Gunpowder, Treason and Plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot
A brief history lesson for the Islamophobes…Terrorism in the pursuit of furthering a religious goal is not unique to any one faith. The English had a close call with religious zealots willing to commit terrorism over 400 years ago. They still celebrate the foiling of the plot to blow up Parliament and murder the King.
On this day in 1605, Guy Fawkes was caught in the basement of Parliament with several dozen barrels of gunpowder. The Gunpowder Plot was an unsuccessful attempt by militant Catholics to assassinate King James I, many members of his family and most of the protestant aristocracy during the State Opening ceremonies of the House of Lords.
The plot was likely tipped when one of the plotters sent a note to a family member, beseeching him not to be present and to tell fellow Catholics to skip the ceremony. The note was read aloud in the Parliament on November 4, and the secret was out. A search was initiated and Guy Fawkes was caught red handed just after midnight on the morning of November fifth. Fawkes was imprisoned in the Tower of London and tortured, under the express written consent of the king, to extract the details of the plot. When the note was read aloud, many of the plotters attempted to flee. Some were apprehended in heavy rain and others got away and attempted to start their revolt in the midlands anyway, but it failed and many died in a shoot-out.
The surviving terrorists were apprehended, tried and executed most heinously. Several were hanged, drawn and quartered. First, they were hanged until almost dead, then they were drawn and quartered while conscious. However, Fawkes cheated the executioner by leaping from the gallows and breaking his neck, killing him instantly.
Tonight, throughout England and some former colonies, the people will celebrate Bonfire Night and the foiling of a plot to overthrow the government by religious extremists.
Americans get to do the same at the ballot box in less than one year!
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
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