Gunpowder

Probably because of V for Vendetta and that iconic mask, the name “Guy Fawkes” and the date November 5th are more widely known beyond British shores than in years past, but the details of the infamous “Gunpowder Plot” generally aren’t.

It starts with King Henry VIII, around 1540, seizing control from Rome over the Church in England, pissing off every Catholic on the island. For decades after that, attempt after attempt was made to destroy the fledgling “Church of England”, by way of political manoeuvring, kidnapping and coercion, all in a bid to restore control of the Faith to Rome.
None of it ever worked, so, in 1605, a cabal of Jesuits drew up a plan to wipe out everyone that controlled the Church of England in one go: King James I, the privy council, the senior aristocracy and Bishops. They would all be gathered in the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament, and it was that which the conspirators planned to blow up.
Once everyone was dead, a popular revolt would have been sparked. King James’ daughter would have been kidnapped and installed on the throne as a puppet and power restored to Rome.
That obviously didn’t happen.

Fawkes is the famous name, because he was the one caught at the scene, matches in hand. He wasn’t the mastermind, though. A 3-part BBC mini-series, running from tonight until the weekend of November 5th, follows the endeavours of the plot’s architect, Robert Catesby (Played by the contractually-obligated-to-remain-unshaven Kit Harrington).
Looks to be as highly polished as previous period dramas from The Beeb.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBFcpJ…


Yew noo nuthin, Jon Snuuuu.