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CHAPTER THREE

Guy Fowkes’ Night

The fifth of November is Guy Fawkes’ Night or Bonfire Night. This is a British festivity.

The story of Guy Fawkes goes back to the early 1600’s. During this period there were religious problems between Protestants and Catholics in Britain. King James I was a Protestant and he passed severe laws against Catholics. They were not permitted to have religious services.

A group of 12 Catholics decided to kill King James First and destroy the Parliament Building! They planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament on 5 November 1605, when the King was present. This was called the Gunpowder Plot.

The leader of the plot was Robert Catesby. The plotters put 30 barrels of explosives in the cellars under the Parliament Building.

Guy Fawkes was an expert with explosives. His responsibility was to guard the barrels of explosives and light the fuse on 5 November.

The King’s soldiers discovered the plot! Guy Fawkes was immediately arrested and tortured. The other plotters were found three days later. Guy Fawkes and the others were hanged.

On the night of 5 November 1605 many people in London were happy because the plot was discovered. To celebrate they started bonfires in the street. Someone made an effigy of Guy Fawkes and burned it.

Ever since that day the British have celebrated Guy Fawkes’ Night. Today young people in Britain make a Guy with old clothes and fill him with newspaper. Then they go around the streets with the Guy and ask for ‘a penny for the Guy?’ With this money they buy fireworks.

On the night of 5 November there are fireworks and big bonfires to burn the Guy. Some people have bonfires in their back gardens. Young people love the noise, excitement and colourful fireworks.

On this night they eat toffee apples.

In Lewes, Sussex, there is a big public festival on Guy Fawkes’ Night. People dress in historic costumes. The Guy is burned on top of a hill on an enormous bonfire. There are also brilliant fireworks.

Here is a rhyme about Guy Fawkes:

Remember, remember The fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder and treason Should ever be forgot.