But QI revealed something more intriguing: Bonfire Night may have been grafted onto older, pre-existing pagan fire festivals.
The Gunpowder Plot and Propaganda
After the Gunpowder Plot was foiled, Parliament passed the Observance of 5th November Act in 1606, making it a day of national thanksgiving. Citizens were encouraged to light bonfires in celebration of the king’s survival.
But the timing was suspicious. The 5th of November falls close to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. Samhain was associated with fire rituals, warding off spirits, and the changing of the seasons—hallmarks still present in Bonfire Night traditions.
From Pagan Fires to Political Flames
Fire has long played a role in ritual celebrations. The Church often absorbed pagan festivals to ease conversion, as it had done with Christmas and Easter. Guy Fawkes Night, while politically motivated, likely built upon existing fire-festival customs. As QI wittily summarized: “Every good British celebration begins with a pagan, continues with a king, and ends with a bang.” shutdown123