Remember, remember the fifth of November.
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
November 5th is Guy Fawkes Night. It is also known as Bonfire Night and has a very long tradition in England involving dangerous plots and treason.
On 5th November 1605 Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London. Guy Fawkes disagreed with the then king of England, King James I and plotted with a group of men to fill a cellar under the Houses of Parliament with gunpowder to blow it up. This was later to become known as the Gunpowder Plot. The plan was foiled, Guy Fawkes was captured and sent to the Tower of London, and then later executed.
Since that day the 5th November had been remembered as Guy Fawkes Night. Effigies of Guy Fawkes were made with shirts and trousers stuffed with hay or paper, and a mask was sometimes used for its face. Children would take their guy out on the streets and ask for a 'penny for the guy' to pay for fireworks. I actually remember asking for the penny for a guy - "penny for a guy mister"? At night the guys were placed on the top of bonfires, and burned like this.
Nowadays, the 5th November is just known as Bonfire Night. Today it is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires, usually organized bonfires for a crowd with other festive activities planned too. We always had our own fireworks, and I can even smell them now. This night is a great memory.
You knew I was leading up to food!
It is a bonfire night tradition to make baked potatoes in foil in the bonfire, and we would also cook sausages and marshmallows on sticks that way too. It is usually a cold night, so hot chocolate is a must.
There is a traditional cake "Parkin Cake" eaten on Bonfire night too. It is made with molasses and oatmeal, and looks a little like gingerbread.
Toffee apples are a bonfire night favorite too, and they are similar to the American candy apple.
Even though the food is a memory here, as it always seems to be with me, the bonfire is really what sticks in my mind. Nothing like being out on a crisp, cold night in front of a huge fire with family and friends.
thanks for reading.
