“Remember, remember the fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason, why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot.”

This is a rhyme popular in England which refers to Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.

Who is Guy Fawkes and what is the Gunpowder Plot?

In 1605, when King James I was on the throne of England, many Catholics turned against the king. And some of them under the leadership of Sir Robert Catesby hatched a plot. They planned to blow up the King and the Parliament. And Guy Fawkes (pseudonym of John Johnson) hid in a rented storeroom underneath the Parliament with almost 36 barrels of gunpowder. Their plan was to be carried out the next day when the Parliament met. The stored gunpowder had the potential to cause much destruction. Many people including the King would have died if the plan was not found out.

A letter in the form of a warning was sent by one of the conspirators to Lord Monteagle, a Catholic member of the House of the Lords. A thorough search took place in the Parliament and they found Guy Fawkes along with the barrels and the lighter. He was arrested and questioned. Although he did not reveal the names of his fellow conspirators, they were soon tracked down and executed.

And from then on, the 5th of November, the day on which  the plan was foiled, is celebrated as Guy Fawkes Night. It is also known as Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Day or Fireworks Day. It is celebrated as a thanksgiving day to celebrate the plot’s failure.

On this day, bonfires and firecrackers are lit, effigies of the conspirator are thrown into the fire and Guy Fawkes masks are worn. Parkin cakes, charred potatoes, soup and mulled wine add to the celebration. Guy Fawkes parades also occur at some places.

The name Guy Fawkes and the person has influenced many literary works and characters including the main character in V for Vendetta and the phoenix named Fawkes in Harry Potter.