2.3.1
Key Individuals
Robert Catesby and the Gunpowder Plotters
Robert Catesby and the Gunpowder Plotters
Robert Catesby and the Gunpowder Plotters committed Treason attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.
![Illustrative background for James I](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/20f36b99-c356-4d8b-9348-f4d632e357aa/james%20i,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for James I ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/20f36b99-c356-4d8b-9348-f4d632e357aa/james%20i,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
James I
James I
- James I became King following the death of Elizabeth I in 1603.
- Many Catholics hoped that they would be able to continue to worship freely, but there were members of James’ government that felt strongly anti-catholic.
- Laws were tightened and life for Catholics became difficult as these new rules were enforced harshly.
![Illustrative background for Robert Catesby](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/d2ab555f-2655-4e7c-824f-80e1f7501476/uk-parliament-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Robert Catesby ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/d2ab555f-2655-4e7c-824f-80e1f7501476/uk-parliament-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Robert Catesby
Robert Catesby
- Robert Catesby created a plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament, kill King James I and replace him with a Catholic monarch.
![Illustrative background for The plotters](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/bb108e55-9149-48d0-9078-56517f767627/letter-old,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for The plotters ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/bb108e55-9149-48d0-9078-56517f767627/letter-old,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
The plotters
The plotters
- In total 13 plotters, including Guy Fawkes filled the basement under the Houses of Parliament with 36 barrels of gunpowder in order to complete their plan.
- However, an anonymous letter was sent to a member of parliament, Lord Monteagle warning him not to attend the state opening of parliament in the coming weeks.
![Illustrative background for Foiling the plot](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/445ab4b0-a69b-4dd6-9d26-3bb7a0f8d99f/plotting-plot-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Foiling the plot ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/445ab4b0-a69b-4dd6-9d26-3bb7a0f8d99f/plotting-plot-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Foiling the plot
Foiling the plot
- The basement beneath Parliament was searched and Fawkes was arrested and tortured until he revealed the names of his fellow conspirators.
![Illustrative background for Punishing the plotters](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/f37dcf1f-b385-47db-8b8d-02e1a1bbd3a4/noose,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
![Illustrative background for Punishing the plotters ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-04/f37dcf1f-b385-47db-8b8d-02e1a1bbd3a4/noose,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Punishing the plotters
Punishing the plotters
- The other plotters escaped but government soldiers tracked them down further north.
- A number of the group were killed and the others returned to London for trial and were executed.
- The plotters were hanged, drawn and quartered, the punishment for Treason.
- This severe punishment was designed to send a clear message to others.
Matthew Hopkins
Matthew Hopkins
Matthew Hopkins led the witch-hunts of 1645-1647.
![Illustrative background for Witchcraft](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/4cbc7d49-9259-46b0-931d-eb86358d75e1/Witch-Witchcraft-Cauldron,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Witchcraft ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/4cbc7d49-9259-46b0-931d-eb86358d75e1/Witch-Witchcraft-Cauldron,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Witchcraft
Witchcraft
- During the early modern period, witchcraft became a serious crime.
- During the period of 1645-47, there was an unusual rise in the number of accusations made against witches.
- One of the causal factors was Matthew Hopkins.
![Illustrative background for Hopkins in East Anglia](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/85edb834-8982-48e9-8260-574fcaa82be2/Witch-Trials-Salem-Witches-Magic-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Hopkins in East Anglia ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/85edb834-8982-48e9-8260-574fcaa82be2/Witch-Trials-Salem-Witches-Magic-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Hopkins in East Anglia
Hopkins in East Anglia
- Hopkins began searching areas of East Anglia for witches, finding and naming 36 women. He proceeded to collect evidence against them.
- Many were charged with using harmful magic against their neighbours, resulting in harm to animals or poor crop growth.
![Illustrative background for Torturing witches](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/64404879-f46a-4a07-9d1f-78551020902a/torture-chamber-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Torturing witches ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/64404879-f46a-4a07-9d1f-78551020902a/torture-chamber-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Torturing witches
Torturing witches
- The suspects were often kept awake all night in order to exhaust them and obtain a confession.
- Sometimes they were made to remain standing and other times they were forced to move around continuously.
![Illustrative background for Familiars](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/17112315-22f3-47dc-abca-914628dba306/cat-dream-sleep-rest-lazy-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Familiars ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/17112315-22f3-47dc-abca-914628dba306/cat-dream-sleep-rest-lazy-,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Familiars
Familiars
- If there was an animal found with the accused Hopkins claimed that was their ‘familiar’.
- A familiar was considered to have been created by the Devil and worked for the witch.
- The familiar then sucked the blood of the witch through any scars, spots, or birthmarks on the witch's body.
![Illustrative background for Witchcraft accusations](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/35dcca53-c058-47a7-ad0b-1d251d71ee78/scold-hand-finger-point-,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
![Illustrative background for Witchcraft accusations ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2019-01/35dcca53-c058-47a7-ad0b-1d251d71ee78/scold-hand-finger-point-,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Witchcraft accusations
Witchcraft accusations
- The increasing number of accusations by Hopkins led to fear of witches spreading and other villages called upon Hopkins to come and remove them of witches too. Hopkins, of course, was making quite a lot of money as a result.
- The majority of accusations were made against women, but there are cases of men being ‘swum’ as witches too.
- A local vicar was accused based on the fact that ‘Devil Marks’ were found in his mouth.
- It would be possible that these were simply mouth ulcers, which was a sign of poor diet.
![Illustrative background for Hopkins disappearance](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/38c0e257-0150-4a56-b74b-9cc7e2910916/question-mark-1872634_1920,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
![Illustrative background for Hopkins disappearance ?? "content](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/38c0e257-0150-4a56-b74b-9cc7e2910916/question-mark-1872634_1920,h_400,q_80,w_640.jpg)
Hopkins disappearance
Hopkins disappearance
- Hopkins is thought to have died in 1647. After this date, he was never seen again.
- The cases of witchcraft in East Anglia reduced as a result.
1Medieval England, 1000-1500
1.1Changing Definition of Crime in Medieval England
1.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
1.3Case Studies From 1000-1500
2Early Modern England, 1500-1700
2.1Changing Definitions of Crime
2.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
2.3Case Studies From 1500-1700
318th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Changing Definition of Crime in Industrial Britain
3.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
3.3Case Studies From 1700-1900
4Modern Britain, 1900-Present
4.1Changing Definition of Crime in Modern Britain
4.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
5Whitechapel Local Study
5.1The Geographical Area & Living Conditions
5.2The People of Whitechapel
Jump to other topics
1Medieval England, 1000-1500
1.1Changing Definition of Crime in Medieval England
1.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
1.3Case Studies From 1000-1500
2Early Modern England, 1500-1700
2.1Changing Definitions of Crime
2.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
2.3Case Studies From 1500-1700
318th & 19th Century Britain
3.1Changing Definition of Crime in Industrial Britain
3.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
3.3Case Studies From 1700-1900
4Modern Britain, 1900-Present
4.1Changing Definition of Crime in Modern Britain
4.2Nature of Law Enforcement & Punishment
5Whitechapel Local Study
5.1The Geographical Area & Living Conditions
5.2The People of Whitechapel
![Go student ad image](/en-GB/revision-notes/_next/image?url=%2Fen-GB%2Frevision-notes%2Fimages%2Fgo-student-uk-ad.jpg&w=640&q=100)
Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring
Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home
Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs
30+ school subjects covered