Guy Fawkes Night -Fireworks -Bonfire Night 5th November

Every 5th  November, England  commemorates  the date, which happened  408 years ago when a group of Catholic conspirators gained covert entry to the parliament building in London, with the purpose to blow it up and commit Regicide (the deliberate killing of a monarch) and restore a Catholic monarchy on the throne of England.

The group of 13 involved in what became known as The Gunpowder Plot planned to gain entry to the House of Lords, where the Protestant King James I would meet with his parliament. The plotters secured a lease to rent an undercroft in the building.  They secretly smuggled in barrels of gunpowder.

One of the traitors named  Guy (also known as Guido) Fawkes was placed in charge of  keeping watch over the gunpowder.

However, acting on receipt of an anonymous letter about the plot, in the early hours of 5th November 1605,  guards searched all of the parliament rooms and discovered Fawkes with the barrels of gunpowder. He was arrrested and tortured over the next few days.  He finally confessed and revealed the identities of the other men involved in the treason.

Had the plot succeeded , and the gunpowder detonated, much of the parliament building would have been destroyed and many of those within it killed or injured. Fawkes and the others in the plot lead by Robert Catesby were executed.

Being the first conspirator  found with the gunpowder, Fawkes became synonymous with the failed Gunpowder Plot.

Therefore on each night of November 5th, his effigy was traditionally burned on a bonfire, later centuries  had  fireworks displays with the bonfire too.

A  week or so  before the 5th,  children would make effigies of  Guy and display the effigies in public places. They would ask passers-by for money often saying “A Penny for the Guy” and  proceeds collected would go to buying fireworks ready for Guy Fawkes Night. Their effigies having gathered funding were rewarded by being  burned on a bonfire!

As Guy Fakes Night approached,  children would chant the slogan “Remember, Remember the 5th of November”.

With the increase in popularity of children with adults going Trick or Treating on Halloween 31 October and parent’s increased concerns for child safety, ‘Penny for the Guy’ collections have sadly now largely become a thing of the past.

Nowadays with Health and Safety & pollution regulations etc., bonfires have been  largely banned by local councils.

The terms Guy Fawkes Night  and Bonfire Night have also almost been consigned to history and the 5th November is now referred more commonly to as  Fireworks Night.

Many families still do buy some fireworks to let off in their gardens and organisations hold large scale public firework displays  .

 Guy Fawkes Night -Fireworks -Bonfire Night 5th November

“Penny for the Guy” Children collecting money for fireworks

 

Please to remember
The fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.