The Gunpowder Plot Terror & Faith in 1605 Part Two

By Antonia Fraser (2002)

With a narrative that grips the reader like a detective story, Antonia Fraser brings the characters and events of the Gunpowder Plot to life. Dramatically recreating the conditions and motives that surrounded the fateful night of 5 November 1605, she unravels the tangled web of religion and politics that spawned the plot.

Fact of the Day

The Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt.

Quote of the Day

"I have no political ambitions for myself or my children. "

~ Joseph P. Kennedy

On This Day

303 St George, a possibly Greek, Palestinian, or non-existent Roman soldier, was executed for preaching Christianity. He is the patron saint of Aragon, Catalonia, England, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, and Russia.

1344 Or 1348. The Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry in England, was founded by Edward III.

1616 William Shakespeare, one of the greatest playwrights in English history, died at the age of 52 and within a month of signing his will where he was described as being 'in perfect health'.

1661 Charles II was crowned king of England, Scotland and Ireland, thereby officially restoring the monarchy. He chose St George's Day for his coronation, as did James II and Queen Anne.

1850 Poet William Wordsworth died of pleurisy, aged 80.

1915 Idealistic war poet Rupert Brooke died of an infected mosquito bite on his way to Gallipoli.

1945 Hitler's propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels, and his wife committed suicide in Hitler's Berlin bunker, after killing their six children. Meanwhile, Hitler's private secretary, Martin Bormann, escaped from the bunker. He didn't make it far: his remains were discovered in Berlin in 1972.