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Holiday Lessons
New Year's Day - Valentines Day - Easter - April Fool's Day - May Day - Summer Solstice - Battle of the Boyne - August Bank Holiday - Harvest Festival - Hallowe'en - Bonfire Night - Christmas
Bonfire Night
The History of Bonfire Night
Task 1
Match the words in the text to their synonyms
ancient |
container |
arrested |
detained |
audacious |
politician |
barrel |
acceptance |
bonfire |
plan |
conspirators |
schemer |
customs |
community |
festival |
very old |
formed |
celebration |
illegal |
warning |
minister |
made |
monarchy |
traditions |
penalty |
large fire |
plot |
symbolise |
public |
against the law |
represent |
punishment |
toleration |
a crime against the king |
treason |
certainly |
undoubtedly |
daring |
warding |
king |
The Story of the Gunpowder Plot & Guy Fawkes
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On 5th November 1605, two years after the death of Queen Elizabeth I, soldiers discovered a man called Guy Fawkes in a cellar under the Houses of Parliament. With him were at least twenty barrels of gunpowder. Guy Fawkes was arrested and tortured. At last he gave way and told his torturers about a plot to blow up Parliament, together with the King, James I, his Ministers and Members of Parliament.
Guy Fawkes (Guido Fawkes) was a Roman Catholic who had been angered by the failure of King James, who was after all the son of the Catholic Mary Queen of Scots, to grant more religious toleration to Catholics. He had joined with a group of four other Catholics led by Robert Catesby in the plot to kill the king. Catesby had made the mistake of inviting other Catholics to join the plot. One of these was called Francis Tresham. Tresham wrote a letter to his brother-in-law Lord Monteagle warning him not to go to Parliament and Monteagle told the government. Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators were executed as traitors.
In 1606 Parliament agreed to make 5th November a day of public thanksgiving and ever since then the day has been celebrated with fireworks and bonfires.
Bonfires and Burning the Guy
In some ways Bonfire Night is related to the ancient festival of Samhain, the Celtic New Year. Bonfires formed an important part of the Celtic New Year celebrations - warding off evil spirits. Bonfires play a part in many customs all over the world. On November 5th as part of Bonfire Night celebrations we too light bonfires. What makes the British Bonfire Night celebrations special is the burning of the guy. The guy is a figure usually made by the children out of old clothes, masks and anything else we can use. It represents Guy Fawkes and is burnt on the bonfire. Sometimes in the week or so before Bonfire Night children will take their guys on to the street and beg "a penny for the Guy". The money then goes towards the fireworks.
Strange Facts About Bonfire Night
- Until 1959, it was illegal not to celebrate the date of Guy Fawkes arrest in England...
- As late as 1998, the death penalty still existed in peacetime for the crimes of treason and piracy with violence in England and Wales...
- Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators in Gunpowder, Treason and Plot is undoubtedly one of the most audacious and publicised acts of treason against a monarchy, we hope you enjoy learning about how and why we celebrate Bonfire Night on November the 5th and the ultimate fate of Guy Fawkes and his treasonous plotting against King James I.
Task 2
Mark these questions true or false
1 Queen Elizabeth died in 1605.
2 Guy Fawkes wanted to kill King James I, his ministers and MP’s.
3 Guy Fawkes was the son of Catholic Mary Queen of Scots.
4 Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators were praised as heroes.
5 In 1666 Parliament made 5th November a day of public thanksgiving.
6 Since 1606, 5th November is celebrated with fireworks and bonfires.
7 Bonfires play a part in many customs all over the world.
8 The guy is a figure usually made out of children.
9 In the week before Bonfire Night, children ask for money.
10 They use the money to buy fireworks.
11 In 1959 it was made legal to celebrate 5th November.
12 Until 1998 it was possible to be killed in Wales for treason.
Task 3
Ask and answer
- Are bonfires a part of customs in your country?
- Do you enjoy traditional celebrations?
- Is there a day of thanksgiving in your country?
- Have you ever been to a firework display?
- Do you think Guy Fawkes was fairly treated?
- Do you give money to children asking for money on the street?
http://www.guy-fawkes.com/index.html
http://www.edenbridgetown.com/bonfire_night/bonfire_society/history1.shtml
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Free English Vocabulary Lessons Within the vocabulary section of EVOLVE there are lessons based on the academic word list which was compiled in order of frequency by LALS, Victoria University of Wellington. The lessons ensure that the student becomes familiar with the new vocabulary and can really use it in their own text. Also under this section you will find advice on learning and retaining vocabulary and some short cuts to understanding new words using word roots. |
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