People sometimes joke that Guido Fawkes was the only man ever to enter Parliament with honest intentions.
I remember the nursery rhyme:
“Remember, Remember the 5th of November, Gunpowder, Treason and Plot” fireworks, bonfires with hot roast potatoes: childhood memories 🙂
For those unfamiliar with Guido Fawkes, aka; Guy Fawkes or John Johnson: On the 5th of November 1605 a failed assassination attempt was made against King James I of England and VI of Scotland by a group of English Catholics led by Robert Catesby. It’s a long story starting with King Henry the VIII, the Pope, Queen Elizabeth I & ending with James I. These three monarchs were considered to be persecuting Catholics. True in the case of the two Kings but Elizabeth did try some form of unanimity but to no avail.
A group of Roman Catholics led by Robert Catesby conspired to end Protestant rule with a big explosion. Their plan was to blow up the King, Queen, church leaders, along with assorted nobles and both Houses of Parliament, by using 36 barrels of gunpowder which had been strategically placed in the cellars beneath the Palace of Westminster. It failed and most of the perpetrators were arrested & sentenced to death.
Why did they do it ? – all I can say is plus ça change.
David A Lockwood 
Learned something new today. Thank you David
Ah history is fascinating 🙂 go back far enough and most of the worlds ills can be answered.
David.
The first time I’d heard of Guy Fawkes was from the movie V for Vendetta. Fascinating history.
Yes it is – there is even a theory that it was a conspired plot to strengthen anti catholic sentiments which still has repercussions to this day.
A search of the cellars on the day before each State Opening of Parliament is still carried out.
David.