Guy Fawkes Night is held annually to celebrate the foiled Gunpowder Plot in which a group of conspirators attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.

Guy Fawkes, whilst not the lead conspirator, had the important role of preparing the explosives, some 36 barrels containing an estimated 1,800 pounds of gunpowder. The explosives were stored in a rented vault beneath the House of Lords, and at midnight on November 5th, just hours before the intended attack, Guy Fawkes was discovered in the vault in the possession of matches and touchpaper.

Fawkes was taken to the Tower of London, where he was interrogated and tortured before revealing his co-conspirators, who were later captured before being hung, drawn and quartered.

Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night as it is also known, is celebrated throughout the entire UK, with bonfires and firework displays in almost every town and village. 'Guys', or dummies representing Guy Fawkes are burnt on the bonfire with other traditions, including toffee apples and baked potatoes wrapped in foil being cooked in the bonfire ashes.