In this episode of Our Fake History, the host, Sebastian Major, concludes a two-part series by exploring the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and its evolving historical interpretations. The episode begins with a dramatic reading from the play "Guido Fox, or The Prophetess of Ordsall Cave," illustrating how Guy Fawkes was reimagined as a proto-socialist in the 19th century. The host delves into the historical context, religious tensions, and key figures of the plot, questioning the official narrative and exploring conspiracy theories suggesting the plot was a false flag operation orchestrated by powerful Protestant ministers. Ultimately, the host argues that while the plot itself was not an inside job, the authorities likely knew about it and manipulated its endgame, particularly the framing of the Jesuits. The episode concludes by tracing the transformation of Bonfire Night from a celebration of divine protection of the king to a rowdy, working-class expression of resistance against authority, with Guy Fawkes becoming a symbol of anarchic anonymity.
