10 amazing facts about Guy Fawkes

Think you know all about Guy Fawkes? Keep reading.

Remember, remember! The fifth of November, the Gunpowder treason and plot; I know of no reason, why the Gunpowder treason should ever be forgot!

The dogs in my neighbourhood are already going ballistic at the sound of fireworks at night. If last year is anything to go by, this will carry on for a good few weeks.

For more than 400 years people have been celebrating the foiled plot by Fawkes and his mates to blow up the House of Lords. For 254 years, until 1859, it was an act of Parliament that the day would be one of thanksgiving for the "joyful deliverance of James I".

To mark the occasion, here are 10 amazing facts about Guy Fawkes.

Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving star in V for Vendetta. Photo / File

1. Guy Fawkes also liked to be known as Guido Fawkes. He was born on 13 April 1570 in Stonegate, York, and went to school at St. Peter's in York. This is the only place in the UK that doesn't celebrate bonfire night - St. Peter's refuses to burn his image out of respect for their former pupil. As well as Guido, Fawkes also went by another name - John Johnson. He was referred to as this during his involvement in the plot, and this was the name he gave when he was arrested.

2. The Guy Fawkes mask with its broad smile, red cheeks, upturned moustache and thin, pointed beard is a depiction of Fawkes. It was used as a major plot element in the 2006 film adaptation of V for Vendetta, which is loosely based on the Gunpowder plot.

3. Fawkes wasn't the only conspirator in the plot, but his role was to guard the 2,500kg of gunpowder hidden under the Houses of Parliament.

Conspirators of the 17th Century Gunpowder Plot. Photo / Thinkstock

4. Fawkes was tortured for four days before admitting to his part in the Gunpowder Plot and giving the names of his co-conspirators. The National Archives in the UK hold his two signed confessions.

5. The conspirators were tried on 31 January 1606 and then hung, drawn and quartered. Though it's tradition to burn an effigy of Fawkes, the man himself wasn't thrown into bonfire.

6. The slang term of calling another person "guy" comes from the name Guy Fawkes. The original meaning was "an ugly, repulsive person." Over time it just referred to a man.

7. Guy Fawkes was named the 30th Greatest Briton in a poll conducted by the BBC in 2002.

8. Isla Guy Fawkes (Guy Fawkes Island) is an uninhabited island in the Galapagos Islands.

Photo / Thinkstock

9. A Chinese cook accidentally discovered fireworks during the 10th century. He mixed three kitchen ingredients and set the concoction alight. The result was colourful flames.

10. Italians first produced fireworks - the first recorded display was in Florence. The first recorded display in England was at the wedding of King Henry VII in 1486.