World History Minute: The gun powder plot

World History Minute: The gun powder plot
World History Minute: The gun powder plot

World History Minute: The gun powder plot

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In 1603 James I became King of England. James was a Protestant, but the Catholic minority in England thought he might have a more tolerant attitude than his predecessor, Elizabeth I. Still, a few of the more radical Catholics thought they could help the situation along by killing James and putting his young daughter on the throne. They began hatching various schemes. The most famous of these was the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Historian John Schmidt tells us how it unfolded. (Photo: Flickr/Walt Jabsco)