BONFIRE NIGHTS

History of the Gunpowder Plot & Guy Fawkes Night

Four hundred years ago, in 1605, a man called Guy Fawkes and a group of plotters attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London with barrels of gunpowder placed in the basement. They wanted to kill King James and the king’s leaders. Houses of Parliament, London Why did Guy Fawkes want to kill King James 1st and the king’s leaders? When Queen Elizabeth 1st took the throne of England she made some laws against the Roman Catholics. Guy Fawkes was one of a small group of Catholics who felt that the government was treating Roman Catholics unfairly. They hoped that King James 1stwould change the laws, but he didn't. Catholics had to practise their religion in secret. There were even fines for people who didn't attend the Protestant church on Sunday or on holy days. James lst passed more laws against the Catholics when he became king. What happened - the Gungpowder Plot A group of men led by Robert Catesby, plotted to kill King James and blow up the Houses of Parliament, the place where the laws that governed England were made. Guy Fawkes was one of a group of men The plot was simple - the next time Parliament was opened by King James l, they would blow up everyone there with gunpowder. The men bought a house next door to the parliament building. The house had a cellar which went under the parliament building. They planned to put gunpowder under the house and blow up parliament and the king. Guy Fawkes Discovered Guy Fawkes was given the job to keep watch over the barrels of gunpowder and to light the fuse. On the morning of 5thNovember, soldiers discovered Guy hidden in the cellar and arrested him. The trail of gunpowder at his feet would never be lit. Guy Fawkes was taken to the Tower of London He was tortured and questioned about the other plotters. To start with he didn't tell the soldiers anything about the plot. But, eventually he started to tell the truth. A Celebration In celebration of his survival, King James ordered that the people of England should have a great bonfire on the night on 5th November. The event is still commemorated annually in England on 5th November by fireworks and burning ‘guys’ (effigies) on bonfires. The searching of the cellars of Parliament before the opening of  Bonfire Night in England Bonfire Night is celebrated all over the UK, however, this page just refers to England, as this is where our students live. Every year on 5th November, the anniversary of theGunpowder Plot, Guy Fawkes is remembered. Throughout England, towns and villages.... light huge bonfires, let off magnificentfireworks, burn an effigy (a homemade model of a man, like a scarecrow) and celebrate the fact the Parliament and James I were not blown sky high by Guy Fawkes. Why do we have Guys and Fireworks on Bonfire Night? The Guy (effigy) is made out of old clothes stuffed with paper or straw. The Guy is a reminder of Guy Fawkes. The fireworks are a reminder of the gunpowder Guy Fawkes hid in the cellar of Parliament. Traditional Bonfire Night Food As well as burning effigy of Guy Fawkes, the bonfires are used to cook potatoes wrapped in foil and to heat upsoup for the crowds that come to watch the fireworks The traditional cakeeaten on bonfire night is Parkin Cake, a sticky cake containing a mix of oatmeal, ginger, treacle and syrup. Other foods include sausages cooked over the flames and marshmallows toasted in the fire. Firework Displays In main town and cities, torch-lit processions are also popular on this night too. The procession leads to where the bonfire and firework displays are. The biggest fireworks display in Kent is the Edenbridge Display. They also have the biggest effigy, a 30ft 'Celebrity Guy'. Penny for the Guy During the days before Bonfire Night, children used to take their home-made guys out on the street and ask for "a penny for the Guy" for fireworks. Children, in some areas, blacken their faces as Guy Fawkes might have done when he plotted to blow up parliament. Flaming Barrels In Ottery St Mary, teams of stalwart men carry flaming tar barrels on their shoulders down the length of the town’s High Street. When one man’s 50-pound barrel gets too hot to handle, another man takes over - then another, and then another, until the flames die out and the barrel crumbles into ashes. Bonfire Night Rhymes The rhymes and chants which accompany the celebration of Bonfire Night are as integral to the custom as the burning of the Guy and the lighting of fireworks. Remember, remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason, why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot. Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent To blow up king and parliament. Three score barrels were laid below To prove old England's overthrow. By God's mercy he was catch'd With a darkened lantern and burning match. So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring. Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king. And what shall we do with him? Burn him! Remember, remember, the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot! A stick or a stake for King James' sake Will you please to give us a faggot If you can't give us one, we'll take two; The better for us and the worse for you! Guy Fawkes, Guy Stick him up on high, Hang him on a lamp post And there let him die. Guy,Guy,Guy, Poke Him in the eye, Put him on the fire And there let him die Burn his body from his head Then you'll say Guy Fawkes is dead Hip, Hip, Hooray! -Folkestone, Opie op.cit. p 281.