Guestling Bradshaw CE Primary School

When Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, English Catholics who had been persecuted under her rule had hoped that her successor, James I, would be more tolerant of their religion. James had a Catholic mother, after all. Unfortunately, he turned out to be no more tolerant than Elizabeth and a number of young men decided that it was time to act.

A small group took shape, under the leadership of Robert Catesby. Catesby felt that violent action was needed. They decided that the thing to do was to blow up the Houses of Parliament. In doing so, they would kill the King and the Members of Parliament who were making life difficult for the Catholics. To carry out their plan, the conspirators got hold of 36 barrels of gunpowder and stored them in a cellar, just under the House of Lords. But as the group worked on the plot, it became clear that innocent people would be hurt or killed in the attack, including people who fought for rights for the Catholics. Some of the plotters started having second thoughts.

One of the group members sent an anonymous letter warning his friend, Lord Monteagle, to stay away from the Parliament on November 5th. The warning letter reached the King, and the King's forces made plans to stop the conspirators. Guy (Guido) Fawkes was found in the cellar of the parliament with the 36 barrels of gunpowder when the authorities stormed it in the early hours of November 5th. He was arrested, tortured and executed.

The tradition of Guy Fawkes related bonfires actually began the very same year as the failed coup. The plot was foiled in the night between the 4th and 5th of November 1605. Once the news had spread, Londoners joyfully lit bonfires to celebrate the safety of their king. Since then, November 5th has become known as Bonfire Night. The event is commemorated every year with fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire.

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

It is not clear if the plan to blow up the Houses of Parliament would have worked even if they had not been betrayed. Some people think that the gunpowder was so old, it wouldn’t have ignited anyway. Since Guy Fawkes was caught before he had chance to try, we'll never know for certain. The Gunpowder Plot struck a chord with the people of England.

In fact, even today, the Queen only enters the Parliament buildings once a year, at the State Opening of Parliament. And prior to the opening, the Yeomen of the Guard search the cellars of the Palace of Westminster.

The extent of the celebrations and the size of the bonfire varies from one community to the next. Lewes, Battle, Rye and now Hastings are famous for their Bonfire Night parades and attract thousands of people each year to participate.

Bonfire night traditions Preparations for Bonfire Night celebrations include making a dummy of Guy Fawkes, which is called the Guy. Children traditionally walked in the streets, carrying the Guy they had made, and asking people for "a penny for the Guy." The children then used the money to buy fireworks for the evening festivities. On the night itself, the Guy is placed on top of the bonfire, which is then set alight; and fireworks are set off. After the fireworks, people traditionally enjoy foods such as baked potatoes, sausages and toffee apples.

Fireworks are dangerous. If you are having a firework display it should be planned to make it safe and enjoyable. Children should never light fireworks and adults should follow the firework code:

Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114.

Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time. 

Read and follow the instructions on each firework, using a torch if necessary.

Light at arm's length, using a taper, and stand well back.

Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.

Never return to a firework once it has been lit.

Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.

Don’t put fireworks in your pocket and never throw them.

Direct rockets well away from spectators.

Never use petrol or paraffin on a bonfire.

Always supervise children around fireworks.

Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.

Never give sparklers to a child under five.

Keep pets indoors.

Make sure that the fire is out and the surroundings are made safe before leaving.