Home
Buy on eBid
Sell on eBid
eBid Stores
My eBid
Upgrade to Seller+ Lifetime
eBid Help
Close
Login to Your Account
eBid Community Forums - Chat & find help from others in the eBid Community
  • Bonfire Night

    Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot



    Here at eBid, we thrive as a community on our diversity. The one thing we all have in common as a multi-national family, is our love of eBid. Every now and again though, it is useful to be reminded of our differences, our quirky national traditions, and our cultural oddities.

    Do you know for instance, about a chap named Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night.

    Guy Fawkes
    No? Then read on…

    The Gunpowder Plot


    Every November 5th, the UK celebrates the almost-blowing up of the Houses of Parliament in what is affectionately known as the Gunpowder Plot. Masterminded by a young soul named Guy Fawkes in 1605, the intention was to assassinate King James the First. Interestingly, Fawkes was also known by his nickname, Guido and in fact signed his forced confessions as such too.

    The plot failed after a tip-off and Fawkes was caught red-handed as he guarded the gunpowder under the Palace of Westminster. He was famously interred at the Tower of London and took fate into his own hands by leaping to his death from the scaffold and so died from a broken neck rather than from hanging.

    Somehow, many hundreds of years later, the Brits have made quite the event out of poor Guido’s failed efforts. Every year, families across the kingdom attend Bonfire Night parties and firework displays that any July the fourth-er would envy. The idea being that they celebrate the fact that gunpowder plot failed and King James 1st was not blown to smithereens.

    Penny for the Guy


    Perhaps the most gruesome aspect of the festivities is the burning of an effigy. A little Wicker-Man in style, ‘guys’ are made by children from old clothes and stuffing who then charge around the neighborhood to collect ‘pennies for the guy’ before placing it atop the bonfire and setting it alight. Charming.

    Bonfire Night

    Most displays draw huge crowds and feature food, an almighty bonfire, and then for the finale, an amazing firework display.

    Nibble, Nibble Munch


    The Brits even have a special selection of foods for the night. Most common is the humble baked potato – often baked in tin foil on the bonfire itself. To wash it down, lashings of hot chocolate are consumed and this is all followed by a hearty slice of Parkin, a cake made from oats, treacle and syrup – yum. It’s jolly chilly in November in Blighty, and there is no finer feeling than the warm glow of a Bonfire Night with a mug of cocoa in your gloved-hands.

    There is also have a little song to sing that sums the whole thing up. Here is a wee snippet:

    “Remember, remember!
    The fifth of November,
    The Gunpowder treason and plot;
    I know of no reason
    Why the Gunpowder treason
    Should ever be forgot!”

    So, there you have it, everything you could wish to know about November the fifth and an amusing little ditty as well.

    Do you have a national tradition or quirky annual event from your country that you would like to share with the eBid global community?
Follow Us
New To eBid?
Register for Free