Guy Fawkes Biography

 

 

One of England's most infamous criminals, Guy Fawkes was arrested for plotting to blow up the Houses of Parliament during the reign of King James I. He is celebrated as the main figurehead of the plot to blow up Parliament and on Bonfire Night on 5th November effigies of Guy Fawkes are often burned.

Guy Fawkes was born in York and went to St Peter's School. He was a zealous convert to Catholicism and even joined the the Spanish army to enlist in its fight against the Netherlands. In 1603, he even went on a mission to try and persuade the Spanish monarch Phillip III to invade England because of England's suppression of Catholicism. The mission was unsuccessful, but on returning home he was later recruited by Robert Catesby in a Catholic plot to blow up parliament.

The plot was hatched as retribution for Parliaments increasing suppression of Catholics and Catholic practices. The gang managed to smuggle tons of gunpowder into cellars under parliament. The idea was that Guy Fawkes would light the fuse when Parliament was in session and King James was in attendance. However, the plot was betrayed and Guy Fawkes was caught red handed with matches next to the fuses and gunpowder. Guy Fawkes was tortured on the Kings orders (It was said Guy Fawkes' height was increased by several inches following his time on the rack. This led to the plot unraveling and all the main conspirators were caught.

Guy FawkesGuy Fawkes was hung, drawn and quartered outside parliament on the 31st January, 1606.

Right - Guy Fawkes' signature of confession after torture.

The failed plot is celebrated as Bonfire night with fireworks and big fires.

Other conspirators in the gunpowder plot include:

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