While every year on November 5th, the skies of England, Scotland, and Wales light up with fireworks, the origins and significance of Guy Fawkes Night may be unfamiliar to those outside of the UK. Dating back over 400 years, this autumn tradition is also known as Fireworks Night or Bonfire Night, and it holds a significant place in British culture.
Guy Fawkes, or Guido Fawkes, was one of the individuals involved in the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Fawkes, along with his Catholic companions, planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London in an attempt to ignite a Catholic revolution in Protestant England. However, their plot was discovered, and Fawkes was arrested while guarding a cache of gunpowder under the parliament buildings.
Although Fawkes became the face of the failed plot, it was actually Robert Catesby who devised the plan. Fawkes, as an explosives expert, gained notoriety for his role. Along with the other conspirators, Fawkes was imprisoned in the Tower of London, where they were publicly tortured and executed.
After the plot was thwarted, Londoners initiated bonfires as a way to celebrate their safety, and King James I declared November 5th as a day of national commemoration. As the years went by, November 5th became associated with burning effigies, initially representing the Pope and then later replacing him with Guy Fawkes.
Historian James Sharpe explains that the celebrations continued over the centuries due to the law enacted by King James I, which prescribed a religious service of thanksgiving. Civic festivals and later fireworks became part of the tradition. However, religious connotations associated with the day were diminished over time, and the law designating it as a commemorative day was eventually repealed.
Present-day Guy Fawkes Night festivities in the UK have evolved into a secular, multicultural celebration. Fireworks displays have become more popular than bonfires, with many attending community-organized events. The tradition of burning effigies has diminished, but Lewes, a town in southern England, holds annual bonfire celebrations with giant effigies. In recent years, the Lewes Bonfire Society faced criticism for dressing in blackface, leading them to abandon the practice in 2017.
Another small town in the south of England, Ottery St Mary, also has unique Bonfire Night festivities. They parade burning barrels of tar through the streets, a tradition that originated from riotous celebrations carried out by young people.
Traditional food associated with Bonfire Night includes caramel apples, gingerbread cake called parkin, and black peas cooked in vinegar. Sausages roasted on the bonfire, often referred to as “bangers and mash,” are also a cherished treat.
Despite its historical origins rooted in religious conflict, the enduring appeal of Guy Fawkes Night lies in the festive atmosphere, fire, and light it brings to a time of year when people seek cheer. While some elements of the celebrations have changed, the figure of Guy Fawkes remains significant not only in British history but also as an inspiration for anti-establishment protesters worldwide.