During the religious persecutions at the time of the reign of JamesI, a group of Catholics plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament with gunpowder. The man who was supposed to light the fuse was Guy Fawkes. The explosion was due to happen on 5th November, 1605- on the day of the opening of Parliament, when the king would be present. However, on 4th November the plot was foiled and Guy Fawkes was arrested, tortured and hanged. Today, this event is remembered on 5th November with fireworks. Bonfires are lit in the countryside and a “guy” made of straw and rags is ceremonially burnt. The week before, children sit on the pavements with the “guy” and ask for a penny for the poor old Guy, which is spent on sweets.