The fifth of November is Guy Fawkes' Night or Bonfire Night.
This is a British festivity.
The story of Guy Fawkes goes back to the early 1600ïs. During this
period there were religious problems between Protestants and Catholics
in Britain. King James I was a Protestant and he passed severe laws
against Catholics. They were not permitted to have religious services.
A group of 12 Catholics decided to kill the King James I and destroy
the Parliament Building. They planned to blow up The Houses of
Parliament on 5 November 1605, when the King was present. This was
called the Gunpowder Plot.
The leader of the plot was Robert Catesby.
The plotters put 30 barrels of explosives in the
cellar under the Parliament Building.
Guy Fawkes was an expert with explosives. His responsability was to
guard the barrels of explosives and light the fuse on 5 November.
The Kingïs soldiers discovered the plot. Guy Fawkes was immediately
arrested and tortured. The other plotters were found three days later.
Guy Fawkes and the others were hanged.
On the night of 5 November 1605 many people in London were very happy
because the plot was discovered. To celebrate (Level 1
or Level 2) they started bonfires
in the street. Someone made an effigy of Guy Fawkes and burned it.
Every since the British have celebrated Guy Fawkes' Night..
The celebrating of "Bonfire" or "Guy Fawkes' Night" is well established
in England. These days it is an excuse to let off fireworks and have
a good time. Its origins are all but forgotten, although everyone knows
of Guy Fawkes and the rough outline of the story. Any religious
significance is certainly absent these days, except perhaps in Lewes
where 5th Nov is particularly relished.