Light up November 5th with its fascinating history

There’s more to Bonfire Night than fireworks. Former teacher Catherine Lynch of education resource experts
PlanBee says, why not enhance your children’s enjoyment of 5th November by sharing some of its history.

What does Bonfire Night commemorate?
It marks the day in 1605 when Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

Who was Guy Fawkes?
Also known as Guido Fawkes, Guy Fawkes was born and educated in York during the reign of Elizabeth l, a Protestant monarch. Many Catholics, who were regarded as enemies of the state, were subjected to torture, imprisonment and execution. Her successor, King James I, was more moderate but many Catholics remained unhappy that they weren’t permitted to practise their religion at home in peace.

At the age of eight, Fawkes’ father died and his mother married a Catholic. Fawkes converted to Catholicism and went to Catholic Spain to fight in the war against the Protestant Dutch reformers (the Eighty Years War). In Spain, Fawkes tried to get support for a Catholic rebellion in England, but he was unsuccessful. He met Thomas Wintour who, back in England, introduced him to Robert Catesby. Catesby planned to assassinate King James I because he wanted England to have a Catholic monarch.

The plotters
Catesby, Wintour and Fawkes were joined by others in their plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament during the state opening of Parliament. Fawkes would light the fuse, escape across the river Thames and make his way to Europe. However, on 26 October an anonymous letter was sent to William Parker, Lord Monteagle, alerting him to the plot. On 5 November 1605, Fawkes was discovered underneath the Houses of Parliament guarding the gunpowder. He was arrested and tortured.
The aftermath

On 27 January, Fawkes and eight of the plotters stood trial. The jury found them all guilty and the men were killed on 31 January 1606.

For years, the failed Gunpowder Plot was marked by bonfires, special sermons and public events such as the ringing of church bells. An Act of Parliament named 5 November as a day of thanksgiving for the “joyful day of deliverance”. This act remained in force until 1859. Over time, Bonfire Night has become the more commercial celebration we have today that includes firework displays, funfairs and hot food such as jacket potatoes.

Five key facts
1. Guy Fawkes was born on 13th April 1570 and died on 31st January 1606.
2. Guy Fawkes was a Catholic and didn’t think a Protestant should be King.
3. The Eighty Years’ War was also called the Dutch War of Independence.
4. There were 13 members of the Gunpowder Plot: Robert Catesby, Thomas Wintour, Robert Wintour, John Wright, Christopher Wright, Thomas Percy, Guy Fawkes, Robert Keyes, Thomas Bates, John Grant, Ambrose Rookwood, Sir Everad Digby and Francis Tresham.
5. Fawkes was found with 36 barrels of gunpowder – enough to reduce the Houses of Parliament to rubble.