BONFIRE NIGHT STORY

In 1605, a man called Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London with barrels of gunpowder placed in the basement. He wanted to kill King James and the king’s leaders.

When James’ mother, Queen Elizabeth 1^st, took the throne of England she made some laws against the Roman Catholics. Guy Fawkes was one of a small group of Catholics who felt that the government was treating Roman Catholics unfairly. They hoped that King James 1st would change the laws, but he didn't.

A group of men led by Robert Gatesby, plotted to kill James. Guy Fawkes was one the group.

The men bought a house next door to the parliament building. The house had a cellar which went under the parliament building. They planned to put gunpowder under the house and blow up parliament and the king.The king and his leaders were to meet on November 5.

Guy Fawkes was given the job to keep watch over the barrels of gunpowder and to light the fuse, but he was discovered before he could blow up parliament. Guy Fawkes was put in prison and tortured until he told them the names of all the people involved in the Gunpowder Plot.

Every year on 5th November, the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, Guy Fawkes is remembered. Throughout England, towns and villages light huge bonfires, let off magnificent fireworks, burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes and celebrate the fact the Parliament and James I were not blown sky high by Guy Fawkes.

As well as burning effigy of Guy Fawkes, the bonfires are used to cook potatoes wrapped in foil and heat up soup for the crowds that come to watch the fireworks.

In main town and cities, torch-lit processions are also popular on this night too.