Guy Fawkes Night - 1/31/26

Guy Fawkes Night
November 1, 2025 - January 31, 2025



Do one task for each fact.

0/11
 
Tasks
 
1. Guy Fawkes Night originates from the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, a failed conspiracy by a group of provincial English Catholics to assassinate the Protestant King James I of England and VI of Scotland and replace him with a Catholic head of state.
🎇 Read a book with a character called James or where a character is murdered or set in Scotland
 
2. In the immediate aftermath of the 5 November arrest of Guy Fawkes, caught guarding a cache of explosives placed beneath the House of Lords, James's Council allowed the public to celebrate the king's survival with bonfires, so long as they were "without any danger or disorder". This made 1605 the first year the plot's failure was celebrated.
🎇 Read book that is fifth in a series or where a character is arrested or where a character has a bonfire or fire.
 
3. One notable aspect of the Victorians' commemoration of Guy Fawkes Night was its move away from the centres of communities, to their margins. Gathering wood for the bonfire increasingly became the province of working-class children, who solicited combustible materials, money, food and drink from wealthier neighbours, often with the aid of songs like the song belong or a version of it.
🎇 Read a book set in the Victorian age or where a character raises money for the poor or where a character sings.
 
4. Organised entertainments also became popular in the late 19th century, and 20th-century pyrotechnic manufacturers renamed Guy Fawkes Day as Firework Night. Sales of fireworks dwindled somewhat during the First World War, but resumed in the following peace.
🎇 Read a book where a character changes their name or with fireworks on the cover or is first in a series.
 
5. At the start of the Second World War celebrations were again suspended, resuming in November 1945. For many families, Guy Fawkes Night became a domestic celebration, and children often congregated on street corners, accompanied by their own effigy of Guy Fawkes. This was sometimes ornately dressed and sometimes a barely recognisable bundle of rags stuffed with whatever filling was suitable.
🎇 Read a book published in November of any year or where a character does a craft or where the authors initial can be found in GUY FAWKES.
 
6. Collecting money was a popular reason for their creation, the children taking their effigy from door to door, or displaying it on street corners. But mainly, they were built to go on the bonfire, itself sometimes comprising wood stolen from other pyres—"an acceptable convention" that helped bolster another November tradition, Mischief Night.
🎇 Read a book where a character causes mischief (your interpretation) or where an event happens at night or where a character goes door to door for some reason. (Example police officer looking for witnesses/ someone asking for donations)
 
7. Lately, however, the custom of begging for a "penny for the Guy" has almost completely disappeared.In contrast, some older customs still survive; in Ottery St Mary residents run through the streets carrying flaming tar barrels, and since 1679 Lewes has been the setting of some of England's most extravagant 5 November celebrations, the Lewes Bonfire.
🎇 Read a book with either money on the cover or a money word in the title or where a character runs or where the authors initials can be found in OTTERY ST MARY.
 
8 In modern times many towns and villages host large, organized celebrations featuring fireworks, funfairs, and food stalls. A lot of families also celebrate at home, enjoying smaller garden fireworks and sparklers.
🎇 Read a book where a town hold a festival or celebration or where a character celebrates something at home or where a character gardens.
 
POEM
 
9. Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
🎇 Read a book where a character forgets something or where a character plots with another or where the first letter of each title word can be found in GUNPOWDER. (Three word minimum)
 
10. Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent
To blow up the King and the Parliament
Three score barrels of powder below
Poor old England to overthrow
🎇 Read a book set in England or with a character who is either a king or an elected official or where something is blown up.
 
11. By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holler boys, holler boys, let the bells ring
Holler boys, holler boys
God save the King!
🎇 Read a book where a character hollers or shouts or a book tagged religion or with a character who is a boy not a man.

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