The Original Burning "Guy"
Many of the symbols related to America's Halloween celebrations (ghosts, pumpkins, costumes, candy) are descended from the old Celtic peoples of the British Isles--the Scots, Welsh, and Irish.
But the English have their own Halloween-like tradition--Guy Fawkes Day, based on a real historical incident.
Guy Fawkes was a member of a band of conspirators who were accused of attempting to blow up the Houses of Parliament on Nov. 5, 1605. Fawkes and the other conspirators were angry that King James had been exiling Jesuits from England. They wanted to overthrow the king and return England to the Catholic faith.
Fawkes was apprehended, hung, drawn, and quartered. The following year, Parliament declared the fifth of November a day of public thanksgiving.
The act of treason was viewed as part of a Roman Catholic plot against the Protestant government. Because Halloween was associated with the Catholic church calendar, its importance diminished in English social life, but many Halloween traditions were shifted to Guy Fawkes Day.
Today, English children spend late October building dummies, known as "Guys" (representing Fawkes). They set them out on street corners and beg passers-by for "a penny for the Guy". The evening of Nov. 4 is known as Mischief Night, when children are free to play pranks on adults. On the night of Nov. 5, the "Guys" are burned in bonfires.
