Radio Historical Drama : Gunpowder, Treason & Plot
First broadcast by the BBC on 1st November 1980
The Discovery of the Gunpowder Plot and the Taking of Guy Fawkes (c. 1823) by Henry Perronet Briggs. In the Public Domain, courtesy of 'Wikipedia'
At time of writing the Play is available to Listen Here
UPDATE The Play has been removed from Youtube but now available here, Michael Bully 16th October 2022.
'Gunpowder, Treason & Plot; Radio Drama, was part of the 'Saturday Night Theatre' series, written by A.J.Walton, with Michael Spice, Christopher Scott and John Moffat. Produced by Margaret Etall. Said to be influenced by Francis Edwards 'The True Story of the Gunpowder Plot' ( 1969). A description of the play read ....
But what if the legend is based on a deliberate plan to deceive the country and discredit the Catholics? Why Guy himself was a voluntary participant, only on condition that he would reprieved.
The play starts with Guy Fawkes incarcerated in The Tower and dreams fondly of a girl he left behind in Yorkshire as he ventures to fight abroad. The guards wake him for breakfast, and with news that Secretary of State Robert Cecil has arrived to see him. It soon becomes apparent that Fawkes is in cahoots with the authorities, and Cecil labours with Fawkes to forge his infamous 'confession'. Another scene depicts fellow Gunpowder conspirators-Thomas Wintour and Christopher Wright-seeking out Guy Fawkes in a tavern in Flanders at the very start of the reign of James I. By then Fawkes is penniless, bitter and disillusioned, after fighting nine years on the Spanish side against the Dutch Revolt.
Fawkes then returns to England and works under the command of Thomas Percy in placing barrels of earth said to be gunpowder in the famous Westminster vault. Thomas Percy is condescending and mocking Fawkes, he is clearly also working for Robert Cecil.
Thomas Wintour is then locked up in a cell with Fawkes. Wintour has been shot in the shoulder at Holbeche House on 8th November 1605 by the Sheriff's men. He explains that Percy had left a bag of gunpowder by a brazier and attempted to flee Holbeche as the explosion took place, which blinded John Grant and wounded other conspirators. Though Thomas Wintour had been led to believe that all the rebels would be arrested, states that Sheriff Walsh's men opened fire when they tried to surrender. Thomas Percy, Robert Catesby, and the Wright Brothers were shot dead. Thomas Wintour starts to doubt the word of the authorities that they will all be released
Thomas Wintour divulges how Francis Tresham and Robert Catesby, as well as being heavily fined for their participation in the failed 1601 Essex Rebellion, were also 'reserved to her majesty's use' to save their own lives. Thus began the (faked) Gunpowder Treason. And when Thomas Wintour returned to England from his own travels, he got cajoled into joining them, effectively becoming a spy for Cecil, and even luring his brother Robert into their false rebellion.
When Robert is captured, Thomas begins to realise that he had placed Robert's life at risk, and at the trial pleads for leniency for his brother.
As Thomas Wintour and Guy Fawkes are being taken from the Tower to be executed, Thomas asks a surly guard where his brother is, only to be told that Robert has already experienced the full traitor's death the day before. Thomas breaks down and starts to realise that there is unlikely to be a last minute reprieve, whilst Fawkes vainly believes right up to the last minute, a messenger will emerge from the jeering and sneering crowd to announce that he is about to be saved from execution. There is no reprieve.The government's conspiracy dies with the executed conspirators.
VERDICT. Great entertainment value. And worth considering along with Francis Edwards' aforementioned book, helped to start a new line of 'scepticism' about the official narrative of the Gunpowder Plot. Suggesting that the whole conspiracy was launched and manipulated by the authorities. A key weakness is that it is difficult to see why Guy Fawkes was recruited to this false conspiracy if his gunpowder skills were not in fact needed. Particularly recommended for people who are inclined to doubt the 'official' record of the Gunpowder Treason.
Key works of this genre include the following ;
John Gerard 'What Was the Gunpowder Plot? The Traditional Story Tested by Original Evidence' , writing in 1897.
If however, we cannot satisfy ourselves of the truth, it will be munch to ascertain what is false; to convince ourselves that the account of the matter officially supplied and almost universally accepted, is obviously untrue, and that the balance of probability lies heavily against those who invented it, as having been the real plotters, devising and working the scheme for their own ends.
Through to 'The Gunpowder Plot Deceit' by Martyn R. Beardsley in 2018.
I do, though, believe that the official and still widely-believed of the Gunpowder Plot, was cooked up by Cecil, who tampered with confessions and other evidence,who knew about the Plot, at least weeks and probably months before Guy Fawkes was arrested, and who was content to let it run till the last minute for propaganda purposes.
More information on the Play
Other posts from 'A Burnt Ship' about the Gunpowder Treason
The Third Wintour Brother first part of my research into the life of John Wintour, younger half brother to Thomas and Robert Wintour. All three brothers would be executed for their involvement.
Guy Fawkes of the Gunpowder Treason Blog page about the 1841 novel by William Harrison Ainsworth
In Quintum Novembris In search of poetry related to the Gunpowder Treason.
Interview with novelist Tony Morgan
Thanking all visitors to this blog for their own interest. Hope that you all remain safe and well.
Michael Bully , Brighton, 24th October 2021
UPDATE
Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot Facebook ( public group) welcomes new members
New blog launched 2nd February 2023 BleakChesneyWold Charles Dickens & 'dark' 19th century history
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