12 Questions
What material were the walls made of in the original House of Lords?
Solid medieval concrete
How many barrels of gunpowder did Sydney determine were needed for the experiment?
36 barrels
What was the team's main challenge in setting the date for the explosion?
Safety concerns and uncertainty of gunpowder supply
What was discussed as Guy Fawkes' potential escape plan?
Walk, boat ride, and horse ride
What did the blast consultants predict would be destroyed during the explosion?
Concrete walls and floorboards
How fast could some planks potentially travel during the explosion?
160 miles per hour
Why was London Bridge a major obstacle for Guy Fawkes' escape?
No ships could pass under it
Which Catholic Lord was suspected of betraying the conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot?
Francis Tresham
What strict security measures were taken when the gunpowder finally arrived?
It was carefully loaded into barrels with strict security measures
How did King James celebrate deliverance from evil after the Gunpowder Plot?
Ordered bond fires to be lit in the city
What did the analysis reveal about the blast's potential impact?
It would have caused extensive damage to Westminster and possibly nationwide impact
What ironic event occurred related to fireworks after the failed Gunpowder Plot?
A large rocket was sold for marking a blast that never happened
Study Notes
- Guy Fawkes and his conspirators planned to blow up the English Parliament in 1605
- Original Palace of Westminster, where the plot was aimed, has been largely rebuilt since that time
- The team seeks to build a replica of the original House of Lords to explore the feasibility of the plot
- The original plans for the House of Lords from the 18th century are discovered, providing detailed blueprints
- The team encounters surprises, as the cellar wasn't a cellar but a ground floor storeroom, and the walls were made of solid medieval concrete
- Construction begins on the undercroft, with 650 tons of concrete being shipped in
- Gunpowder is needed for the experiment, but obtaining an authentic amount proves challenging
- Sydney, an explosives expert, is brought in to help
- After researching the gunpowder used in the 1600s, Sydney determines that 36 barrels are needed
- Sydney attempts to obtain the gunpowder from various sources, eventually turning to a factory in Spain
- The team faces challenges in setting the date for the explosion due to safety concerns and the uncertainty of the gunpowder supply.- Simulation explored worst-case scenario for safety during an experiment.
- Blast consultants predicted concrete walls and floorboards would be destroyed.
- Some planks could travel at 160 miles per hour.
- Virtual blast contained explosion by barrels and walls, with debris escaping through floor.
- Guy Fawkes' potential escape plan discussed, involving walk, boat ride, and horse.
- London Bridge was a major obstacle for Guy Fawkes' escape as no ships could pass under it.
- Shakespeare's time in London, with possible references to Gunpowder Plot in Macbeth.
- Replica House of Lords under construction, with focus on authentic undercroft.
- Forks, plot mastermind, faced challenges with timings and money.
- Decayed gunpowder discovered, potentially impacting blast's effectiveness.
- Francis Tresham, a Catholic Lord, suspected of betraying the conspirators.
- Experiment encountered weather issues, threatening the success of the test.
- King James' throne and key figures identified in chamber, including Archbishop Bancroft and Lord Northampton.
- Final preparations underway, with 15 cameras covering the scene and helicopter overhead.
- Gunpowder finally arrived, carefully loaded into barrels with strict security measures.
- Large explosion occurred, destroying building and test dummies.
- Damage assessment revealed devastating effects, with bodies traveling up to 160 miles per hour.
- Calculations indicated at least 50% of gunpowder didn't need to go off for destruction.
- Guy Fawkes caught with a match and fuse, maintaining alias and alibi.
- Execution order issued, with torture, disembowelment, and beheading as punishment.
- Rest of conspirators arrested or awaiting trial and execution.
- King James ordered bond fires to celebrate deliverance from evil.
- Analysis showed blast would have caused extensive damage to Westminster and possible nationwide impact.
- Irony noted as largest rocket in shop sold for marking a blast that never happened.
Explore a detailed account of a team attempting to reconstruct and detonate the explosives in the House of Lords, mirroring Guy Fawkes' failed Gunpowder Plot. From planning to execution, encounter challenges, historical references, and the potential aftermath of an explosive experiment.
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