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Guy Fawkes Day an unique holiday in England, is celebrated on the 5th November.
On this date, in 1605, a group of Roman Catholics tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament, with the government, King James I, his Queen and their son. They were angry at the King's treatment of Catholics and hoped that English Catholics would be able to take over the country if they murdered the King, his ministers and members of Parliament. This was the Gunpowder Plot.
On November 4, 1605, Guy Fawkes was caught red-handed in the basement of the British Parliament. He was trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament with gunpowder. |
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Ever since then, on November 5, the British have traditionally celebrated his failure by letting off fireworks and burning an effigy of 'Guy'. 5th November was made a day of public thanksgiving, and this day, known as Guy Fawkes day, is still celebrated.
Children make life-size models of Guy Fawkes out of old clothes stuffed with straw and newspaper, and carry these 'Guys' through the streets collecting pennies. "Pennies for the Guy!" they shout. People light big bonfires, and burn the 'Guys' and set off fireworks. The tradition of lighting bonfires on November 5, started the same year as the plot itself. People, happy that the King had been saved, lit bonfires in the streets. Because of increased safety regulations most towns and villages have begun having public bonfires again. These days private bonfires are few and there are not many "Guys" on display in the streets. Children, in some areas, blacken their faces as Guy Fawkes might have done when he plotted to blow up parliament.
In main town and cities, torch-lit processions are also popular on this night too. In Ottery St Mary, teams of stalwart men carry flaming tar barrels on their shoulders down the length of the town�s High Street. When one man�s 50-pound barrel gets too hot to handle, another man takes over - then another, and then another, until the flames die out and the barrel crumbles into ashes.
There are many rhymes associated with the Gunpowder Plot.
"Remember, remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason, why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot."
Rumour, rumour, pump and derry, Prick his heart and burn his body, And send his soul to Purgatory.
Remember, remember, the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot!
A stick or a stake for King James' sake Will you please to give us a faggot
If you can't give us one, we'll take two; The better for us and the worse for you!
There's usually a feast, and sometimes people even roast potatoes and chestnuts in the ashes of the bonfire. Jacket potatoes are baked in the bonfire and eaten with a mug of hot soup. Parkin Cake, a sticky cake, is traditionally eaten on this day. |
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