The gunpowder conspiracy, an explosive plot… or not!

2024-03-07T04:15:40.442Z

Highlights: At the beginning of the 17th century, a handful of persecuted English Catholics hatched a plot against the government. Their plan: to blow up Parliament when the king comes! In a previously unpublished story, Virginie Girod introduces you to the conspirators of the gunpowder conspiracy. The Gunpowder Plot failed... but Guy Fawkes' face made history! Today it serves as a mask for the protagonist of V for Vendetta, as well as for Anonymous activists. Themes covered: Catholic religion, Anglican Church, England, conspiracy.

At the beginning of the 17th century, a handful of persecuted English Catholics hatched a plot against the government. Their plan: to blow up Parliament when the king comes! In a previously unpublished story, Virginie Girod introduces you to the conspirators of the gunpowder conspiracy. The Christian religion is the key to this plot. In 1534, Henry VIII declared himself supreme head of the Church and clergy of England. The Anglican Church has just been born, in opposition to the Vatican. In 1603, King James I continued to persecute Catholics to assert the superiority of the Anglican religion in his kingdom. The more they are persecuted, the more Catholics become radicalized. Among them is Robert Catesby, the mastermind of the plot. With other conspirators, they planned to blow up Parliament, kill the king and install a regency favorable to Catholics. Powder barrels will be secretly stored in the Westminster cellars. Guy Fawkes, a former soldier, is responsible for setting it on fire. The opening session of Parliament, which James I was to preside over, was postponed several times, before being set for November 5, 1605. Time plays with the nerves of the conspirators, but also with their convictions. An anonymous letter was sent to Lord Monteagle, urging him not to appear in Parliament on 5 November. Monteagle is Catholic, but remains faithful to the king whom he informs of the plot organized against him. The police searched the basement of Parliament and found the barrels there as well as Guy Fawkes. Under torture, he reveals the names of his accomplices. The Gunpowder Plot failed... but Guy Fawkes' face made history! Today it serves as a mask for the protagonist of V for Vendetta, as well as for Anonymous activists.