History of Gunpowder Plot, Reformation and Wars
England & Spain at War, Murderous Priests & the new Protestant Faith
Nov 2, 2009
Definitely the period prior to the Gunpowder Plot in England was a hotbed of war, intrigue and espionage. The major nations of France, Spain and England had been involved in long and bitter religious wars, due to the development of the Protestant faith and the Reformation of the Church. Whilst Protestants called for major reform of the Catholic Church and refused to bow to leadership from Rome, Catholics fought back by attempting to suppress supporters of the Protestant faith. This dramatic era in history involved the persecution of religious minorities throughout Europe, the murder of a French KIng by a Catholic Priest and the execution of scores of Catholic Priests in England.
Reformation in Europe, Growth of Protestant Faith and War
- The Protestant faith was established across England by King Henry VIII, although his daughter, Mary Queen of Scots, plotted with both the French and the Spanish in attempts to bring back the Catholic faith, from 1553-58. The Church of England was, however, firmly entrenched in England by her sister, the Virgin Queen, Elizabeth 1, who ensured that in her reign England became the greatest Protestant power in Europe.
- Queen Elizabeth provided extensive support to the Protestant uprisings in both France and the Spanish controlled Netherlands throughout her reign, fuelling further the bitterness between Catholics and the growing Protestant faith.
- In France, the growth and popularity of the Protestant faith from the mid 16th Century caused the onset of Civil War.
- Whilst Spain was staunchly Catholic and suppressed any moves by Protestants, also aiding and supporting the French King in the fight against the new faith. However, at this time Spain did control the Netherlands and had to contend with revolts from the 1540s onwards which were led by Protestants.
It's easy to see the tangled web which fragmented Europe was caused by the religious divisions and support given by various nation heads to perpetuate the bitterness, violence and warfare dividing society.
King James VI of Scotland, Crowned King James I of England, 1603
Although King James VI of Scotland was the son of the Catholic Mary Queen of Scots, he was also a Protestant. Upon accession to the English throne England was still at war with Spain although both countries were fatigued and wanted a negotiated end to the war. This was easy enough to achieve as the deaths of Queen Elizabeth of England and King Philip of Spain had created a hiatus and King James managed to negotiate a peace treaty. English Catholics were, however, disappointed that the treaty made no concessions to Catholicism in England.
Indeed, throughout the early years of his reign, any sympathies KIng James may have harboured for Catholics were destroyed by his anxious Protestant advisors, together with the discovery of several minor plots against him. The fact that his wife, Queen Anne of Denmark, converted to Catholicism and his mother Mary had been a Catholic, did cause many British Catholics to hope for greater toleration in England under the reign of King James, however this hope was not realised. With this in mind, it is not hard to understand the origins of the Catholic inspired Gunpowder Plot.
Gunpowder Plot
The Gunpowder Plot was conceived as a means of executing the King and most of the Royal Family, together with members of the British Government, at the State Opening of Parliament on 5th November. The conspirators planned to ensure the safety of one of the daughters of King James I who would presumably have been reared into the Catholic faith.
For greater detail on the Plot see: Guy Fawkes & History of Bonfire Night
Source: UK Parliament
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