History KS1 - 3. What happened after The Gunpowder Plot?
The consequences for Guy Fawkes and the other plotters and how the events of 1605 are commemorated in present day Bonfire Night celebrations.
3. What happened after The Gunpowder Plot?
Guy Fawkes was discovered and arrested in the early hours of 5 November 1605 in a chamber under the House of Lords. He was surrounded by 36 barrels of gunpowder and had the fuses to detonate them on his person.
Fawkes initially gave his name as John Johnson to hide his identity. He was taken to the Tower of London where pupils will hear (but not witness) that he revealed the names of his co-conspirators after three days of torture. Catesby died during his arrest and many of the other plotters were subsequently executed - their heads being put on display as a warning against acts of treason.
Pupils will also learn how the events of 1605 are still commemorated each year on 5 November - Bonfire Night.
Resources
Songs
Consolidate pupils' learning about The Gunpowder Plot with these three catchy songs from our Music pages.
Teachers' Notes
Before the video
What does the word 'traitor' mean?
What do you think will happen to the other plotters?
Should Guy Fawkes tell the truth?
Was it right to treat Fawkes in the way that he was?
Why did Fawkes use a false name?
During the video
What is the Tower of London? (A historic castle / fortress by the River Thames. At the time it was used as a prison.)
How long was Fawkes tortured for? (Three days.)
What happened to the plotters? (Fawkes did receive the death penalty but leapt from the gallows breaking his neck in the process. Most plotters were executed - but Catesby and others were killed in a gunfight during their arrest and another died from illness before he could stand trial.)
Why were the heads of the plotters put on public display? (As a warning not to commit treason.)
What was James I’s new law? (A celebration to commemorate the capture of the plotters, every year on 5 November.)
After the video
Explore how Bonfire Night has changed throughout time.
Sequence the events of the story. This could be done through drama.
Create a comic strip to show the events.
Class debate: should we still celebrate Bonfire Night? Why? Why not?
Curriculum Notes
This video is relevant for teaching History at KS1 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and 1st Level in Scotland.
