guilty of High Treason.

12. 
Plotters hanged, drawn and quartered for their
crimes.