The plotters were motivated by religious grievances. They were Catholic and believed that the Protestant king, James I, was oppressing them. They wanted to overthrow the government and restore the Catholic faith in England.
The plotters planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament while the king and his ministers were attending the state opening of Parliament. Fawkes was to light the fuse and then escape by boat.
However, the plot was discovered before it could be carried out. On the night of 4 November, a letter warning of the plot was found in the Catholic Lord Monteagle's house. The government acted quickly and arrested Fawkes and the other plotters.
Fawkes was tortured and confessed to his role in the plot. He was executed, along with the other plotters, on 31 January 1606.
The Gunpowder Plot failed, but it had a significant impact on English history. It led to increased persecution of Catholics and helped to strengthen the power of the monarchy.