Every year on November 5th fireworks and bonfires light the skies over Britain. And it’s all because of one person, Guy Fawkes. Famous for his involvement in the Gunpowder Plot and attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, England.
Guy Fawkes came from the Yorkshire City of York, in the North of England. His parents were both Protestant, but Guy grew up to be a Catholic.
In 1603, Queen Elizabeth I of England passed away. The new king, James I of England began to rule the country in a manner seen to be in favour of the Protestant people. It was this that led to Robert Catesby forming a group of ten Catholic man, including Guy Fawkes, to take some action and attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
Together, they created the Gunpowder Plot. Guy had previously gained military experience so played an important part in executing this plan.
In 1605, they were to blow up the Houses of Parliament, an attempt to kill the King and members of parliament. The group filled a cellar beneath the House of Lords with explosives, unaware that it would be checked at night. Guy Fawkes was caught at the scene, as it him who the others had chosen to light the explosives. The Gunpowder Plot had failed.
The other nine men fled, but eventually each one of them was caught and executed for their act of treason.
Guy Fawkes, was executed in Westminster on 31st January 1606.
Each year Brits still make ‘Guys’ to burn on the bonfires, fireworks are lit, sparklers held in children’s hands. It is customary to eat warming food such as sausages, baked beans and jacket potatoes before heading out into the cold November night. For me, I carry a hip flask of a warm smoky whisky such as the Bowmore Darkest, as I watch communities come together and remember, remember, each fifth of November.
