1606 - Trials begin for Guy Fawkes and others who were conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot
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| Guy Fawkes being captured. |
The Gunpowder Plot was a scheme that had been plotted by a group of English Catholics to assassinate James VI & I following their disappointment in failing to secure greater religious toleration under the Protestant King's administration.
Led my Robert Catesby, the Plot involved blowing up the Palace of Westminster on November 5th while the King was in attendance at the State Opening of Parliament, following which, there would a revolt resulting in the placement of James's daughter Elizabeth Stuart as a Catholic monarch.
Fortunately for King James, someone sent a tip-off letter, and on the night before the State Opening, the cellars under the House of Lords were searched. At around midnight, Guy Fawkes was discovered guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder, and was arrested. Had explosives gone off, much of British royal family and the English political elite would have been wiped out. As it was, the plan was thwarted, and the conspirators were put on trial.
A personal event with a slight royal connection
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| The Main Library at the University of Georgia |
Also on this day, there was an event of personal importance for myself that has a bit of royal connection. My alma mater, the University of Georgia was founded in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly in Savannah, Georgia as the first publicly-chartered institution for higher learning the United States. Located in Athens, GA, it ranks among the top public universities in the country. The University is named for the State of Georgia, which in turn was named in honor of King George II of Great Britain and Ireland.
Photo Credit: Chuck via Flickr cc
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