Guy Fawkes Night

Guy Fawkes story
King James I was a protestant, he passed severe laws against the catholics.
Catholics were very angry, they had to practice their religion in secret.
A group of 12 catholics decided to kill King James.

On the 5th of November 1605, they plotted to blow up  the Houses of Parliament when the King was there. This was called the Gunpowder plot. The leader of the conspirators was Robert Catesby.
Guido (Guy) Fawkes was an expert with explosives.
When the soldiers discovered the plot, Guy Fawkes was immediately arrested and tortured.Three days later, all the conspirators were arrested and hanged too.
To celebrate the defeat of the plotters, people started bonfires in the streets of London.

Today, on November 5th people in Great Britain celebrate Guy Fawkes' night or 'Bonfire night' as a kind of remembrance.

There is  usually a big feast :
Families make their own models of Guy Fawkes with wood and old clothes.They  light big bonfires, they burn the 'Guys' and set off fireworks.
Children parade their "guys" around the streets to get money to buy fireworks. Sometimes people even roast potatoes and chestnuts in the ashes of the bonfire.

This famous rhyme continues to remind people why, on the 5th of November bonfires are set alight

Remember, remember, the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
We see no reason why
Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

You can print activities
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/guyfawkes/index.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/dynamo/history/gunpowder.shtml


You can send Guy Fawkes e-cards
http://www.fireworks.com/interactive/e-cards/enter_info.asp?ID=61
http://www.fireworks.com/interactive/e-cards/enter_info.asp?ID=97


Some recipes
toffee-apples http://www.greatbritishkitchen.co.uk/recipebook/index.php?option=com_rapidrecipe&page=viewrecipe&recipe_id=1096