Bonfire Night

November 5th

Remember, remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot. I see no reason, why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot.

November

History Nearly four hundred years ago, in 1605, a man called Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London with barrels of gunpowder placed in the basement. He wanted to kill King James I and the king’s leaders.

Why did Guy Fawkes want kill King James I and the king’s leaders? When Queen Elizabeth 1st took the throne of she made some laws against the Roman Catholics. Guy Fawkes was one of a small group of Catholics who felt that the government was treating Roman Catholics unfairly. They had hoped that the next King James 1st, would change the the laws but he didn't.

What happened? A group of men led by Robert Gatsby, plotted kill James. Guy Fawkes was one the group.

The men bought a house next door to the parliament house. The house had a cellar which went under the parliament building. They planned to put gunpowder under the house and blow up parliament and the king.

The king and his leaders were to meet on November 5.

Guy Fawkes was given the job to keep watch over the barrels of gunpowder and to light the fuse, but he was discovered before he could blow up parliament. Guy Fawkes was put in prison and tortured until he told them the names of all the people involved in the .

What do we do in England on November 5th? Every year on 5th November, the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, Guy Fawkes is remembered. Through out England, towns and villages light huge bonfires, let off magnificent fireworks, burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes (a figure made out of old clothes and newspaper called a 'guy') and celebrates the fact the Parliament and James I were not blown sky high by Guy Fawkes.

As well as burning effigy of Guy Fawkes (guys), the bonfires are used to cook potatoes wrapped in foil and heat up soup for the crowds that come to watch the fireworks.

In main town and cities, torch-lit processions are also popular on this night too.

(Edenbridge Bonfire Society )

During the days before Bonfire Night, children used to take their home-made guys out on the street and ask for "a penny for the Guy" for fireworks.

Also children, in some areas, blacken their faces as Guy Fawkes might of did when he plotted to blow up parliament.

In Ottery St Mary , teams of stalwart men carry flaming tar barrels on their shoulders down the length of the town’s High Street. When one man’s 50-pound barrel gets too hot to handle, another man takes over - then another, and then another, until the flames die out and the barrel crumbles into ashes.

There are many rhymes associated with the Gunpowder Plot.

Remember, remember the fifth of November Rumour, rumour, pump and derry, Gunpowder, treason and plot. Prick his heart and burn his body, I see no reason, why gunpowder treason And send his soul to Purgatory. Should ever be forgot.

Remember, remember, the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot! A stick or a stake for King James' sake Will you please to give us a faggot If you can't give us one, we'll take two; The better for us and the worse for you!