Case Study: Gunpowder Plot 1605

Question 1

What were the goals of the plotters?

Answer 1

1. Leader was Robert Catesby
2. Kill the king and those close to him at the state opening of parliament on 5 November 1605
3. Replace James with his daughter Princess Elizabeth who they would influence to promote their aims

Question 2

Why did Catholics want to overthrow the king?

Answer 2

1. Catholics were actively prevented from practising
   2 Not allowed to hear mass, be married or baptised by a Catholic priest
2. Attending the local Protestant parish was compulsory or pay a fine

Question 3

How did the plot fail?

Answer 3

1. 20 Oct 1605 Monteagle got a letter saying that he should not attend the opening
2. Gave the info to Robert Cecil- king’s spy master
3. Raid in Westminster-gunpowder and Fawkes found

Question 4

Torture:

Answer 4

1. Tortured using the rack-stretches the body forcing the limbs apart at the joints
2. Confessed on 17 November 12 days after his arrest

Question 5

Punishment:

Answer 5

1. Trial began in January 1606
2. Hung, drawn and quartered
3. Deterrent to Catholics

Question 6

Long-term consequences of the plot:

Answer 6

1. King’s book published an account of the plot by James- encouraged anti-C attitudes
2. 1605 Thanksgiving Act ordered the events should be commemorated every year
3. Banned from legal profession and being armed officers in the armed forces
4. 1605 Popish Recusants Act forced Catholics to take an oath of allegiances to the English crown
5. Restricted from voting until 1829, becoming MPs or owning land.