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James I and the Gunpowder Plot
King James I was an unpleasant man who was hated and distrusted by many people. This is the story of his reign, and of the famous plot which was almost successful in removing him.
- GenresHistory
52 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1967
15 people want to read
About the author
L. Du Garde Peach
78 books13 followersLawrence du Garde Peach was an English author and writer of plays for radio, stage and screen. Today he may be best remembered as the author of over 30 books for Ladybird's Adventure from History series of nonfiction children's books, published from 1957 until his death, which was the largest series Ladybird ever produced, and remained in print until 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 5, 2019
Ladybird history books are social history at it's best, from; I would estimate ages 8 to 14 for school use of simply to enjoy. They bring history alive for children, and are filled with fascinating information. As well as bringing alive an animated, exciting past, they also show how events of the past, are with us today, in so many fascinating ways.
James I and the Gunpowder Plot is written by L Du Garde Peach and illustrated by John Kenney. It tells the story of King James I, an unpleasant man, who was hated and despised by many people, and the famous plot by Catholics, which was almost successful in removing him, and which is commemorated in English speaking countries every year on the 5 November - Guy Fox Day.
It was also the reign of James I that saw the Pilgrim Fathers, persecuted Puritans from England, sailed the Mayflower to settle in America, as well as the translation in England of the famous authorized King James edition of the Bible.
James I and the Gunpowder Plot is written by L Du Garde Peach and illustrated by John Kenney. It tells the story of King James I, an unpleasant man, who was hated and despised by many people, and the famous plot by Catholics, which was almost successful in removing him, and which is commemorated in English speaking countries every year on the 5 November - Guy Fox Day.
It was also the reign of James I that saw the Pilgrim Fathers, persecuted Puritans from England, sailed the Mayflower to settle in America, as well as the translation in England of the famous authorized King James edition of the Bible.
October 14, 2020
On the day that the vote on the Scotland issue is being taken, what an appropriate time to read a book about a Scottish King who became King of England but who was hated by the English and who felt himself to be in a foreign country!
James, who as James VI had ruled Scotland for 36 years, having been crowned when he was only one was not a well-liked King when he moved south of the border to become the first of the Stuart dynasty. The author informs us, 'He had journeyed from a very poor. troubled country through rich peaceful England, where farms flourished on every side, to the prosperous City of London. He had never imagined such wealth; it was for James a rich inheritance indeed.' In addition he fuelled the religious debate regarding Catholics and Protestants.
He was disliked so much that plotters, a group of Catholic gentlemen, set about finding a way in which to get rid of him. The leader was Robert Catesby and one of his cohorts was a certain Guido, known as Guy, Fawkes. They rented a cellar underneath the House of Lords and they piled barrels of gunpowder in it. Fawkes was the man who would set it all off when the House was opened once again.
It was scheduled for 7 February, then put back to 3 October and finally moved to 5 November; imagine we could have been having bonfire night on either of those earlier dates; how unreal would that seem now we are accustomed to 5 November! But by the time the due date arrived, word of the plot had been leaked and thus Fawkes was caught in the act, or more accurately, just before the act. The plot had failed.
The other conspirators were tracked down once Fawkes was forced to talk and, after a fierce fight, in which Catesby was killed, the others were captured and subsequently executed. The exception was Francis Tresham who was sent to the Tower where he later died, many said of poisoning.
So the unpopular James continued to work for the union of the two countries and ruled until his death in 1626. How much longer the union will last we know not as we await the result of the referendum shortly. James VI of Scotland James I of England will no doubt be wondering and possibly, depending on the result, turning in his grave!
As usual these Ladybird books are jolly good reads and most informative for there is plenty of other background to the events of the early 17th century within the covers of this entertaining book.
James, who as James VI had ruled Scotland for 36 years, having been crowned when he was only one was not a well-liked King when he moved south of the border to become the first of the Stuart dynasty. The author informs us, 'He had journeyed from a very poor. troubled country through rich peaceful England, where farms flourished on every side, to the prosperous City of London. He had never imagined such wealth; it was for James a rich inheritance indeed.' In addition he fuelled the religious debate regarding Catholics and Protestants.
He was disliked so much that plotters, a group of Catholic gentlemen, set about finding a way in which to get rid of him. The leader was Robert Catesby and one of his cohorts was a certain Guido, known as Guy, Fawkes. They rented a cellar underneath the House of Lords and they piled barrels of gunpowder in it. Fawkes was the man who would set it all off when the House was opened once again.
It was scheduled for 7 February, then put back to 3 October and finally moved to 5 November; imagine we could have been having bonfire night on either of those earlier dates; how unreal would that seem now we are accustomed to 5 November! But by the time the due date arrived, word of the plot had been leaked and thus Fawkes was caught in the act, or more accurately, just before the act. The plot had failed.
The other conspirators were tracked down once Fawkes was forced to talk and, after a fierce fight, in which Catesby was killed, the others were captured and subsequently executed. The exception was Francis Tresham who was sent to the Tower where he later died, many said of poisoning.
So the unpopular James continued to work for the union of the two countries and ruled until his death in 1626. How much longer the union will last we know not as we await the result of the referendum shortly. James VI of Scotland James I of England will no doubt be wondering and possibly, depending on the result, turning in his grave!
As usual these Ladybird books are jolly good reads and most informative for there is plenty of other background to the events of the early 17th century within the covers of this entertaining book.
October 14, 2020
L du Garde Peach, as ever, does not hold back from conveying his views to his young readers 😆 - not only was James 1 an ‘unpleasant man who was hated and distrusted by many people’, but he also sums up Guy Fawkes as ‘ a brave man and a gentleman, a faithful friend to the limit of endurance ...”.
I learnt some things here, and love the vivid illustrations by John Kenney.
My school friend Joanna lived in a very old house with a priest hole - very atmospheric, but I was more interested at the time in the Arab horses her father bred!
I learnt some things here, and love the vivid illustrations by John Kenney.
My school friend Joanna lived in a very old house with a priest hole - very atmospheric, but I was more interested at the time in the Arab horses her father bred!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews