Guy Fawkes and 5th of November
Guy Fawkes and 5th of November is a popular story in the history of England. Known also as Guido Fawkes, he was born and educated in York, England. His father died when he was eight years old and his mother married a devout Catholic.
As an adult, he was a British soldier but during the increased oppression of Catholics in England, Guy joined a group of provincial Catholics in England to protest against the Crown.
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Image by artist Sue Kerr, Courtesy of St Peter’s Foundation, reproduced by kind permission – Taken from: https://www.hrp.org.uk/
Guy was one of thirteen conspirators who wanted to blow-up Parliament in 1605. He was found hiding in the cellars of the Parliament surrounded by 36 barrels of gunpowder. Fawkes was imprisoned and tortured in the Queen’s House at the Tower of London.
Fawkes and the other plotters suffered a grisly traitor’s death: they were hanged, drawn and quartered, with their body parts then displayed throughout London as a warning to others.
Guy Fawkes and 5th of November
The conspiracy to blow-up Parliament became famously known as the Gunpowder Plot. The very night the plot was foiled, on November 5th, 1605, bonfires were set alight to celebrate the safety of the King. Since then, November 5th has become known as Bonfire Night.
To commemorate the failure of Guy Fawkes, Bonfire Night in the UK is celebrated with fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire. As it is celebrated outdoors, there are soups, sausages, baked potatoes and the traditional Parkin cake available. Parkin Cake, is a sticky cake containing a mix of oatmeal, ginger, treacle and syrup.
Guy Fawkes (April 13 1570 – January 31 1606)
Learn more on the Tower of London and the stories behind the walls of the fortress.
Beyond the Walls of London Fortress
Bloody Tower at the Tower of London
Magnificent Crown Jewels at the Tower
A Must Read on British History | Selection of Books on famous prisoners of the Bloody Tower
Keep exploring
Have a great time exploring London
Guy Fawkes and 5th of November first published at timelesstravelsteps.com and is regularly updated. Last update September 22, 2021
Thank you so much for your kind words, Ade. Appreciate it very much. Yes…Parkin Pie – that is still around on 5th November 🙂 Always nice to read on our history and appreciate the freedom we have today. Thank you again for your kind words.
I had completely forgotten Parkin Pie, a great reminder. I think as time drifts we forget the history of the Gunpowder Plot and actually the part it played in an important part of our cultural history. For any visitors to the UK around the weekends before or after the 5th November when firework night often takes place this is a great blog to understand it’s significance to our history even today. Another great blog.