Gunpowder, treason and plot will be talk of the town at Bishop’s Stortford History Society lecture

The Gunpowder Plot is the subject of Bishop’s Stortford History Society’s November lecture.

Explosives expert and author Richard Thomas will examine the background of the attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.

His talk on Thursday November 21 will consider the parts Catholic conspirators Guido Fawkes, Robert Catesby, Thomas Percy and 10 others played in the “Powder Treason” as they attempted to assassinate King James I.

The events of early November 1605 will be outlined as well as the flight and fate of the plotters, including the trial and executions of the captives in January 1606.

The same month, the monarch passed a thanksgiving act to celebrate his deliverance. The Observance of 5 November Act 1605 called for a special church service, bonfires and fireworks.

In October, in the second talk of the history society’s new season, John Pullen-Appleby, a retired history lecturer and ancient battle re-enactor, lectured on “Warfare in England in the 10th and 11th Centuries”.

The society’s chair, Tim Howard-Smith, writes: “He gave a quick resumé of events in the 10th century, from Edward the Elder to Æthelred the Unready.

“He spoke about the weapons of the day – seax, swords and spears – the infrequent use of cavalry, and the social order of the day, of theyns and earls and bishops, and how many men each had to provide for the fyrd, the local militia of its day.

“He informed the audience about the use of the shield war, but revealed that naval power was, and had been since Alfred’s day, a superior force.

“The audience was informed about the land area of a hide – 120 acres – and that a hundred, a local area of government, was approximately 100 hides and that a shipsoke could be 300 hides, the amount of land required to provide a fighting ship.

“Mr Pullen-Appleby spoke of the campaigns of Athelstan, whose fleet ravaged the Flemish coast; of Edgar of Mercia and Ælfthryth, his wife; of Edgar’s sons, Edward the Martyr and Æthelred the Unready, who ruled for over 30 years.

“The two battles of Maldon were explained: one an English win and the other an English defeat, although the English army leader, Byrhtnoth, was the hero of the day.

“It was very informative and, as the speaker brought a number of weapons and pieces of armour with him, for many a very interesting talk.”

Bishop’s Stortford History Society was formed in 1955. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at the Windhill Churches Centre, Windhill, and begin at 7.30pm. Annual membership costs £15. Non-members are welcome to all meetings for a £5 fee, payable at the door. For more details see www.bishopsstortfordhistorysociety.org.uk.