What is a Viking? Viking facts for kids
1 December 2024
Viking facts for kids What comes to mind when you picture a Viking? Vicious warriors heading off to war
One major problem that historians have regarding what led up to the 5th of November happening is bias. This is largely because most historical accounts of any major event are written by those who come out on top or have the most power. Experience tells us, though, there are usually at least two sides to any story so in analysing events and characters from the past, it is important to take a balanced view.
Read about the main characters involved in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and have a look at the questions at the end. Taking a neutral approach, what do you think about what went on?
King James I and IV:
James I took over the throne of England in 1603 because he was the nearest living relative of Queen Elizabeth I. He was King of Scotland at the time so united the two countries under one ruler. He believed fervently that kings were appointed by God and could rule largely as they wished. He was known to be extravagant and spent lavishly on his social life, particularly hunting and feasting. He was keen to avoid England being involved in expensive wars abroad but still increased his income by raising taxes on imported goods. Later, in 1611, he abolished Parliament and attempted to rule entirely on his own. He was head of the Protestant Church of England, staunchly anti-Roman Catholic and, during his reign, the King James Bible was printed, the first real translation of the book in English not Latin.
Robert Cecil:
The chief minister of King James I was Robert Cecil, later to become Lord Salisbury. He followed in the footsteps of his father William Cecil (Lord Burghley) who had been the leading adviser of Elizabeth I. Robert Cecil was a clever, hard-working man who effectively ran the country. He had no time for dissidents especially Roman Catholics and helped to bring in very harsh regulations against them including imprisonment, torture and execution. He was the spymaster of his day (like the head of MI5!) and organised a network of spies both in England and abroad. It was through these spies that he found out about the Gunpowder Plot. Some historians have suggested he may have forged the letter that warned the authorities about the plot. Or he may have known about the plot early but allowed it to progress up to 4 November so that he could catch more of the conspirators.
Guy (Guido) Fawkes:
Born in York in 1570, Guy Fawkes was brought up by a stepfather who was a Roman Catholic. Guy was impressed with the way Catholics were brave enough to stand up for what they believed so he soon became a Catholic himself. In his early 20s, using money from an inheritance, he moved abroad where he enlisted and fought as a soldier in Holland and Belgium in the armies of the Catholic King Philip of Spain. Guy was a brave and successful soldier, and he was soon promoted to the rank of captain where he became an expert with the use of explosives in breaking down defensive fortifications (I think I know where this is going, Ed). While abroad he kept in touch with his Catholic friends in England, later meeting Robert Catesby in Brussels. With other friends they began to hatch the plot to destroy King James and his noblemen. Once arrested, Fawkes withstood many days of torture before finally confessing and giving up the names of the other plotters.
Robert Catesby:
Although the name of Guy Fawkes is best known, it was really Robert Catesby who was the leader of the Catholic conspirators. He owned lands and property in Warwickshire and had already been involved in plots against a monarch; including the Earl of Essex’s unsuccessful rebellion against Elizabeth I in 1601. Later he was locked up in the Tower of London but escaped execution. Catesby was forced to pay large fines as a Catholic and had to sell property as a result. He started to organise the conspirators as early as January 1604 and made all of them swear an oath of secrecy. Catesby was concerned about the finances they would need to pay for the plot and at the last moment, perhaps unwisely, extended the group to assist with finances. When the plot failed, Catesby escaped from London with a number of the others but was tracked down to Holbeche Hall in Worcestershire, where he was shot and killed during the skirmish.
Francis Tresham:
Francis Tresham was one of those who joined the plotters late during 1605, supposedly to provide extra cash. He was another who had been involved in the Earl of Essex’s rebellion in 1601. Then it was only his father’s wealth that had saved him from execution. It was Tresham who panicked when he realised two of his brothers-in-law would be killed in Parliament when the explosion went off. It is believed he wrote to one of them, Lord Monteagle, hinting at what might happen on 5 November and Monteagle promptly handed the suspicious letter over to Robert Cecil who stepped up his investigations. Tresham was located after trying to escape and finally arrested on 12 November. In the Tower of London, he continued to protest his innocence. In the end he never even stood trial, and after being taken ill for several weeks he died from natural causes just before Christmas.
Points to consider and discuss:
• Why do you think Guy Fawkes and the other plotters wanted to blow up Parliament? What might make people feel desperate enough to do something as extreme as this?
• Do you think there was an alternative way for Catholics to solve their problems at that time without violence? What other actions could they have taken?
• Do you think James I was a good ruler? Should he have been so harsh towards Roman Catholics?
• Robert Cecil was known as a ‘spymaster’. Do you think it’s okay for governments to spy on people to keep the country safe?
• He has always been considered as a scoundrel and a traitor, but do you think Guy Fawkes was also courageous? Is it possible for someone to be a hero AND a villain?
• If you were Francis Tresham, or one of the other conspirators, do you think you would have confessed or kept the secret? Why do you think it would be hard to keep such a big secret?
If you enjoyed this journey back in time, why not check out an AQUILA subscription!
Words: John Davis
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