5 things you might not know: The Real Story of Bonfire Night
Over 400 years on from the foiled Gunpowder Plot, extravagant celebrations continue to mark the 5th of November. Guy Fawkes has been immortalised in popular culture, as one of England's most infamous figures. But what was the significance of this event and Guy Fawkes' role? And why do we celebrate a failed assassination attempt with fireworks?
Here are 5 things you might not know about the Gunpowder Plot and Bonfire Night.
1. Guy Fawkes wasn't the ringleader
While Guy Fawkes is the name synonymous with the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, the charismatic mastermind behind it all was Robert Catesby. Catesby was a devout Catholic, invested in converting England from Protestant to Catholicism. He was also a participant in the failed 1601 Essex rebellion and shared Guy Fawkes’ fanatical Catholicism.
Fawkes' role in the Gunpowder Plot was to light the fuse, detonating the 36 barrels of gunpowder. His knowledge of explosives came from fighting for Spain against its Protestant enemies. The Spanish war is also where he adopted the Italianised version of his name, Guido. It was under this name that he signed his confession.
2. The plotters numbered an unlucky thirteen
The participants of the Gunpowder Plot were predominantly members of the gentry with a shared devotion to Catholicism. But included in their number was Catesby’s servant, Thomas Bates, who stumbled across the plot and took their number to a rather ominous thirteen.
The plotters were angered by King James’ signing of a peace treaty with Catholic Spain. In their eyes, this was a monumental blow to their hopes that Spain would invade England and restore Catholicism. The gathered plotters swore an oath on a prayer book and schemed to blow up the entire Houses of Parliament. They hoped that by killing King James I and his heir Prince Henry they could launch a pro-Catholic uprising. The next stage of the plan was to indoctrinate James’ young daughter Elizabeth - installing her on the throne with Catholic noblemen ruling on her behalf.
3. Alterations to the Houses of Parliament gave the plotters their chance
The original 11th-century building had undergone many alterations and extensions. This resulted in a mismatch of meeting rooms, apartments, shops and even taverns within its walls. At the time of the Gunpowder Plot, the room the large room the Lords met in was originally built in the 13th Century as the Queen’s bed-chamber.
This multitude of clashing people and businesses resulted in minimal security. In March of 1605; an undercroft below the House of Lords became available. The plotters found gunpowder easy to obtain due to the end of the war with Spain, so Guy Fawkes assumed the identity of ‘John Johnson’ and began to transfer the gunpowder.
4. The plot began to unravel several days before the 5th of November
A few days before the plot was due to take place Lord Monteagle - a Catholic sympathiser - received a cryptic letter. This letter discouraged him from attending Parliament citing 'they shall receive a terrible blow'. He took it to King James’ right-hand man, the Earl of Salisbury. Despite the King now knowing of a proposed plot, Robert Catesby decided to proceed in the belief that the letter was too vague.
With heightened suspicions, the King ordered searches of Parliament. Guy Fawkes was discovered on the 4th of November with a suspicious amount of firewood. The gunpowder was found in the early hours of the 5th, prompting Fawkes’ arrest and subsequent torture. Days of gruelling torment resulted in a confession and an order for his execution. With the names of the other plotters uncovered, investigators moved quickly to arrest them. Eight plotters made a final stand against 200 men at Holbeach House in Staffordshire; most were killed or wounded, while the few remaining survivors were hung, drawn and quartered.
5. The Guy on the bonfire was originally the Pope
The Gunpowder Plot became infamous and fuelled anti-Catholic sentiment. In 1606, it became mandatory for all English churches to host a service on the 5th of November. Soon, other forms of celebration began, taking the form of bonfires, puppet shows and official artillery salutes. In 1673, crowds began the practice of parading around an effigy and stringing it up above a bonfire - initially in the form of the Pope. It was during the 1800s that the figure burnt above a bonfire became the familiar Guy Fawkes of today.
These days, Bonfire Night celebrations are stripped of their anti-Catholic sentiment. Guy Fawkes now seems to hold a more sympathetic anti-hero role in today’s popular culture, while the fireworks, bonfire and revelry take centre stage.
THE LONG READ
Keen to learn more?
Go in-depth and discover the full story of rebellion, religion and riot behind the 5th of November. Join Tom Moriarty as he explores the roots and evolution of a centuries-old tradition that – as we’ve touched on above – amounts to so much more than simply an evening of sparks and illumination.
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