I listen to this today we're bringing you an episode from the short history of archives a short history of the gunpowder plot. More than 400 years since its discovery,

the gunpowder plot remains one of the most famous events in England's history,

a foiled plot to blow up King James the 1st and the Houses of Parliament.

Today on the 5th of November the gunpowder plot is commemorated across England.

Fireworks and bonfires can be found in every town and village.

This episode is read by Paul McGann.

You can continue to hear Paul over on Noisier's real dictators.

We hope you enjoy. New episodes of short history of

we'll be back on Monday. This podcast features scenes of a violent and or graphic nature.

Listener discretion is advised.

It's 10 o'clock on the night of November the 4th, 1605.

Two men are weaving their way through the jumbled mass of buildings and lanes that make up London's Palace of Westminster. Rats dart across the toes of their tall leather boots.

It's cold and they're tired.

But if their suspicions are correct,

the job they're doing might just save England from devastation.

Tomorrow will be the state opening of Parliament,

the ultimate seat of power and judgment in England.

For days, preparations have been underway for the ceremony,

which will be attended by the most powerful

men in the land, lords, judges, clergy, members of the Privy Council, and, most importantly, accompanied by his wife and his sons King James the first himself.

Usually this is a day of celebration but this pair of men aren't hanging banners or polishing silver.

They're on direct orders from the king, holding a loft a lantern each, they descend yet another set of steps.

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