Guy Fawkes (April 13, 1570–January 31, 1606), an English soldier, was a member of a group of Roman Catholic conspirators who attempted to carry out the so-called Gunpowder Plot in 1605, in an attempt to assassinate King James I of England (James VI of Scotland) and the members of both houses of the Parliament of England. To do this, the House of Lords was to be blown up during the formal opening of the 1605 session of Parliament and the House of Commons, the members seated in a joint sitting for the opening. Guy Fawkes was in large part responsible for the latter stages of the plan's execution. His activities were detected, however, before the plan's completion. Following a severe interrogation, involving the use of torture, Fawkes and his co-conspirators were executed for treason and attempted murder. His capture is still commemorated in Britain and parts of Ireland with the popular celebration known as Guy Fawkes Night. | 
02-04-2006, 08:25 AM
