Re-introducing Guy Fawkes! The return of the London Dungeon's most EXPLOSIVE show...

Remember, remember, the fifth of November... We've all heard of Bonfire night, sometimes referred to as Guy Fawkes Night! Fireworks, hot drinks & memories to last a lifetime. But did you know, this explosive night originates from the Gunpowder Plot of 1605? Of course you didn't! So we're here to give you all the juicy facts about Guy Fawkes, the man who tried to blow up parliament - to commemorate the return of our most explosive show!

WHO WAS THE REAL GUY FAWKES?

Born in York in the year 1570, Guy Fawkes was the son of a church lawyer called Edward and a woman called Edith. This British soldier is best-known for his involvement in the Gunpowder plot on November 5th 1605!

This was a dangerous time to be Catholic, priests who were caught secretly leading services were captured, tortured and often executed. Inevitably this caused a lot of tension and many plots against Queen Elizabeth I were led by Catholics as part of their resistance.

WHY DID HE TRY TO BLOW UP PARLIAMENT?

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I - certain laws were put in place against Roman Catholics that many Catholics looked upon unfavourably. People were given fines if they didn't attend a Protestant church on Sunday or holy days, they were also forced to swear an oath of allegiance to the monarch.

Once King James I succeeded the Queen to the throne, many Catholics were hoping for a more tolerant monarch. Unfortunately, this was not the case, the King continued to enforce the harsh sanctions on Roman Catholics and over the centuries Catholics were also restricted from becoming MPs and owning land. 

Many Catholics began growing restless of the injustice which led to the birth of the infamous Gunpowder plot. A conspiracy conceived by Robert Catesby, together with his four co-conspirators, Guy Fawkes, Thomas Winter, Thomas Percy and John Wright.

Their intentions to kill the King and blow up parliament were fuelled by hopes that the confusion and chaos following the Kings murder would provide the ample opportunity for English Catholics to take over the country.

The plan involved the plotters taking Princess Elizabeth and Prince Charles upon successful completion of the King's death. Whilst this happened Fawkes was supposed to take ship for Flanders immediately to spread the news and gather supporters in hopes that the fragile government would willingly comply with their demands.

Interestingly, the conspirators faced a moral dilemma before their plan were to take place. Many of their close peers including other Roman Catholics would be killed in the explosion but Catesby refused all appeals for warnings to be given to certain individuals.

HOW DID HE GET CAUGHT?

Unfortunately for the conspirators, an anonymous letter was sent to Catholic, Lord Monteagle, warning him not to attend the State Opening. Lord Monteagle was the brother-in-law of Tresham who was known by some of the conspirators and had previously been involved in Catholic plots against the government.

The extract allegedly read "they shall receive a terrible blow this parliament and yet they shall not see who hurts them."

This led to an official search of the House of Lords in the early hours of November 5th - where Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellar with a lamp, a box of matches, a fuse and 36 barrels of gunpowder.

To this day, the author of the letter has never been proven! 

AFTERMATH, LEGACY AND 'GUY FAWKES NIGHT' 

Catesby, Fawkes and the other conspirators attempts to improve the lives of Roman Catholics in England had not only failed, but their crime also severely ruined their pursuit for justice for Catholics. More legal sanctions were placed on Roman Catholics and the plot intensified Protestant suspicions of Roman Catholics - increasing tensions further.

Guy Fawkes and the other conspirators were tried for high treason in Westminster Hall on the 27th of January 1606 - they were all convicted and sentenced to death. It's believed that they were tortured extensively before being executed which included hanging, quartering and drawing!

On the 5th of November in January 1606 - this day was officially deemed a day of Public thanksgiving for the failed assassination of the King. 

Today, Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom and several countries that were formerly part of the British Empire. Join in the fun with bonfires, fireworks displays, parades and lots of food!

The return of the London Dungeon's most EXPLOSIVE show!

Guy Fawkes' Gunpowder Plot has returned to the London Dungeon! The perfect treat to commemorate Bonfire night...

Beyond the city gates you enter a dark, rat-infested tunnel that winds back beneath the city of London. Dare you proceed? Of course you do, you've come to the London Dungeon! Not only are you brave and of higher than average intelligence, you're good looking. Of course you dare.

Anyway - and this is the kicker - who could resist the chance to BLOW UP PARLIAMENT?

Obviously you shouldn't concern yourselves with a certain unlit fuse next to all the gunpowder. Just relax and enjoy the history… it's never been so explosive.

WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER...

• The world's most famous plotter (or at least part of him?)
• What happened to Guy Fawkes during his 10 days of torture... nice!
• Why Edward Bates isn't the brightest match in the box (LOLOL!)
• See, hear, feel and smell what could have happened if Guy Fawkes was successful - it's going to get explosive!