Guy Fawkes Night

In 1605 Guy Fawkes, a Roman Catholic, and his fellow conspirators attempted to blow up King James I and the Houses of Parliament, as they disagreed with the King's Protestant policies. They succeeded in storing some 30 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar under the Houses of Parliament, but before Parliament opened on November 5th, the 'gunpowder plot', as it has come to be known, was discovered. Guy Fawkes and his colleagues were executed for treason.

Since then, the 5th of November has been celebrated in England by burning stuffed figures of Guy Fawkes on bonfires, usually accompanied by firework displays. These may be large organised events open to members of 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 'Firework Night'. In the days leading up to the 5th November children traditionally take their home-made Guys out onto the streets of their town or village and ask passers-by for 'a penny for the Guy'.

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