Tag: Bonfire night

James I to Restoration, 17th Century history, James I, Legal history, Parliamentary Life, Religious history, Social history, Stuart

Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland: the brains behind the Gunpowder Plot?

As we approach Bonfire Night on 5 November, Dr Paul Hunneyball of our Lords 1558-1603 project ponders whether we should be remembering a much more prestigious figure than Guy Fawkes… The Gunpowder Plot is one of the great ‘what ifs’ of British history. For more than four centuries we’ve commemorated the scheme’s failure – but if it had succeeded, and the House of Lords had … Continue reading Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland: the brains behind the Gunpowder Plot?

Paul Hunneyball1 Comment
James I to Restoration, 17th Century history, Conferences, Seminars and Events, Interregnum, Social history, Stuart

The Bonfire Night Coup: power politics at the Putney debates

In March we hosted the final Parliaments, Politics and People Seminar before lockdown forced the temporary closure of the Institute of Historical Research. Today Dr Sean Kelsey, senior research fellow at the University of Buckingham, looks back at his paper discussing the Putney Bonfire Night Coup of 1647. This paper revisits the circumstances surrounding the adjournment, and effective dissolution of the General Council, the representative … Continue reading The Bonfire Night Coup: power politics at the Putney debates

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James I to Restoration, 17th Century history, Legal history, Religious history, Stuart

Catholic peers and the Gunpowder Plot

Remember, remember the fifth of November… Today we hear from Dr Ben Coates of the House of Lords 1604-29 Section about the warning of Catholic Peers before the Gunpowder Plot… On 26 October 1605 the Catholic nobleman William Parker, 5th Lord Monteagle, received an anonymous letter urging him to absent himself from the forthcoming session of Parliament, due to open on 5th November. This missive, … Continue reading Catholic peers and the Gunpowder Plot

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Stuart, 17th Century history, 18th Century history, Georgian, Social history

Bonfire night: Making ‘night like day’

As Bonfire Night approaches, Dr Robin Eagles, Senior Research Fellow in the House of Lords 1660-1832 section takes a look at the use of fireworks in 17th and 18th century celebrations… The recent accident at the fireworks factory in Stafford is a timely reminder of the perils as well as the joys of such entertainments. In the 1690s, the problems associated with celebrations that were … Continue reading Bonfire night: Making ‘night like day’

Robin Eagles1 Comment
Social history, 17th Century history, Stuart

Apprehending Guy Fawkes, with the help of his garters

As the country prepares for Bonfire Night, we take a look at the two men, both MPs, who caught Guy Fawkes with 36 barrels of gunpowder… This last Night the Upper House of Parliament was searched by Sir Tho. Knevett; and one Johnson, Servant to Mr.Thomas Percye, was there apprehended; who had placed Thirty-six Barrels of Gunpowder in the Vault under the House, with a … Continue reading Apprehending Guy Fawkes, with the help of his garters

Emma Peplow1 Comment