If you joined us in the past, you know what to expect. If you have never attended a Guy Fawkes celebration at Fox and Parrot - now is the time!!

Many have enjoyed specials on our authentic British drink and food, and a unique opportunity to try Dead Guy Ale from Rogue Breweries. Please check our Guy Fawkes Gallery

404th Anniversary! (1605-2009)

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

        Remember, remember, the fifth of November,
        Gunpowder, treason and plot!
        A stick or a stake for King James' sake
        Will you please to give us a fagot
        If you can't give us one, we'll take two;
        The better for us and the worse for you!

2009 is the 404th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the English Parliament. And while each year's celebration has been better than before, our special 404th Anniversary Celebration set new records!

The Gunpowder Plot

A secret plan to overthrow the king. A mercenary returning from war abroad. Thirty six barrels of gunpowder. In 1605, thirteen young men planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Among them was Guy Fawkes (a Yorkshireman), arguably Britain's most notorious traitor. Or hero, if you saw the movie V - loosly patterned after the Guy Fawkes story.

Fawkes is notorious for his involvement in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. He was probably placed in charge of executing the plot because of his military and explosives experience. The plot, masterminded by Robert Catesby, was an attempt by a group of religious conspirators to kill King James I of England, his family, and most of the aristocracy, by blowing up the House of Lords in the Palace of Westminster during the State Opening of Parliament.

The plot itself may have been occasioned by the realisation by Protestant authorities and Catholic recusants that the Kingdom of Spain was in far too much debt and fighting too many wars to assist Catholics in Britain. Any possibility of toleration by Great Britain was removed at the Hampton Court conference in 1604 when King James I attacked both extreme Puritans and Catholics. The plotters realised that no outside help would be forthcoming. Fawkes and the other conspirators rented a cellar beneath the House of Lords after having failed in their attempt to dig a tunnel under the building. By March 1605, they had hidden 1,800 pounds (36 barrels, or 800 kg) of gunpowder in the cellar.

A few of the conspirators were concerned about fellow Catholics who would have been present at Parliament during the opening. On the evening of 26 October Lord Monteagle, received an anonymous letter warning him to stay away, and to "retyre youre self into yowre contee whence yow maye expect the event in safti for ... they shall receyve a terrible blowe this parleament". Despite quickly becoming aware of the letter—informed by one of Monteagle's servants—they resolved to continue with their plans, as it appeared that it "was clearly thought to be a hoax". Monteagle had been made suspicious, however, and the letter was shown to King James. The king ordered Sir Thomas Knyvet to conduct a search of the cellars underneath Parliament, which he did in the early hours of 5 November. Shortly after midnight, Fawkes was found leaving the cellar the conspirators had rented and was arrested. Inside, the barrels of gunpowder were discovered hidden under piles of firewood and coal.

Fawkes gave his name as John Johnson, and was tortured over the next few days in an effort to extract from him the names of his co-conspirators. King James directed that the torture be light at first, but more severe if necessary. Sir William Wade, Lieutenant of the Tower of London at this time, supervised the torture and obtained Fawkes's confession. For three or four days Fawkes said nothing, nor divulged the names of his co-conspirators. Only when he found out that they had proclaimed themselves by appearing in arms did he succumb. The torture only revealed the names of those conspirators who were already dead or whose names were known to the authorities. On 31 January, Fawkes and a number of others implicated in the conspiracy were tried in Westminster Hall. After being found guilty, they were taken to Old Palace Yard in Westminster and St Paul's Yard, where they were to be hanged, drawn and quartered. Fawkes, weakened by his torture, was the last to climb the ladder to the gallows, from which he jumped and broke his neck in the fall, thus avoiding the gruesome latter part of his execution.

Bonfire Night

On the night of November 5th, throughout Britain and most former British colonies, we commemorate the capture of Guy Fawkes with bonfires and fireworks, and by burning an effigy of Guy.

The tradition of Guy Fawkes-related bonfires actually began the very same year as the failed coup. The Plot was foiled in the night between the 4th and 5th of November 1605. Already on the 5th, agitated Londoners who knew little more than that their King had been saved, joyfully lit bonfires in thanksgiving. As years progressed, however, the ritual became more elaborate. bonfire

Soon, people began placing effigies onto bonfires, and fireworks were added to the celebrations. Effigies of Guy Fawkes, and sometimes those of the Pope, graced the pyres. Still today, some communities throw dummies of both Guy Fawkes and the Pope on the bonfire (and even those of a contemporary politician or two), although the gesture is seen by most as a quirky tradition, rather than an expression of hostility towards the Pope.

Preparations for Bonfire Night celebrations include making a dummy of Guy Fawkes, which is called "the Guy". Some children even keep up an old tradition of walking in the streets, carrying "the Guy" they have just made, and beg passersby for "a penny for the Guy." The kids use the money to buy fireworks for the evening festivities.

On the night itself, Guy is placed on top of the bonfire, which is then set alight; and fireworks displays fill the sky.

The extent of the celebrations and the size of the bonfire varies from one community to the next. Lewes, in the South East of England, is famous for its Bonfire Night festivities and consistently attracts thousands of people each year to participate.

Bonfire Night is not only celebrated in Britain. The tradition crossed the oceans and established itself in the British colonies during the centuries. It was actively celebrated in New England as "Pope Day" as late as the 18th century. Today, November 5th bonfires still light up in far out places like New Zealand and Newfoundland in Canada.