Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night
| Published: 1st November 2007 08:44 |
The conspirators' intention was to kill King James I and everyone in government; the group were Catholics who wanted to return England to the Catholic faith. However, one of the conspirators had a friend in the Houses of Parliament and sent a letter to him, warning him to stay away from the House on the day the attack was supposed to take place. This letter was intercepted and handed to the king - and hence the plan, known as the "Gunpowder Plot," was foiled.
Portrait of Guido "Guy" Fawkes
Meanwhile, Guy Fawkes and friends had rolled 36 barrels of gunpowder into the cellars of the Houses of Parliament. They were waiting for the king to arrive when guards broke in and arrested them. They were tortured and executed.
Nowadays on Bonfire Night people organise their own parties or attend big organised fireworks displays. They stand around the bonfire, set off fireworks and eat lots of nice warming Bonfire Night foods, like sausages and jacket potatoes. They might also remark...
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot,
We see no reason,
Why gunpowder treason,
Should ever be forgot!
Fireworks that are sent up on Bonfire night have really evocative names: Roman Candles, Mount Vesuvius and Golden Shower. There are also Catherine Wheels that spin and Sparklers that children write their names in the air with.
Children make life-sized effigies of Guy Fawkes which are called Guys, to put onto the bonfires. The English have been burning effigies to mark Guy Fawkes' treason for almost 400 years. The tradition started in 1606, the year after the Gunpowder plot failed. In these first bonfires, called 'bone fires' at the time, it wasn't an effigy of Guy Fawkes that was burned, but one of the Pope. It was not until 1806, two centuries later, that the people started burning effigies of Guy Fawkes instead.
Children make a Guy by stuffing some old clothes with newspapers, craft a head out of material, and either draw a face on it or buy a special cardboard Guy Fawkes mask. For a few days beforehand children are pushing guys around in prams, push chairs and go-carts, saying 'A penny for the guy'. Adults then give them money - how much depends on how good the guy is. The money is then spent on sparklers, or at least it would be, if children were still allowed to buy fireworks in the UK, so it is probably spent on sweets instead.
Enjoy Bonfire Night safely! Please remember the following:
- It is illegal to sell fireworks to children.
- Fireworks are explosive devices that can maim and kill. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
- Never return to a lit firework, even if it does not go off.
- Always have a bucket of water (or a hose) handy.
- Do not allow children to handle fireworks, and keep pets safely indoors.
- For maximum safety, attend an organised fireworks display where professionals will do all the dangerous stuff.
- Enjoy!
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1 Also known as Guido Fawkes.
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