Gunpowder Plot

American  

noun

1. an unsuccessful plot to kill King James I and the assembled Lords and Commons by blowing up Parliament, November 5, 1605, in revenge for the laws against Roman Catholics.

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Gunpowder Plot British  

noun

1. the unsuccessful conspiracy to blow up James I and Parliament at Westminster on Nov 5, 1605 See also Guy Fawkes Day

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Example Sentences

A perennial target of assassins, James survived the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes and confederates hoped to blow up Parliament.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

In a nod to the Gunpowder Plot of the 16th Century, the Yeomen of the Guard will conduct a ceremonial search for explosives.

From BBC • Jul. 13, 2024

After Guy Fawkes's Gunpowder Plot to blow up British Parliament was foiled in 1605, the government declared November 5 a day to celebrate.

From Salon • Oct. 11, 2021

When Gunpowder Plot supporters sought leniency “for Fawkes’ sake” in November 1605, little did they know it would become a maxim of exasperation for generations to come.

From Washington Post • Dec. 10, 2020

It purported to come from five Catholics, who began by unreservedly condemning the Gunpowder Plot as a work abhorred by their co-religionists as much as by any Protestants.

From What was the Gunpowder Plot? The Traditional Story Tested by Original Evidence by Gerard, John