This annual event takes place on 5th November known as Guy Fawkes Night, Bonfire Night or Firework Night. It’s the anniversary of an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament – this was called the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Guy Fawkes was member of the Gunpowder plot. Born in 1570 Stonegate, York. He was the second of four children. Sadly, his father passed away when Guy was eight years old.
In October 1591 Guy sold the estate he had inherited off his father and went to fight for Catholic Spain in the Eighty Years war.
In 1604 Fawkes became involved with a group of English Catholics led by Robert Catesby. They plotted to blow up King James I and his government because at the time England was a Protestant country and they wanted England to be Catholic again.
They rented a cellar that extended below the House of Lords building. The barrels of gunpowder were planted, and Fawkes was meant to light the fuse.
With everything in place an anonymous letter was sent to a Lord Monteagle (it is stated he was related to a member of the plotters) warning him to stay away from Parliament for his own safety. Believing it to be a hoax, a servant of Monteagle informed the plotters of this. But Lord Monteagle’s suspicions had been aroused and the letter was shown to King James. The King ordered a thorough search underneath parliament, which was carried out in the early hours 05th November.
Just hours before the attack was due to take place Guy Fawkes and the explosives were found. Torturing Fawkes he gave the names of his co-conspirators. The authorities killed or captured all the plotters and put the survivors on trial. They were all sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered. On 31st January 1606, seconds before the start of his execution, a weakened Fawkes jumped or slipped from the ladder whilst climbing to the gallows, breaking his neck and dying – possibly an accident due to his weakness, or the opportunity of a quick death. Either way it resulted in his death. However, the latter part of his sentence was still carried out.
In 1606 Parliament established 5th November as a day of thanksgiving and encouraged the people to light bonfires and burn effigies in celebration of the failed assassination of the King.
Today we still celebrate Bonfire Night with fireworks and bonfires with a guy sat on top.
For some it may not be for the historical reasons but just the fact it is a spectacular sight to see the sky lit up with colours.
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