The Marquess of Salisbury and the Duke of Northumberland will symbolically reconcile their ancestorsÕ differences on 5 November in a ceremony marking the 400th anniversary of the plot to blow up Parliament.
The Duke, who descends from the family of plotter Thomas Percy, and the Marquess, who will stand-in for his ancestor Robert Cecil, a minister under James I, will shake hands in a bid to put the past behind them.
Their meeting will naturally take place at Westminster Hall, the place where the plotters were tried.
Powder barrels and an enlarged version of a painting depicting Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators will add a bit off colour to the proceedings.
The commemorations of the extraordinary event will begin with an exhibition at Shakespeare's Globe in London, which tells the story of Guy Fawkes and his gang who planned to assassinate the King of England and Scotland, his nobles, bishops and all members of parliament.
The premiere of a new play about the plot at Tower Hill, London on 5 November, is planned to ensure an explosive ending to the ceremonies.
Waltham Abbey, Essex, Coughton Court, Warwickshire, The Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon and Syon House, Brentford, Middlesex, will also host special exhibitions and events.
Andrew Zilouf
Special Guy Fawkes Anniversary Plotted
Descendants of the gunpowder plotters and loyal Royals have conspired to meet on Guy Fawkes Ð minus the fireworks of course.
