Today marks Guy Fawkes Day, otherwise known as Bonfire Night (November 5).
This tradition has been celebrated in the UK for centuries following the failed Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
Read on to find out more about who Guy Fawkes was and what happened during his Gunpowder Plot.
READ NEXT - Bonfire Night quiz questions to test your family and friends
Who was Guy Fawkes?
Guy Fawkes - also known as Guido Fawkes, when fighting for Spain - was part of a group of provincial Catholics who were involved in the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Guy Fawkes was the first to be arrested in the group, following the plan’s failure, which is why his name is the best remembered.
Fawkes was born and educated in York. His mother married a recusant Catholic, following the death of his father when Fawkes was just eight years old.
Guy converted to Catholicism and travelled to mainland Europe where he then fought for Catholic Spain in the Eighty Years War against the Protestant Dutch reformers in the Low countries.
Fawkes initially travelled to Spain to find support for a Catholic rebellion back at his birthplace in England.
However, he didn’t receive the support he sought out, leading him to return to England.
What happened during his Gunpowder Plot?
Back in England, Guy Fawkes met some other fellow Catholics, including Thomas Wintour and Robert Catesby, who had the same mindset as him in wanting to transform England back into a Catholic country, instead of the protestant country it had become.
Therefore, Guy Fawkes got involved in the Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament - while the King was inside.
Fawkes was placed in charge of the gunpowder that they stockpiled underneath the House of Lords.
However, the plan didn’t go ahead as authorities received a letter to search Westminster Palace during the early hours of the morning of November 5, 1605.
Taking the letter’s advice, the authorities found Guy Fawkes guarding the explosives on this day and he was consequently arrested and, later, executed.
The failed Gunpowder Plot is now celebrated through Bonfire Night on the November 5 each year.
Contact us with your stories or comment below with your views.
In Your Area has news for the postcode you choose - whether it be where you live or work.
