Thursday 12 November 2009

Guy Fawkes Answers to the Webquest

As it was promised last week, here come the answers to the webquest about Guy Fawkes.
Hope you enjoyed learning about the plot and its characters.
And don't forget to leave your comments about the activity!

Guy Fawkes
Webquest Answers

1 - What happens all over Britain on the night of November 5th?

On the night of November 5th, throughout Britain, people commemorate the capture of Guy Fawkes with bonfires and fireworks, and by burning an effigy of Guy

2 - Who do people commemorate that way?

Guy Fawkes. Britain’s most notorious traitor.

3 - What did Guy Fawkes, together with a group of men, try to do?

They tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

4 - What were English Catholics hoping when Queen Elisabeth I died in 1603?

After Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, English Catholics who had been persecuted under her rule had hoped that her successor, James I, would be more tolerant of their religion.

5 - Why were they disappointed?

As the group worked on the plot, it became clear that innocent people would be hurt or killed in the attack, including some people who even fought for more rights for Catholics. Some of the plotters started having second thoughts.

6 - What would people like Fawkes and his fellow conspirators be called now?

Today they would be known as extremists, or terrorists.

7 - How did they try to put their murderous plan into practice?

To carry out their plan, the conspirators got hold of 36 barrels of gunpowder - and stored them in a cellar, just under the House of Lords.

8 - At what moment did some conspirators start questioning what they were doing?

Yes, they did. Some of them started having second thoughts because it seemed apparent that innocent people would be hurt or killed.

9 - How did one conspirator try to warn a friend of his?

By sending a letter to him. The addressee was Lord Monteagle, a Member of Parliament.

10 - Who was that letter even shown to?

It was even shown to the King, James I.

11 - What happened to Guy Fawkes when the authorities searched the cellar of the parliament?

He was caught, tortured and executed.

12 - Why might the conspirators' plans have failed anyway?

Some have suggested that the gunpowder was so old as to be useless.

13 - What other term is often used to refer to Guy Fawkes Day?

Bonfire Night.
14 - What might some Englishmen be celebrating rather than the traitor's execution?

Some people might be honouring his attempt to do away with the government.

15 - How many conspirators were there altogether?

It was a group of thirteen young men.

16 - Who was their leader?

It was Robert Catesby.

17 - Why did Guy Fawkes become famous even though he wasn't the leader?

Because he was found in the cellar of the Parliament with 36 barrels of gunpowder and was later executed.

18 - Why wasn't Jeremy Tresham executed like all the others?

Because he fell sick and died in prison.

19 - What did the authorities use the conspirators' confessions for?

The government used the Gunpowder Plot to justify further anti-Catholic repression, including executing at least two Jesuits leaders they felt were threatening to their authority.

20 - How were the traitors executed?

All imprisoned plotters were executed publicly in March 1607. They were "hanged, drawn, and quartered"

21 - Why was that method of public execution chosen?

Because authorities hoped it would instil terror in other potential traitors.

22 - Who might the letter have been 'fabricated' by?

The letter warning one of the members of government to stay away from Parliament is believed today to have been fabricated by the king's officials.

23 - What do some historians believe concerning the letter?

Historians suggest that the King's officials already knew about the plot, that one of the plotters in fact revealed the key points of the plot to the authorities.

24 - Which of the traitors is suspected of telling the authorities about their plans?

Francis Tresham

25 - In what year did the tradition of lighting bonfires start?

1605

26 - Whose effigy is sometimes burned along with the guy dummy?

The effigy of Fawkes

27 - How do children collect money? What do they use it for?

Children walk down the street trying to collect money for fireworks and they ask for "a penny for the guy”.

28 - Which town in South East England attracts thousands of visitors for its festivities?

Lewes

29 - Where has the custom spread to?

The custom spread to the British colonies for centuries. It was actively celebrated in New England as "Pope Day" as late as the 18th century. Today, November 5th bonfires still light up in far out places like New Zealand and Newfoundland in Canada.


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