England, November 1605. A daring plot is uncovered—a conspiracy to blow up the king, his court, and Parliament itself. It was a scheme so bold, so dangerous, that its failure sent shockwaves across the nation.

But the story doesn’t end with Guy Fawkes in the cellars of Parliament. On this day in history, 30th January 1606, four of his fellow conspirators met their gruesome fate at St Paul’s Churchyard in London, their executions serving as a chilling reminder of what happens to those who dare to betray the crown. Their names were Everard Digby, Robert Wintour, John Grant, and Thomas Bates, and their plot sought to strike at the very heart of England’s monarchy and government. But what led these men to such a grim fate? And why does the Gunpowder Plot still echo through history? Let’s uncover the story.

5th November in the UK is Bonfire Night, a time to celebrate the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I and his government.

On the night of 4/5th November 1605, Gunpowder Plot conspirator, Guy Fawkes, was found with 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar beneath the Palace of Westminster, and the Gunpowder Plot was brought to an end.

But why was there a plot to kill the king and what has this event got to do with Tudor history?

Well, a lot, because the Gunpowder Plot had its roots in Elizabeth I’s reign.

Today is, of course, the anniversary of the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot on 5th November 1605.

It may have been a plot to kill King James I, and so a Stuart plot, but it had its roots in Elizabeth I’s reign.

You can find out more in the video and resources below:

Today is the anniversary of the discovery of Gunpowder Plot conspirator, Guy Fawkes, and 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar beneath the Palace of Westminster on the night of 4th/5th November 1605. The plotters were planning to blow up the Houses of Parliament on the opening of Parliament and assassinate the king, his government and leading bishops and nobles.

But why and what has this event in James I’s reign got to do with Tudor history?

Well, a lot, because the Gunpowder Plot had its roots in Elizabeth I’s reign.

Find out more about the Gunpowder Plot, and those involved, in today’s talk.

On this day in history, 31st January 1606, Gunpowder Plot conspirators Thomas Winter, Ambrose Rookwood, Robert Keyes, and Guy Fawkes were executed for treason at the Old Palace Yard, Westminster.

Two of them cheated the executioner and crowd by leaping at the gallows, but they still had awful ends. Hear a contemporary account of their executions, including what they did and said, in today’s talk.

On this day in Tudor history, 16th April 1570, Gunpowder Plot conspirator Guy Fawkes was baptised in York.

In today’s video, I talk about how the Gunpowder Plot has its origins in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and why these men were driven to try and blow up Westminster.