Guy Fawkes and bonfire night

As children write their names in the sky with sparklers, and people across the country light bonfires and watch firework displays, we delve into our record collections to examine the history behind this tradition.

It originates at the turn of the 17th century, when a small group of English Catholics, fearing of a return to the Protestant religion under the reign of King James I, decided to blow up both King and Parliament with gunpowder. See our panoramic photograph from the 19th century, featuring the Houses of Parliament which could have been destroyed, below. The plot was discovered by the king’s spies on 5 November 1605.

Guy, or 'Guido', Fawkes is the most well known of this group of men. In the days following his capture, Fawkes confessed to the plot and named the others involved. We hold a number of documents at The National Archives relating to the gunpowder plot and Fawkes’ subsequent capture, including his signed confessions. We also hold the testimonies and examinations of accomplices including Francis Tresham and Everard Digby, excerpts of which are featured here.

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