The Significance of Guy Fawkes Night: Unraveling Fireworks and Bonfires
Discover the thrilling tradition of Guy Fawkes Night! Experience the dazzling fireworks and bonfires that light up the skies across England, Scotland, and Wales every November 5th Join Brits in celebrating this historic event with enthusiasm and delight
Every November 5th, the skies of England, Scotland, and Wales are aglow with fireworks, as people throughout Britain venture out into the night to partake in the festivities of Guy Fawkes Night. This long-standing autumn event, also known as Fireworks Night or Bonfire Night, has been an integral part of the British calendar for the last four centuries.
Find out more about Guy Fawkes and the evolution of November 5th celebrations over four centuries in this article.
Who was Guy Fawkes?
An illustration depicting Guy Fawkes and the other men behind the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Print Collector/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Guy Fawkes, also known as Guido Fawkes, was among a group of individuals apprehended for their failed plot to detonate explosives at the Houses of Parliament in London on November 5, 1605. Being Catholics, Fawkes and his companions aimed to incite a Catholic uprising against the Protestant rule in England, through this act of terrorism.
England had previously adhered to Catholicism until King Henry VIII of the Tudor dynasty established the Church of England. Consequently, Catholics were compelled to worship clandestinely.
Although Fawkes gained recognition as the emblematic figure of Bonfire Night, it was Robert Catesby who devised the plan. However, Fawkes possessed expertise in explosives and ended up being apprehended beneath the Houses of Parliament, alongside the hidden gunpowder, which ultimately led to his infamy. Following their arrest, Catesby, Fawkes, and their accomplices were incarcerated in the Tower of London, where they subjected to public torture and execution.
After the failed conspiracy, citizens of London joyfully set ablaze bonfires in commemoration, prompting then-King James I to enact a law declaring November 5th as a day of national remembrance, as shared by historian James Sharpe, professor emeritus of early modern history at the University of York, with CNN Travel.
As the century rolled on, people started burning effigies of the pope on bonfires on November 5. In time, effigies of Fawkes replaced the pope.
A photograph from 1955, depicting children at a school in Surrey, England, preparing the Guy Fawkes Night bonfire.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
According to Sharpe, author of "Remember, Remember: A Cultural History of Guy Fawkes Day," the act of law mandating a thanksgiving church service played a significant role in the continuous observance of the celebrations throughout the centuries. Sharpe also mentions that there are historical accounts of civic feasts during that time, followed by the introduction of fireworks.
Starting from the
Religious connotations surrounding November 5 diminished from the late 19th century onwards, leading to the repeal of the law designating it as a day of remembrance. Nonetheless, the tradition of bonfires and festivities persisted. It became customary to witness children wandering through the streets of England, carrying their own handmade effigies of Guy Fawkes, and politely requesting "a penny for the guy," reminiscent of a Bonfire Night-inspired version of trick-or-treating.
Whats Guy Fawkes Night like today?
Britain is now a secular, multicultural society, and so its quite surprising that a celebration once steeped in anti-Catholic sentiment has endured.
According to historian Ronald Hutton, renowned author of "The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain," the enduring popularity of Guy Fawkes Night can be attributed to its connection with fire and light, as well as its timing during the year. Previously, the holiday held strong nationalistic and Protestant sentiments, accompanied by a specific animosity towards Roman Catholicism. However, Hutton states that Guy Fawkes Night has shed its religious significance and is now free from any such associations.
Instead, Hutton proposes that November 5th offers a "remarkably splendid, widely embraced, and non-religious celebration during a period when individuals yearn for happiness."
Nowadays, firework exhibitions on November 5th are more prevalent than bonfires. Although a few individuals still ignite their own fireworks in their own yards, numerous individuals opt to attend events organized by the community in parks and public areas. Hutton elucidates that this change transpired in the latter part of the 20th century with the widespread availability of commercial fireworks.
Effigy-burning started to lose its popularity around the same time, except for a few notable cases. According to Hutton, the act of burning people in effigy became much less thrilling when compared to the exhilaration and enjoyment of fireworks.
Similarly, children no longer ask for "penny for the guy."
Still, although it is uncommon to witness the customary tradition of setting a burning effigy of Guy Fawkes atop a bonfire in modern times, this notorious plotter continues to be recognized as one of the most renowned historical figures in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, his visage serves as the source of inspiration for masks worn by protestors worldwide who defy the established order.
Lewes Bonfire Night celebrations
During the customary Bonfire Night festivities in 2019, the streets of Lewes witnessed the procession of effigies depicting the former UK prime minister Boris Johnson and his fellow Conservative politician Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Peter Summers/Getty Images
While many British towns and cities no longer include effigy-burning in their celebrations, the small town of Lewes in the south of England is a notable exception.
On November 5 (or on the 4th if the 5th falls on a Sunday), the historic town is illuminated by numerous torch-lit processions, with thousands of people participating, many dressed in elaborate costumes. The festivities culminate with grand bonfires, adorned with colossal effigies.
Lewes six bonfire societies are responsible for organizing these events, and according to historian Hutton, it is the enduring presence of these societies that has preserved the bonfire traditions in Lewes.
"These events are of an immense magnitude," he states, emphasizing that they are meticulously planned through the collaboration of various bonfire societies, requiring extensive preparations that span over several months.
Considerable criticism has been directed towards the extravagant costume festivities. Previously, certain individuals within the Lewes Bonfire Society would wear attire resembling Zulu-style garments coupled with blackface. However, in 2017, the group made a committed pledge to discontinue this tradition.
Lewes has previously seen effigies of ex-US President Donald Trump and ex-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson being burned, however, the town council wants to make it clear that it does not endorse these celebrations and urges visitors to Guy Fawkes Night festivities to refrain from participating.
According to the Visit Lewes website, the Lewes Bonfire is exclusively for local residents. It is strongly advised that individuals refrain from traveling to the town to observe the event due to the narrow streets and potential hazards caused by the large crowds, flaming torches, and firecrackers. However, for the upcoming 2023 event on Saturday, November 4, there will be a live stream available.
Ottery St Mary Bonfire Night celebrations
A photograph of a pastrunning of the tar barrels in Ottery St Mary in Devon, England.
Phil Clarke Hill/In Pictures/Getty Images
Ottery St Mary, another small town in southern England, is renowned for its Bonfire Night customs as well. These traditions involve setting ablaze tar barrels and parading them through the streets on November 5th (or the 4th if the 5th happens to be a Sunday).
According to historian Hutton, both the traditions of Lewes and Ottery St Mary have their roots in unruly and boisterous celebrations often organized by young people.
Ottery St Marys, like Lewes, established its November 5 disruption in the 20th century. Instead of rolling flaming tar barrels through the streets, the tradition now involves community members carrying them.
In 2014, journalist Patrick Kinsella participated in the celebrations and shared his experience with CNN Travel. He described seeing a man holding a flaming barrel as "the craziest thing I have ever seen."
Bonfire Night food
Theres usually a chill in the air on November 5 in Britain, and over the years, certain comfort foods have become synonymous with the holiday.
Toffee apples, known as caramel apples in North America, are considered traditional treats during Bonfire Night in England, Wales, and Scotland. In the northern region of England, particularly Yorkshire, it is common to indulge in a traditional ginger cake called parkin. Additionally, in Lancashire, also situated in northern England, there is a tradition of consuming black peas - peas that have been cooked in vinegar.
The rest of the UK
Meanwhile, Hutton reminisces about his childhood in southern England, where he would grill sausages on bonfires. Sharpe, who was raised in Yorkshire, Fawkes' home county, also remembers enjoying Bonfire Night sausages. They would often be served in the traditional English style known as "bangers and mash."
Crowds watching a firework display as part of Guy Fawkes Night celebrations at Alexandra Palace in London in 2021.
Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images
Bonfire Night is principally celebrated in England, but there are also organized festivities across Scotland and Wales.
Due to its original anti-Catholic associations, the holiday is not celebrated in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. Instead, across Ireland, bonfires are traditionally lit at Halloween, following a tradition that originated from the Celtic Festival of Samhain.
Historian Sharpe speculates that the enduring popularity of Guy Fawkes Night in England may be attributed to the long-standing tradition of vibrant winter festivities during this time of the year, particularly Samhain as well as the Catholic observances of All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day.
Top tourist destinations in England.
Americanized Halloween celebrations have become increasingly popular in Britain in recent years. Nowadays, the festivities on October 31 often overlap with Guy Fawkes Night. It could even be said that Halloween has surpassed Bonfire Night in terms of popularity in the UK. However, if you happen to be in England, Scotland, or Wales on or around November 5, you will certainly come across a firework display or two.
If you happen to be in Lewes, despite its reluctance towards visitors, Hutton recommends starting your perfect Bonfire Night with a delicious meal at a local pub before venturing into the chilly night to witness the festivities. For a more bustling and spontaneous experience, he suggests making your way to Ottery St Mary.
In contrast, Sharpe advises heading to York, the hometown of Fawkes, and exploring the various local celebrations held there. It is advisable to secure tickets in advance, so make sure to consult the local websites for further information.
In London, numerous organized firework displays are taking place across the capital, requiring tickets for entry. Notably, the Alexandra Palace Fireworks Festival in north London stands out as one of the largest, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. On the other hand, the Battersea Park Fireworks, located south of the river, treat spectators to magnificent pyrotechnics in a park situated near the recently refurbished Battersea Power Station, formerly responsible for supplying a significant portion of London's electricity.
