The Gunpowder Plotters' Spotify Wraps

Robert Catesby

As the Mastermind of the gunpowder plot, Robert Catesby was sick of the anti-Catholic laws that did not soften under the new Protestant King James I’s rule after Elizabeth I’s lengthy Protestant reign. Several plots by Catholics had been quelled before the Gunpowder Plot - Catesby said hold my beer. His plan was the closest to succeeding.

The members of the plot, a group of provincial English Catholics, were mainly gentry frustrated at the expensive fines for those whom did not attend Church of England services. The laws also inhibited their careers in sectors such as law and politics because of their faith – they could not swear the Oath of Allegiance required in these fields that recognised the Monarch as the supreme power instead of the Pope.

Catesby tried to garner resources and support from the Catholic Spanish for his plot (though they declined because James I was establishing a juicy treaty with Spain at the time). Thus, I think Robert Catesby would have been partial to some Shakira and Despacito.

I’m sure he’d have loved a bit of anti-establishment theming with Rage Against the Machine. Heads Will Roll by Yeah Yeah Yeahs would’ve been on repeat whilst devising his plot however it was Catesby’s head that rolled in the end (and displayed on top of the House of Commons). 

Who else is a careful planner of vengeance? Why Miss Swift of course.  Catesby would’ve been a Swifty and definitely relates to the song Mastermind.

Lastly, when Catesby found out his Gunpowder plot failed and his top boy Guy Fawkes was captured, he must’ve shed a tear and slapped on some Gracie Abrams: I Love You, I’m Sorry.

Guy Fawkes

As the gunpowder expert employed by Catesby, Guy Fawkes waited with the 36 barrels of gunpowder under the Houses of Parliament ready to set them off. He never got the chance to before he was found, imprisoned, tortured, and executed. 

As a Yorkshireman from York, I’m sure he’d have appreciated some Shed Seven and the Kaiser Chiefs.

Guy Fawkes gave the fake name John Johnson when he was caught which is an infamously rubbish choice so maybe That’s Not My Name by the Ting Tings would be seen on his playlist. Torn Apart by Bastille might be a bit of a tune for our hung, drawn, and quartered Guy.

He was undoubtedly brave in wanting to tear power down at the risk of his own life. I think Shut it Down by BLACKPINK would've been on repeat when getting the gunpowder ready.

Fawkes  probably wondered whether someone betrayed him and the conspirators whilst he was being tortured and someone most likely did (cough* cough* Francis Tresham) so Traitor by Olivia Rodrigo would’ve definitely been on his wrapped too.

Thomas Percy

Thomas Percy was related to one of the richest men in England, the Duke of Northumberland, so was naturally rolling in it himself. He converted to Catholicism and married Catholic Martha Wright, the sister of some conspirators. As a Catholic whose wealth was affected by the new anti-Catholic financial restrictions, he joined Catesby’s band of conspirators and was a key asset in how far they got with the Gunpowder Plot. Percy used the Duke of Northumberland’s name and his own pocket to rent the area under the Houses of Parliament where the gunpowder would have been used. He was shot with the same musket ball that killed Catesby after the plot failed. 

I think Percy would’ve liked a lot of hip hop, rap, and artists that sing about their money. Let’s not forget his soft side too – the risk Percy took in funding the plot would’ve had him listening to I Bet on Losing Dogs by Mitski. He’d also have danced to the likes of Fight for This Love by Cheryl and Love on the Brain by Rihanna because of his religious conversion in the name of love and his subsequent devoted actions for the radical Catholic cause.

Francis Tresham

The conspirator Francis Tresham is widely believed to have written the Monteagle letter that ruined the Gunpowder Plot. A letter telling the Lord Monteagle he shouldn’t go to the opening of Parliament on the 5th of November was handed in to the King, which led to the search under Parliament that saw Fawkes found with his many barrels of gunpowder. Tresham was the most likely to have written it because Monteagle was his brother-in-law. (Although there is a theory that, as a Lord with some Catholic sympathies, Monteagle wrote the letter himself to cover his back after learning of the plot and fearing he’d be accused of complicity in it – but we’ll never know!)

If Tresham did write the letter, he was a bit thick, so I think he wouldn’t expand his music repertoire beyond some generic pop artists like Jess Glynn and maybe some mainstream musicals like Hamilton (disclaimer: of course, not all people who like this music are thick! But he probably was). I think Wild Thoughts by Rihanna is probably appropriate for Tresham too because he didn’t think his decision through at all. He was in a silly goofy mood. 

Francis Tresham 1605 colourised

Tresham was imprisoned so racks up more listening minutes compared to the other conspirators who lost their heads. Doin’ Time by Lana Del Rey feels appropriate here.