š 24 Fascinating Facts about Guy Fawkes
Weāre all well aware of the plot element in the film V for Vendetta and the use of Guy Fawkesā masks. After the film, the Guy Fawkesā masks have become a universally known symbol of protest used among various groups. The masks both conceal the identity of the protestants and demonstrate their commitment to a shared cause.
But, who was the man being illustrated in the famous mask? What was he like? To unveil his true identity, weāve prepared 24 fun facts about Guy Fawkes to satisfy your curiosityā¦
1. Fawkes is a controversial figure.
Guy Fawkes was first a face of betrayal because of his role in the plot to blow up the British parliament in 1605, then a popular symbol of protest.
2. Fawkes was actually born in York!
Fawkes was a representative of a flagrant Yorkshire family and a convert to Roman Catholicism.
His parents were loyal followers of the Church of England. The family on his motherās side were recusant Catholics, while his cousin became a Jesuit priest.
3. He was a loyal compadre.
Oswald Tesimond, Guy Fawkesā school friend described him as āpleasant of approach and cheerful of manner, opposed to quarrels and strife ⦠loyal to his friendsā.
4. He had grand dreams.
His adventurous spirit, and religious passion, led him to leave Protestant England (1593) and enlist in the Spanish army in the Netherlands.
While in the Spanish army he gained repute for great bravery and cool determination.
5. Fawkes wasnāt actually the original leader of the plot.
The Gunpowder Plot conspirators, led by Robert Catesby, were keen Roman Catholics enraged at King James I for refusing to grant greater religious tolerance to Catholics.
The conspirators planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament during the state opening to kill the king and members of Parliament. Their goal was to clear the way to re-establishing Catholic rule in England.
6. What was in Lord Monteagleās letter?
In late October 1605, Lord Monteagle, an English aristocrat received a mysterious letter. He intended to be present at the opening of Parliament a few days later, on November 5th.
The mysterious letter contained a message that the Lord shouldnāt attend the Parliamentās opening in order to preserve his life. The sender of the letter warned the Lord about the things that were about to happen and advised him to burn the letter at the end.
7. No oneās really sure who sent the letter.
Itās believed that the letter was possibly sent by Monteagleās brother-in-law, Francis Tresham.
8. The King wasnāt sure what to make of it.
King James had his doubts regarding the letter at first, whether the threat was genuine or not?
Despite his scepticism, on November 4th, the Earl of Suffolk led a search of the Palace of Westminster and its vicinities, where Englandās Parliament was due to meet the next day.
9. Firewood may have been a tip-off.
The earl stated that he found no considerable cause for concern, but he did notice a privately lent ground-floor storeroom that had an unusually large amount of firewood.
10. Fawkes was enlisted by Catesby.
Robert Catesby, known as the initiator of the plot, and his small band of Catholics decided that they needed help from a soldier who would not be as familiar as they were.
In April 1604 they sent a man to the Netherlands to enlist Fawkes, who, without knowledge of the precise details of the plot, returned to England and joined them.
11. Fawkes helped to plant the gunpowder.
The plotters lent a cellar spreading under the palace, and Fawkes planted 36 barrels of gunpowder and concealed them with coals and firewood.
12. Tunnelling was a big part of the plan.
The initial plan was to dig a tunnel under the Houses of ParliamentĀ to move the gunpowder directly under Parliamentās walls.
13. An original pseudonym!
Fawkes pretending to be a servant took the false identity of John Johnson.
14. Plans changed pretty quickly.
Once the plotters managed to rent a basement in the House of Lords the tunnel plan was forsaken.
15. Deeper analysis found issues around the buildings.
Sir Thomas Knyvett, a marginal but reliable royal official, supervised a second search of the buildings around Parliament.
Knyvett had exposed an astounding conspiracy to blow up the members of both Houses of Parliament, the king, most of the royal family, and important officers of state.
16. The plot had legs.
They intended to set up a Roman Catholic regime in Protestant England, with James Iās daughter Elizabethāwho would not be in attendanceāas its puppet ruler.
17. Fawkes was eventually brought to book.
When the plot was exposed Guy Fawkes was arrested, on the night of the 4-5th of November 1605).
He revealed the names of his accomplices after being tortured.
18. Fawkes may have leapt before he was killed.
Tried and found guilty on January 27th, 1606, Fawkes was supposed to be executed opposite the Parliament building, but he fell or jumped from the gallows ladder. He broke his neck and died instantly.
19. Grim, but true.
Cut into quarters, his corpse was distributed for public display through the country.
20. The others were also apprehended.
The other plotters were either killed resisting capture or tried, convicted, and executed.
21. Bonfire Night is celebrated in the UK every year.
The Parliament accepted November 5th a national day of thanksgiving. The first celebration took place in 1606.
Guy Fawkes Day, another name for Bonfire Night, is a British ceremony celebrated on November 5th, honoring the failure of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
This celebration of Guy Fawkes Day involves fireworks, masked children begging āa penny for the guy,ā and the burning of little figurines of the conspirator.
22. But, why fireworks?
The fireworks represent the explosives that were never used by the conspirators.
23. Checks still go on.
Ceremonially guards perform an annual examination of the Parliament building to check for potential arsonists.
24. Itās a very big deal in Lewes!
Lewes, in south-eastern England, is the place where Guy Fawkes Dayās celebration has a particularly local aspect, including 6 bonfire societies all celebrating the 5th in different parts of the town, all with their own rituals, costumes, fire sites, and fireworks.

Guy Fawkes Night Celebrations, Lewes
FAQs about Guy Fawkes
Who celebrates Guy Fawkes Day?
Guy Fawkes Day is generally celebrated in Britain - itās a unique holiday to the UK!
What do people do to mark the occasion?
Many people have bonfire and fireworks parties; often involving burning an effigy in the shape of a āGuyā - named after Fawkes.
Was Guy Fawkes a good person?
It depends on who you ask - but ultimately, arson is still a violent crime!
Do you know any fun facts about Guy Fawkes? Share them in the comments below!
This page was last modified on October 7, 2021. Suggest an edit