History Extra podcast How the Gunpowder Plot unravelled
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Oct 25, 2025 Historian John Cooper from the University of York sheds light on the dramatic unraveling of the Gunpowder Plot. He explains the significance of the mysterious Monteagle letter, which exposed the conspiracy. Cooper delves into Guy Fawkes's arrest, his interrogation under torture, and how the subsequent trials were used as political propaganda. He highlights the plot's failure as a pivotal moment that helped James VI & I consolidate power, shifting the political landscape and igniting enduring anti-Catholic sentiments.
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Mysterious Warning Unmasked The Plot
- The Monteagle letter exposed the Gunpowder Plot and likely saved many lives by warning a Catholic nobleman to avoid Parliament.
- John Cooper considers Francis Tresham the most probable author, acting from divided loyalties.
Surveillance, Delay, And The Second Search
- Authorities had prior intelligence about Catesby and Winter, yet the full plot remained undetected until the Monteagle letter.
- A second ordered search, reportedly by King James, discovered 36 barrels of gunpowder beneath the House of Lords.
Gunpowder Was Readily Obtainable
- Procuring large quantities of gunpowder was feasible in 1605 due to military stocks, mills, and port trade.
- Catesby and Winter's military experience made acquisition plausible rather than the main obstacle.