The Gunpowder Plot (EME)

Question 1

who was the king at the time of the gunpowder plot?

Answer 1

James I

Question 2

what was the gunpowder plot?

Answer 2

-a failed attempt to assassinate King James I of England during the Opening of Parliament in November 1605.
-organised by Robert Catesby, a devout English Catholic who hoped to kill the Protestant King James & establish Catholic rule in England

Question 3

who did the plotters want to rule?

Answer 3

plotters wanted to make James Is daughter, Elizabeth STUART, queen

Question 4

how did they get caught?

Answer 4

-Lord Montessori gave a letter he received which warned him not to attend the state opening of parliament to Robert Cecil

-Cecil ordered search of houses of parliament

-gunpowder & Guy Fawkes discovered

-Guy Fawkes arrested & tortured to give up fellow conspirators

Question 5

when was the gunpowder & Guy Fawkes discovered?

Answer 5

5th November 1605

Question 6

when were the plotters tried & found guilty?

Answer 6

January 1606

Question 7

what was the punishment to the plotters?

Answer 7

publically hung, drawn & quartered

Question 8

why was there such a harsh & public punishment to treason?

Answer 8

-treason = most serious crime

-without police force, harsh punishment was thought to be the only way of deterring crime

-period of political instability, due to disputes over the royal succession, required harsh punishment as form of deterrent

-harsh message necessary to deter catholics from rising up against protestant monarchy