2-979-542 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"Guy Fawkes' Cellar", at Westminster, 1857. 'Engraving of the Cellar, from a sketch made at the time of its removal', [Houses of Parliament, London]. 'Guy Fawkes' Cellar was situated in what is now an open space between the exterior of the south end of Westminster Hall and the Victoria Tower; and, on levelling the foundation, the crowns of the arches were found, as was the case with the crypt of Gerard's Hall, to be above the level of the pavement; and it was, in consequence, found necessary to remove it. Since the time of the Gunpowder Plot it has been customary, a few days before the opening of each Parliament, to make an examination (under the superintendence of "Black Rod") of the various undercrofts below the Houses of Lords and Commons, in order to search for Guys and gunpowder...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.