What is Guy Fawkes Night?
Guy Fawkes Night, or Bonfire Night, is an annual event held on the 5th November every year. It commemorates the discovery of the Gunpowder plot in 1605.
The history of Guy Fawkes Night – what is the Gunpowder plot?
The Gunpowder plot was the plan hatched by a man Robert Catesby and a number of co-conspirators, including Thomas Winter, Thomas Percy, John Wright and Guy Fawkes. These men wanted to blow up the Houses of Parliament while the king, James I, his Queen and his eldest son were all inside. The plot was discovered when one of the conspirators wrote to a friend that worked in Parliament, telling him to stay away on November 5th. The friend became suspicious and Guy Fawkes was found in the cellar, guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder.
Why did Guy Fawkes want to blow up the Houses of Parliament?
James I was a Protestant King. Many Roman Catholics, including Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes, were dissatisfied with the way they were treated under his rule. Catholics had to practise religious ceremonies in secret. You could be fined if you didn’t attend Protestant services at church. Catesby, Fawkes and their fellow plotters believed that, if they killed the king and his heir, they could find a way to make England Catholic again.
Guy Fawkes Information
Guy Fawkes converted to Roman Catholicism early and this religious zeal, paired with an appetite for adventure, led him to enlist in the Spanish Army and go to fight in the Netherlands. He was an excellent soldier and his reputation soon made its way back to England.
Back in Britain, Robert Catesby was already plotting with his Catholic connections. However, they knew they needed a military man that wasn’t as well known as them to perform some of the duties. They sent a messenger to the Netherlands to recruit Fawkes, who returned to England to help, despite now knowing the full details of the plot.
It was Guy Fawkes that was found in the cellar with the barrels of gunpowder. This is why, despite the plot initially being the idea of Robert Catesby, it’s Guy Fawkes’ name that’s affiliated with 5th November celebrations.
The Remember, Remember Rhyme
Do you know the 5th November ‘Remember, Remember’ rhyme? Penned in 1626 by John Milton, the first stanza is often used as a refrain on Guy Fawkes Night. Written while Milton was a student at Cambridge University, the poem was originally written in Latin and titled ‘In Quintum Novembris’ (‘On the Fifth of November’)
The first stanza is as follows:
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
How is Guy Fawkes Night celebrated?
In Britain, where the celebration originates, it’s common for Bonfire gatherings to be organised with fireworks displays. Some people create their own firework displays in their back gardens or wave sparklers. Effigies of Guy Fawkes are often burned on the bonfires and communities sometimes organise competitions to see who can make the most impressive Guy. Now, these Guys sometimes come in the shape of humorous figures from popular culture.
Celebrations change depending on locations. Even within the UK, there are different communities that celebrate in different ways. In Sussex, celebrations are big and elaborate, while in Ottery St Mary in Devon, some people set tar barrels alight and carry them on their shoulders. Originally, these barrels were rolled down the street but, over time, people decided to carry them instead. It’s unclear why.
Of course, there are also spectacular events in the British capital. There are huge firework displays at Alexandra Palace, Lambeth Palace and Battersea Park. Guy Fawkes Night celebrations are such a big deal in the UK because, up until 1959, it was illegal NOT to celebrate. The only time people were exempt was during the two World Wars, as huge fireworks displays would give away the location of cities and towns to the enemy.
Guy Fawkes Night celebrations aren’t just limited to the UK, however. Celebrations also take place in New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, St Vincent + the Grenadines and St Kitt + Nevis. Australia did use to host bonfire celebrations but these ceased in the 1970s.
Guy Fawkes Night in New Zealand
Bonfire celebrations in New Zealand are very similar to those in England – bonfires, fireworks, friends, family and food. The major difference is that outdoor celebrations in England require a lot of layers – hats, gloves, scarfs, the works! In New Zealand, November is a very dry, warm month so you’re not going to need to worry about getting chilly.
New Zealanders are encouraged to go to the public fireworks displays in the interests of safety, though it is legal to host your own. Fireworks only go on sale from the 2nd November to the 5th, however, and much be purchased by someone aged 18 or over.
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