Introduction
The Gunpowder Plot was an attempt to assassinate King James I and his entire government on the 5th of November, 1605. Had it succeeded, it would have ended English sovereignty and made England and Scotland junior partners to the great Catholic states of Europe.
UNDER Elizabeth I and then James I, Roman Catholics in England were fined, imprisoned, or even executed for refusing to acknowledge the English monarch as Head of the Church.
Robert Catesby and his twelve co-conspirators planned to assassinate James, and set his daughter Princess Elizabeth,* aged just nine, on the throne, convinced that the public would welcome reunion with Rome.
The day was set for the 5th of November, 1605. Guy Fawkes smuggled thirty-six barrels of gunpowder into the undercroft beneath the House of Lords, but on the night of the 4th he was discovered, following an anonymous tip-off.
James attached great importance to the affair, and the celebration of the anniversary of his deliverance was enshrined in law until 1859.
It is still celebrated today, on the 5th of November. An effigy of Guy Fawkes is burned on a bonfire, fireworks are let off, and parkin* is shared out — though the origins of ‘Bonfire Night’ are now largely forgotten.
Elizabeth’s significance for British history goes far beyond her unwitting role in the Gunpowder Plot. See The Winter Queen.
A kind of gingerbread. See Delia Smith’s recipe at the Daily Mail.
Précis
A group of Roman Catholics, including Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes, hoped to assassinate King James I and return England to the Catholic religion. The plot to blow up Parliament was foiled by an anonymous tip-off, and the King’s deliverance has been celebrated on the 5th of November ever since. (50 / 60 words)
A group of Roman Catholics, including Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes, hoped to assassinate King James I and return England to the Catholic religion. The plot to blow up Parliament was foiled by an anonymous tip-off, and the King’s deliverance has been celebrated on the 5th of November ever since.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 45 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, because, besides, despite, if, unless, whether, who.
Archive
Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Burn. Head. Law.
2 I. Convince. Off.
3 Although. He. Out.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Homonyms Find in Think and Speak
Each of the words below has more than one possible meaning. Compose your own sentences to show what those different meanings are.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1. Even. 2. Refuse. 3. Fine. 4. Just. 5. Let. 6. Still. 7. Set. 8. Plan. 9. Execute.
Confusables Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that are similar to one another, but not exactly the same. Compose your own sentences to bring out the similarities and differences between them, whether in meaning, grammar or use.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
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