Have you participated in the Guy Fawkes tradition of lighting a bonfire and burning a ceremonial effigy? Do you know who Guy Fawkes was? Do you remember the 5th of November 1605?
Many people in the United Kingdom and former British territories are looking forward to fireworks, parades and bonfires to be held on November 5th in the name of Guy Fawkes. The tradition stems from the events of 1605 and commemorates the foiled conspiracy known as the “Gunpowder Plot” by a group of Roman Catholic proponents. The group led by Warwickshire born Robert Catesby sought to blow up the English Parliament and assassinate King James I and his ministers, who had succeeded Queen Elizabeth I. They had hoped for an end to religious persecution under King James I, but religious freedom for English Catholics had not been granted. The conspirators expected the explosion to result in an uprising of English Catholics against the penal laws.
The plot was intended to be executed on November 5th, which was the state opening of Parliament. 36 barrels of gun powder overlaid with wood were smuggled into the cellar of Parliament to be ignited by Guy (Guido) Fawkes.
The plot was jeopardized when an anonymous letter was sent to William Parker, the 4th Baron Monteagle on October 26th (which may have been sent by Lord Monteagle’s Catholic brother-in-law Francis Tresham). The letter warned him not to attend Parliament on the opening day. The letter was shared with others and led to a search of Westminster Palace on November 4th and the discovery of the gunpowder and Guy Fawkes in the early hours of November 5th.
Fawkes was arrested and tortured until he confessed the names of the other conspirators. He was then sent to the gallows to be hung, drawn and quartered as was the punishment for traitors. However, Fawkes jumped from the gallows and died of a broken neck. The remaining conspirators were arrested and executed or died evading capture.
Today, fireworks represent the explosives that were not ignited in November 5th, 1605. While dummies called “guys” were sacrificed to represent Guy Fawkes’ treason, today’s “guys” may take the form of popular figures like polititians, celebrities and even cartoon characters.
Photo by Anea Knowles