4. Guy Fawkes Night (2)

 

 

 

 

Remember, Remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, Treason and Plot!
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

 

 

In 1605 Guy Fawkes, a Roman Catholic, and his fellow conspirators attempted to blow up the Protestant King James I and the Houses of Parliament, because they disagreed with the King's policies. They succeeded in storing 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars beneath the Houses of Parliament, planning to blow them up on November 5th. But before Parliament opened that day, the “gunpowder plot”, as it has come to be known, was discovered. Guy Fawkes was guarding barrels of gunpowder in the cellar and was arrested there in the early hours of the morning. Under torture he revealed the names of his colleagues. Guy and his co-conspirators were tried and executed for treason.

Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, bonfires were set alight all around London. Since then the 5th of November has become known as Bonfire Night. The event is celebrated annually in Britain by the burning on bonfires of stuffed figures of Guy Fawkes, usually accompanied by firework displays. These may be large organised events open to the public, or smaller, private gatherings of family and friends held in people’s gardens.“Guy Fawkes Night” is also known as “Bonfire Night” or “Fireworks Night”. In the days leading up to November 5th, children used to take their homemade Guys out onto the streets of their town or village and ask passers-by for a “penny for the Guy”, but this tradition has more or less died out.

Since the gunpowder plot, the reigning King or Queen enters Parliament just once a year for the "State Opening of Parliament". Just before the Opening, it has become the custom for the cellars to be searched by the Yeoman of the Guard.

 

 

The custom of asking for a penny for the Guy 

 

 

Guy Fawkes and his colleagues made an  on the life of the king.

People  figures of Guy Fawkes on bonfires.