by Jaimela King

Created on: November 11, 2009   Last Updated: November 17, 2009

If the Parliament building had been blown up, as was the plan behind the gunpowder plot, we might not have a Guy Fawkes Day today. The fact that this devious plan was foiled before it succeeded, is much cause for celebration and celebrated it is. Guy Fawkes Day is a time of merrymaking; a time when people of all ages enjoy seeing Guy Fawkes go up in flames.

King James I of England was scheduled to meet with his cabinet on November 5th 1607 when he learned of a plot to destroy the Parliament building. The mastermind behind the plot was Robert Catesby, a Catholic, who felt that his father had endured persecution by Queen Elizabeth. He gathered together a number of other disgruntled Catholics to assist in the carrying out of the deadly plan. Guy Fawkes was one of those disenchanted persons who was not happy with what he say as unfair treatment of Catholics by the protestant government.

Robert Gatsby rented a room in the parliament building below where the government officials were scheduled to meet, and Guy Fawkes along with other conspirators, stockpiled barrels of gunpowder there. Included in the recruits was Francis Tresham whose brother-in-law, Lord Monteagle was to attend the Parliament that day. Francis Tresham warned his brother-in-law, not to attend the meeting. This alerted the protestant government that something was amiss leading to a search of the Parliament building hours before the meeting.

It was a justice of peace, Sir Thomas Knyvet who found Guy Fawkes wandering around in the cellar under the Parliament, and his suspicion led to a search of the building and the discovery of some 20 barrels of gunpowder hidden under coal and wood. The gunpowder plot as it became known as, was uncovered and Guy Fawkes arrested and tortured. He revealed the identities of the other conspirators who were all arrested and killed. Those who survived the arrest were tried and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered.

Great Britain was fascinated by the gunpowder plot and overjoyed that disaster was averted. To celebrate, they started bonfire celebrations which led King James I to declare November 5th a day of public thanksgiving and a public holiday. It is a celebration of victory over what could have been - the tragedy that was averted in the planned blowing up of the parliament building and its occupants that day.

Today, Guy Fawkes Day continues to be celebrated throughout Great Britain. Celebrations include, the parading and burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes, bonfires, fireworks, as well as the cooking of large potatoes on bonfires. What could have been a solemn remembrance has become a celebration of a disaster averted.

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