Who organized the Gunpowder Plot that Bonfire Night commemorates?

Robert Catesby organized the Gunpowder Plot that Bonfire Night commemorates.

Catesby was an English Catholic from a wealthy Warwickshire family. After becoming involved in earlier Catholic resistance, he developed the plan to destroy the House of Lords during the State Opening of Parliament. His objective was not simply to kill James I, but to trigger a revolt and install a Catholic regime.

Catesby recruited experienced conspirators, including Thomas Wintour, Thomas Percy, John Wright and Guy Fawkes. Fawkes had military and explosives experience, so he was given the task of guarding and igniting the gunpowder. Catesby remained outside London while Fawkes watched the cellar.

The conspiracy unraveled after an anonymous warning letter was sent to William Parker, Lord Monteagle. Catesby fled with surviving plotters and was killed at Holbeche House in Staffordshire on 8 November 1605. Fawkes became the public symbol, but Catesby was the plot’s principal organizer.