Most Americans know perfectly well that on 5th November each year we Brits all go slightly barking mad and become pyromaniacs for the night, gathering around bonfires with an effigy atop and letting off enough fireworks to keep the villagers awake until midnight. But just in case you’re not sure why we do it, here’s the potted version…
“Remember, remember, the fifth of November
For gunpowder, treason and plot!
There is surely no reason that gunpowder treason
Should e’er be forgot.”
This is the rhyme we all learned at school, to remind us that our Parliament (and everyone in it including the king) was nearly blown sky-high by Robert Catesby and his allies (including Guy Fawkes) on 5th November 1605, but thankfully the “gunpowder plot” was foiled, the king’s life saved and parliament continued as normal.
So why was there a plot to blow up parliament? Well, as with so many battles, it was mostly a question of religion. England used to be a Catholic country, until King Henry VIII decided to change the rules so he could carry on divorcing wives when he felt like it and appointed himself the head of the Church of England (a Protestant faith). His son, Edward VI was Protestant, then Mary I was Catholic, Elizabeth I was Protestant and so was James I.
As the people were expected to follow the same religion as the monarch, you can see by now everyone was getting pretty confused and frustrated; “am I allowed to attend Mass and cross myself, or will I get thrown in the Tower for doing so?”. And many people (including Robert Catesby) wanted a return to the Catholic faith. hence the “gunpowder plot” was hatched to kill King James I, princes Henry and Charles and parliament all in one go. You have to admit, it was a jolly bold plan.
But what most people don’t realise is that the gunpowder plot was just the first part of a spectacular plan to overthrow the King, the Government and bring in an entirely new regime, one that was all worked out and ready to go. It involved many aristocrats, thousands of soldiers and would have meant a new monarch (who would have been Queen Elizabeth II, had the plot worked).
Robert Catesby recruited many noblemen to his cause, as well as many men to carry out the plot, including (you’ve guessed it)…Guido Fawkes. Fawkes is the main name associated with the plot, as he was responsible for buying and secretly stowing 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar underneath the great chamber of Parliament.
At 2am on 5th November 1605, Guy Fawkes entered the cellar to light the fuse. But someone had warned the King and he was caught and taken to the Tower, later to be hung, drawn and quartered along with his co-conspirators…
So, each year we use old tights (pantyhose), old clothes and a hat to make a “Guy”, who is often paraded around a bit before being put on the bonfire and set alight. After watching his fate, we celebrate by letting off fireworks, drinking mulled wine and feasting on pig-roast (although these days it’s often burgers and hot dogs!).
It’s a spectacular sight, a wonderful atmosphere and as most people attend organised events these days, it’s pretty safe, too.
So remember, remember the fifth of November…or at least drink a glass of mulled wine for us next year! I know many of you are quite fond of our Royal Family; but it could have been SO different.
Author Info - Anna (true bonafide Brit) wandered all over the US whilst she was reporting for the BBC, but now blogs from her mellow stone 17th century farmhouse in the heart of beautiful Blighty. Share her passion for True Englishness at The Anglofile Read more from this author
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Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Anglotopia was started to get us back to the UK for a trip and it did that in 2009. Now, the goal is for Anglotopia to make our dream of living in the UK a reality.
Thank you so much for sharing! One of my many dreams is to be in Britain on Bonfire night! I’ll make it happen one of these days.
My friend commemorated this year by watching V for Vendetta with some of her friends, but we decided that next year we should try to throw a proper Bonfire Night party. Of course in my hometown, the closest thing any of us have to a bonfire is a fire bowl, and you can’t get fireworks in California any time other than the 4th of July, so it might be rather hard to pull off, but we’re going to try anyway.
Thanks for sharing a little of the history. Like you said, I never knew about the larger plan to create a new government – over here, we just hear about the aborted plan to blow up Parliament. Though perhaps someone here can help with how to pronounce “Guy.” I’d heard it was pronounced with a long “e” sound (as in, short for “Guido”), but I don’t want to be wrong.
Hi Robyn,
In France (as you said) it’s pronounced “Gee” with a ‘hard’ G because it’s often short for Guido. But we have Anglicised the name and in England Guy is pronounced “Gye” (rhymes with bye or buy), just as it is in the States.
It would be great for you to have a bonfire night party too, especially if you have British roots, as the Gunpowder plot was BEFORE the Mayflower left for America, so your ancestors would have known about it.
In the UK there are fireworks warehouses that supply fireworks at any time of year (for birthdays etc), or you could try storing them from July to November if you have somewhere safe, dry, cool and LOCKED to keep them, but please warn your neighbours who have pets, so they know it’s going to happen!
Most people these days go to organised events, but if you’re doing you’re own, remember to follow the firework safety code, just as you would do on 4th July.
Then make some mulled wine and hot dogs, fill your fire bowl (you’ll have to make a tiny mini-Guy!) set light and think about the chaos that would have ensued (probably civil war) had Guy Fawkes lit that fuse…
November 5th falls on a Friday next year; ideal for a party. Have fun,
Anna xx