Gunpowder_Plot_Essay

Gunpowder Plot Essay. In this essay, I am going to discuss all the details and information about Guy Fawkes and his Gunpowder Plot. Also, I will be explaining all about James 1 becoming King of England and some of the problems he had caused. In my second paragraph I will give a detailed account of the gunpowder Plot as we know it- in other words, that Guy Fawkes was responsible. In my third paragraph, I will provide evidence that supports the traditional veiw explain the details of the traditional view. In my fourth paragraph, I will explain that the traditional view has been challenged as new evidence which has been discovered. I will provide examples of this new evidence in my writing and also suggest reasons why; this evidence was concealed at the time. As well as this, I will explain if it might or might not be reliable. Furthermore, in my conclusion, I will write a detailed paragraph giving my opinion, based on the evidence about whether or not the Gunpowder Plotters were innocent or guilty. To find all of my information, I am going to use a number of recourses. The best way In my opinion to find my information is to use textbooks. This is because I know that the information that is given to me is correct. Also, internet research was another I found quite useful. This is because there is a number of different websites to use and the information can be very helpful. However, some information can be incorrect, so you have to watch out for that. Finally, general books from the library are very handy for other interesting details you may need to find. I am now going to discuss about the background information and the details about James 1 and how he became king of England. James was born at Edinburgh Castle on 19 June 1566 to Mary Queen of Scots and her second husband, Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley. James mother, Mary Queen of Scots, fled from Scotland to England. This was all because she was accused of the death of her husband. All of this started in 1567, when a rebellion broke out in Scotland against Mary. Partly, about religion, Protestantism was spreading strongly in Scotland and nobles and church leaders set up there own Protestant ‘Church of Scotland’ But the murder of Mary’s husband actually started the rebellion. The Scots believed that Mary had planned the killing. Soon afterwards, she married the Earl of Both well, who had probably arranged the murder. So,Protestant rebels forced Mary, Queen of Scots, to abdicate the throne. Consequently, her 13-months old son James automatically became king of Scotland (James VI of Scotland). James was brought up a Protestant (though his parents were Catholics). He received a good education and was interested in literature and religion. As James was too young to rule the country himself, Scotland was ruled by four successive regents (Lord Moray, Matthew Stewart, John Erskine, James Douglas). Moray and Stewart were killed, Erskine died and Douglas was accused of treachery and executed. So, at the age of 12, James took over the power and ruled the country with the help of his courtiers. When in 1603 Queen Elizabeth died without any children, James VI of Scotland also became James I of England. James was the first king to rule over England, Scotland and Ireland and called himself King of Great Britain. However there was many problems he had caused, and many of them was due to religion. When Queen Elizabeth 1st took the throne of England she made some laws against the Roman Catholics. There was quite a lot of Catholics who felt that the government was treating Roman Catholics unfairly. They hoped that King James 1st would change the laws, but he didn't .Catholics had to practise their religion in secret. There were even fines for people who didn't attend the Protestant church on Sunday or on holy days. James lst passed more laws against the Catholics when he became king. In 1604, James signed the Treaty of London to end the conflict between England and Spain. (Queen Elizabeth had encouraged the captains of English ships to attack Spanish ships and steal their treasures.) James authorised an offical translation of the Bible, known as King James’s Version. (This version can still be bought today.) James also had to deal with problems of religion. He regarded Catholics and Puritans (a radical Protestant movement) with great suspicion and did not allow them to worship as they pleased. Consequently many Catholics and Puritans left England. I am now going to discuss and explain the traditional view of the Gunpowder Plot. As you already know, James 1 had caused many problems due to religion, and Catholics strongly disliked him. One Catholic, who’s name was Guy Fawkes is very well known now for this traditional view. As soon as James 1 became king, Catholics thought it was going to be great. The Catholics had expected James to be more tolerant of them. In fact, he had proved to be the total opposite and had ordered all Catholic priests to leave England. (as I already noted.) This so angered some Catholics that they decided to come up with a plot. Guy Fawkes, also known as Guido became involved in the infamous Gunpowder Plot. It was intended to overthrow the government and assassinate the monarch by blowing up the Houses of Parliament.