Gunpowder Plot

An unsuccessful plot to kill King James I and the assembled Lords

andCommons by blowing up Parliament, November 5, 1605, in rev
engefor the laws against Roman Catholics.

Guy Fawkes Night

Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Firework Night,
is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in Great Britain. Its
history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of
the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed
beneath the House of Lords. Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the
attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London, and months later the introduction
of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving
for the plot's failure.

What was the Gunpowder Plot?

Guy (Guido) Fawkes led the Gunpowder plot in 1605. It was a plan to blow up King
James I and his government. Fawkes and his group put 36 barrels of gunpowder in
cellars under the Houses of Parliament in London, ready to set off a massive explosion.
One member of the group sent a letter to his friend who worked in Parliament, warning
him to stay away on November 5. The King's supporters got hold of the letter and the
plot was rumbled! Guards broke into the cellars where the gunpowder plotters were
waiting. They were arrested, tortured and executed. The Gunpowder Plot was about
religion. England was a Protestant country, and the plotters were Catholic. The group
wanted to return England to the Catholic faith. They thought they could do this by killing
King James I and his ministers.

How do they celebrate Guy Fawkes Day?

They celebrate Guy Fawkes Day by lighting large bonfires and setting off fireworks.
The celebrations are also called Bonfire Night. People may go to organized fireworks
displays or have smaller parties in their gardens. Fireworks are a small part of the
celebration and although the event is on the 5th of November it is not unusual hear
fireworks through October too. Another way of making the day, is by the making of the
Guy, a Guy is a homemade dummy that is usually made to resemble Guy Fawkes
himself. It used to be commonplace to see children with their guys asking for many by
shouting ''penny for the guy'' but this tradition is not as popular in recent years. The
guys are thrown onto the bonfires and burnt.

Why did people in the UK first start to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day?

The celebrations of Guy Fawkes Day began because the government in 1605 enforced
a public day of celebration. The public had no choice but to light bonfires and celebrate
the failure of the plot.

Food
Warming food and drink is as essential to a great Bonfire Night as rockets and
bangers. It's not just that it's much more enjoyable watching fireworks when your chilly
hands are clasped around a hot bowl of food; there's something almost childishly exciting
about eating and drinking outside in the dark anyway. Luckily for the cook who doesn't
want to miss any of the fun, you don't need to attempt any fireworks with the cuisine.
Simple, hearty, hot food that's easy to eat standing up and doesn't need a knife and fork
is what's required. Sausages and flapjacks are traditional Bonfire Night favorites;
but here's a delicious twist on a traditional sausage casserole, which means you can eat
it with a spoon. And a little spicy heat always goes down well when you're eating al fresco
in wintertime, which is why I've added warming spices and chilly to these recipes -
even the tortilla chips have a fiery kick. Wash it all down with a warming glass of
my apple and spice vin chaud, and you'll be proofed against anything the weather dishes
out.