36 barrels of gunpowder

“We are all utterly undone”

Catholic co-conspirator Father Henry Garnet, upon reading a letter that the gunpowder plot had failed.

Coming next week on KnowledgeBox is a Question Path on the Gun Powder plot in readiness for November 5th.

We’re all familiar with the famously foiled attempt to blow up Parliament, Bonfire night, ooh-ing and aah-ing at firework displays and locking the cat in for the evening but did you know there’s lots of other ways people celebrate Guy Fawkes night around the British Isles?

Bonfire night food

Whilst most public fireworks displays are serviced by hotdog vans and candyfloss vendors these days, there are other more interesting types of food traditionally eaten on Bonfire night such as Groaty pudding (pic here), Parkin (recipe here), and the perennial favourites, Toffee Apples or Treacle Toffee.

Parkin

Credit: http://flickr.com/photos/spiderdog/

Toffee apples

Credit: http://flickr.com/photos/clav/

Ottery St Marys Tar Barrels

Credit: http://flickr.com/photos/scouseandjules/

In Ottery St Marys in Devon there’s a bonfire night tradition dating back to the 17th century of filling wooden barrels with tar and setting them on fire. Said to purge “evil spirits from the town” with flames belching out they run them through the main street, passing them between friends when they get too hot to handle.

You can find out more (and see some spectacular pictures) at www.otterytarbarrels.co.uk

Bridgwater “Squibbing”

No, it’s not a term from Harry Potter (that’s a Squib as in Argus Filch) but an old Bonfire Night ceremony held in Bridgwater in Somerset.

Lines of brave volunteers form two opposing rows down the highstreet and each have long tubes with fireworks (“squibs”) attached to the end. They light the tips and hold them up to burn furiously and illuminate the night sky. Sounds very exciting! There’s a short but well made documentary on the Bridgwater Squibbing here.

It all started from an incident in 1716 when the local man called John Taylor blew himself and his family up when making squibs, a small explosive device used in mining. Quite why you’d want to celebrate that I’m not sure but these things tend to gather momentum down the years and now Squibbing is a major part of their November 5th celebrations.

Lewes Bonfire night

Most villages, towns and cities have fireworks displays and a bonfire at the local park but Lewes in Sussex takes it to the next level and then some.

They have 6 big bonfires, a mile-long “Grand United Procession” costume parade, flaming barrel runs, burning martyr crosses and bombastic firework displays. It’s not surprising over 100,000 people flock to Lewes to see the spectacle each year.

So next time you find yourself on November 5th half-heartedly looping a cheap sparkler in the air trying to spell your name remember (remember) you’re not really doing Guy Fawkes justice and that some folks really put the effort in

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

Guy Fawkes, guy, t’was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
To prove old England’s overthrow.

By god’s mercy he was catch’d
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.

And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!

Chris, Online Community Manager

PS: Did you know that in the actual gunpowder plot in 1605 the conspirators at Holbeche House tried to dry their rain soaked gunpowder by placing it in front of of the fire? It naturally combusted causing the only explosion of the plot and injuring several of them!