On the 5th of November every year, people in the UK celebrate an event called Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Night. Large fires are lit, and impressive firework displays happen all around the country.
On the 5th November 1605, a group of men attempted to assassinate King James the First by destroying the Houses of Parliament with barrels of gunpowder hidden in the under croft of the House of Lords. The barrels were discovered and The Gunpowder Plot failed, with Guy Fawkes found guarding the explosives. He was arrested with other members of the gang before being put on trial and executed.
Over 400 hundred years, the festival to celebrate the failure of the plot has become more of a festival to make a large fire called a bonfire, and to enjoy spectacular firework displays. Some old traditions remain, such as making a dummy called a “Guy,” named after Guy Fawkes, made from old clothes stuffed with either straw or paper, which is placed on the fire.
Some towns hold parades to celebrate, with the most famous being the town of Lewes, where thousands of people line the streets to watch up to 5000 people march though town with burning barrels, fireworks and Guys.
Many folk songs were written, such as:
Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ‘twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys
God save the King!
Do you celebrate any similar festivals?
Written by Rob Darlington at The Harrogate International Academy
