These exuberant crowds celebrating the uncovering of the plot to blow up Parliament in November 16051 were probably unaware of the full extent of the Tower of London's involvement. They knew the Tower of London as a well-established visitor attraction and the colourful tales of historical figures imprisoned within its walls were becoming increasingly well known. They probably knew that Guy Fawkes (pseudonym 'John Johnson') the explosives 'expert' in the conspiracy, had been imprisoned there and tortured. However, they were probably unaware that his gunpowder also ended up in the Tower. The official receipt for its deposit in "His Majesty's store within the office of the Ordnance" at the Tower of London notes it was "laid and placed for the blowing up of the said house [Parliament] and the destruction of the King's Majesty, the nobility, and commonality there assembled". Furthermore, the powder was officially classified as "decayed", suggesting that it may not have been as effective as planned. Had the powder separated into its constituent parts - always a risk if stored improperly or not corned - then it may simply have failed to ignite. Was it truly damaged, or might officialdom be seeking to downplay the threat to the country having successfully neutralised it?
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