In short...
Themes: Celebrating special days; Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot of 1605; remaining safe on Bonfire Night.
Summary: This assembly celebrates the Bonfire Night / Fireworks Night. The video traces the origins of the occasion back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and the unsuccessful attempt of Guy Fawkes and other plotters to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The video also includes messages from the Emergency Services and advice on how to remain safe on Bonfire Night.
Resources: The , an and .
The video
It’s Bonfire Night!
Bonfire Night takes place every year on 5 November, and is also known as Fireworks Night, or Guy Fawkes Night.
It’s an evening filled with big bonfires, fireworks, and sparklers.
But…what’s it all about?
To find out we need to go back more than 400 years - to 5 November, 1605. On this day, a group of men planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. They wanted to kill King James I - who ruled all of Britain - and his government.
The men had hidden 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars underneath the building, ready to set off a massive explosion that would destroy the Houses of Parliament and kill everyone in it.
But shortly before the explosion was planned, the king was shown an anonymous letter warning of the plot.
They searched the cellars and discovered the explosives, along with one member of the group - a man named Guy Fawkes.
And the plan to blow up Parliament was over.
One year after the event, which came to be known as the Gunpowder Plot, the King declared 5 November a day of National Thanksgiving.
People were encouraged to hold celebrations and light bonfires every year to remember the event.
Over time, Bonfire Night celebrations also came to include other traditions. Setting off fireworks, to represent the explosives that were never used by the plotters. Burning effigies of Guy Fawkes called ‘guys’, which are often made out of paper, wood, or old clothes stuffed with straw. And reciting a famous rhyme:
Remember, remember, the fifth of November
Gunpowder treason and plot
I see no reason
Why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot…
The most popular way of celebrating Bonfire Night is attending an organised firework display.
(CHILD) 'Oh I’m so excited, I can’t wait for the fireworks!'
But even though it’s a lot of fun, Bonfire Night can be dangerous. It’s a very busy night for our emergency services.
(FIREFIGHTER) 'There’s a lot more people having bonfires, setting fireworks off and things like that this time of year.'
(FIREFIGHTER) 'It can get really busy, ranging from kids mucking about with fireworks, bonfires getting out of control.'
Bonfire night can also be very scary for our pets, who can be frightened by the loud noises from fireworks.
We must be very careful to keep everyone safe on Bonfire night. So, every 5 November 'remember, remember' these four rules:
- Only adults should handle fireworks, go near bonfires, or light sparklers.
- Always wear gloves when holding a sparkler, keep it at arm’s length, and put it out in water or sand.
- Keep pets indoors and shut all windows and doors.
- And, most importantly, never touch fireworks or get too close to bonfires.
Be safe - and have fun this Bonfire Night!
The video traces the originals of Bonfire Night back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. In that year a group of Catholic plotters led by Robert Catesby and Guy Fawkes hatched a plot to kill King James I and his government by blowing up the House of Lords during the state opening of Parliament.
The plotters took the lease on a basement room below the parliament buildings and amassed 36 barrels of gunpowder there. However, a few days before the attack was due to take place an anonymous letter was received by one of the King's officials warning that such an attack was imminent. On the night of 4 November a search was undertaken throughout Parliament and Guy Fawkes was discovered alongside the gunpowder - the plot had been foiled in the nick of time.
The video goes on to explore some of the celebration common to Bonfire Night and offers advice on how to keep safe.
Duration: 3' 57"
Final words: '…be safe and have fun this Bonfire Night!'
Video questions
- What are other names for Bonfire Night? (Fireworks Night / Guy Fawkes Night)
- What did the plotters plan to happen on 5 November 1605? (Blow up King James I and the Houses of Parliament)
- Why did the plot fail? (An anonymous letter warning of the plot led to the discovery of the gunpowder and Guy Fawkes in the cellars)
- What do the fireworks of modern day celebrations represent? (The gunpowder that was not used)
- What are the words of the rhyme associated with Bonfire Night? ('Remember, remember the fifth of November…' etc)
- What are four rules we should all remember on Bonfire Night? (Only adults should handle fireworks; wear gloves when holding a sparkler; keep pets indoors and close windows; never get too close to bonfires)
Key links
Download / print the assembly framework ready for use
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Suggested framework
1. Entry
You could play the song Remember, remember (see 'Suggested songs' below - the instrumental version can be found here).
2. Introduction
Tell the assembly that they will be learning about the history of Bonfire Night in the UK. Explain to the group that this is an event that has been happening for more than 400 years, and celebrates the fact that a plot to kill the King was prevented. While they watch the video, ask everyone to think about how Bonfire Night today is related to the events that happened all those years ago.
3. Play the video
The duration is 3' 57" and the final words are: '…Be safe and have fun this Bonfire Night!'
4. Time to talk
Ask: Please turn to the person next to you and tell them your favourite thing to do on Bonfire Night, and why.
Then lead a discussion about the video to help pupils consolidate their understanding of Bonfire Night and its significance:
- Can you remember some other names for Bonfire Night? (Fireworks Night, Guy Fawkes Night)
- What happened on 5 November 1605? (The Gunpowder Plot. A group of plotters intended to kill King James I and his government, using barrels of gunpowder hidden under Parliament. An anonymous letter warned of the plot, and Guy Fawkes was discovered with the gunpowder just a few hours before he intended to detonate it)
- Bonfires are lit every 5 November. What other things have people historically done on Bonfire Night? (Set off fireworks and burn effigies of Guy Fawkes). Wait for responses. Follow up with: Can you remember what the fireworks and the effigies represent? (The fireworks represent the barrels of gunpowder that didn’t go off. The effigy is to remember and punish the plotters by making an example of Guy Fawkes. Looking for an awareness that the things we do today directly relate to the things that happened - or nearly happened - in 1605)
- Can anyone tell me the poem that people recite on Bonfire Night? ('Remember, remember, the fifth of November / Gunpowder, treason and plot. / I see no reason why gunpowder treason / Should ever be forgot'). The full text can be read below. Wait for responses. Follow up with Why do you think it is important to remember the gunpowder plot? (Looking for an awareness that we should remember these historical events to learn from them and avoid them happening again)
- What are some of the dangers of Bonfire Night? (Dangers of fire getting out of control, fireworks not being set off properly, etc). Wait for responses. Follow up with: How can we keep ourselves safe this Bonfire Night? (Let adults handle bonfires, fireworks and sparklers; wear gloves and dispose of sparklers in sand or water; keep pets indoors. Looking for an awareness of being careful and sensible)
5. Time to sing
Suggestions from Â鶹ԼÅÄ collections below, including songs from our KS1 music content about The Gunpowder Plot.
6. Opportunity to reflect
Focus your reflection on the history of Bonfire Night. For example:
Sit quietly now and think about what might have happened if the Gunpowder Plot had not been stopped…
The damage it would have caused…and how many people could have been hurt or killed…
There are still people today who want to do others harm, and we are grateful for the police and everyone else who works hard to stop them…
This Bonfire Night, as we have fun together, we should also make sure we stay safe…
And spare a thought too for the plot that was stopped more than 400 years ago…
7. Opportunity for prayer
Begin with your usual form of address ('Dear God', 'Dear Lord', 'Let us pray', etc and:
Thank you that we are able to remember and celebrate an event from more than 400 years ago.
Thank you too for the people who continue to keep us all safe.
Help us to remember the good that people can do, and to follow the rules and stay safe as we celebrate Bonfire Night.
Amen.
Suggested songs
Song: 'Remember, remember' (one of the songs from our Gunpowder Plot music content)
Remember, remember
The fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot
Fireworks fizzle
And bonfires burn
Stories from history
What can we learn?
Remember, remember
The fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot
Ticking of clock
And ringing of bell
Time goes on
And time will tell
Remember, remember
The fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot
Remember, remember…
Remember, remember…
Remember, remember…
Song: 'He's got the whole world' (Come and Praise, no 19. Vocal version)
He’s got the whole world, in His hand,
He’s got the whole wide world, in His hand,
He’s got the whole world, in His hand,
He’s got the whole world, in His hand.
He’s got the wind and the rain, in His hand,
He’s got the wind and the rain, in His hand,
He’s got the wind and the rain, in His hand,
He’s got the whole world in His hand.
Chorus
He’s got the sun and the moon, in His hand,
He’s got the sun and the moon, in His hand,
He’s got the sun and the moon, in His hand,
He’s got the whole world in His hand.
Chorus
He’s got the plants and the creatures, in His hand,
He’s got the plants and the creatures, in His hand,
He’s got the plants and the creatures, in His hand,
He’s got the whole world in His hand.
Chorus
He’s got everybody here, in His hand,
He’s got everybody here, in His hand,
He’s got everybody here, in His hand,
He’s got the whole world in His hand.
Chorus
'Let all the world in every corner sing'
Related links
- Â鶹ԼÅÄ Teach: The Gunpowder Plot - history and music resources for KS1
- CÂ鶹ԼÅÄ Newsround: Bonfire Night - top tips for staying safe
- CÂ鶹ԼÅÄ Newsround: Fantastic things you never knew about fireworks
'Remember, remember, the Fifth of November' - words of the rhyme in full
Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow;
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!