Guy Fawkes - Info sheet

Guy Fawkes is a historical figure synonymous with the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Born in York, England, in April 1570, Fawkes was initially raised in a Protestant family but converted to Catholicism as a child. At the age of 21, he left England to fight for the Catholic Spanish army in the Eighty Years War, during which time he adopted the Italian version of his name, becoming known as 'Guido'. Upon his return, Fawkes became involved with a group of conspirators, led by Robert Catesby, who were determined to overthrow the Protestant government by blowing up the Houses of Parliament and assassinating King James I.

Their plan was to ignite barrels of gunpowder positioned beneath the Parliament building on November 5th. However, the scheme was foiled when one of the conspirators warned a family member to stay away from Parliament on the day of the planned explosion. This warning led to the discovery of the plot, and as a result, Fawkes and his associates were captured and subsequently punished. The legacy of Guy Fawkes endures, as he is remembered annually on Guy Fawkes Night for his role in the failed Gunpowder Plot. The story serves as a historical reminder of the events that took place and the importance of remembering the implications of treason and conspiracy against the government.