Over 420 years ago today (5 November), the infamous Gunpowder Plot unravelled when Guy Fawkes was caught attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament in order to assassinate King James I.

The conspirators were a group of Catholic gentlemen who were disappointed by the Protestant King James' lack of tolerance and failure to end religious persecution.

If the plan had been successful they hoped to place a Catholic monarch on the throne.

Fawkes and his fellow plotters were all either executed or killed.

Stafford and the county more widely has a special connection to the Gunpowder Plot.

Stephen Littleton (Lyttelton), a relation of the Littletons of Penkridge, was part of a wider group of conspirators.

He owned Holbeche House, where those involved (including Littleton) fled after the failure of the plot.

On 8 November, the authorities caught up with the men and a siege ensued leading to the deaths of several of the conspirators including Robert Catesby, who had masterminded the plot.

Robert Catesby after being found by the authorities (image via public domain via PICRYL)

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Littleton managed to escape and spent two months as a fugitive.

He spent time at Hagley Hall where he was eventually betrayed by a member of staff.

Following his arrest, Littleton was hanged, drawn and quartered.

Header images via public domain via PICRYL/ Colin Park on Geograph