Born in 1570, he was raised and educated in York, England. When he was a young man he became a soldier, then said toodles to his home country and headed to mainland Europe. There in the Netherlands, he fought in the Eighty Years’ War with the Spanish against Protestant Dutch reformers. His travels then took him on to Spain to seek support for a Catholic rebellion back home, but he was unsuccessful. Still firm in his beliefs, things got interesting when he met a few like-minded men and they returned to Merry Old England.

It was in May of 1604 when these Catholic dissidents secretly met in a London pub called the Duck and Drake. Unhappy with the repression of their religion under Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, they were hopeful that King James I, who took the throne when she died, would become Catholic. Rumors of this nature were circulating and when the king amiably reached out to the pope, they were further encouraged. Yet soon after, King James I publicly denounced Catholicism and demanded all Catholic priests leave England. That’s when this band decided to take matters into their own hands. Their goal? Put an end to this pro-Protestant regime. How? By any means possible. Hence, the Gunpowder Plot was hatched and the wheels were set in motion.

Their plan was to stockpile explosives in a rented undercroft beneath the House of Lords and literally blow-up Parliament, thereby assassinating King James I. Everything was in place and ready to go, but then an anonymous letter mysteriously surfaced with information about what was going to take place, where, and when. This prompted authorities to search Westminster Palace and that’s where they found this man guarding the gunpowder. Arrested for high treason, he and his co-conspirators were hauled off to the Tower of London and remained imprisoned there until they were publicly hanged.

Although he wasn’t the ring leader, this man was an explosives expert and gained notoriety for this act. His name? Guy Fawkes. Bad Guy Fawkes.

From my journal: November 6, 2007, E. Twickenham, England

“Fireworks were going off for a long time last night. The news mentioned Guy Fawkes Day…people celebrate with bonfires and fireworks…Robert mentioned this when he called last night…need to find out more.”

Every fifth of November, Guy Fawkes Day is observed in the United Kingdom as well as Canada, South Africa, and Australia. It commemorates the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Celebrations include lighting bonfires, setting off fireworks, noshing on sweet and savory snacks, and burning effigies depicting Guy Fawkes. Made of straw and cloth, these figures called “guys” look similar to scarecrows. Oftentimes, school age children make their own guys but they no longer parade them around their neighborhoods seeking “a penny for the guy” or a small amount of money.

Guy Fawkes Day is also referred to as Bonfire Night or Fireworks Night.  Whatever one chooses to call it, treats often eaten by fire light include S’mores, caramel pear blondies, toffee apples, fruit & cider tatin, and toad-in-the-hole, accompanied by adult beverages and sodas. Simply scrumptious! Besides nibbles and tipples, guests often bring along camping chairs, blankets, and jackets. Many community based organizations encourage folks to come out and celebrate by putting on firework displays in parks and public areas. Some people even like to dress up as this infamous figure and don black or white masks with painted on moustaches, goatees, and eyebrows…spooky, for sure!

In honor of Guy Fawkes Day, here’s an authentic British blondie recipe to try. Buttery, moreish and chewy. Just brilliant!

Caramel Pear Blondies

Courtesy of Esther Clark, BBC Good Food

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes Bake Time: 40 Minutes Makes: 12

Ingredients

250g unsalted butter, cubed, plus extra for the tin

3 large eggs

275g light brown sugar

25g dark brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla bean paste

1 tsp fine sea salt

200g plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

100g dried pears, roughly chopped

100g dark chocolate, roughly chopped

3 tbsp caramel, from a can or jar

Method

STEP 1  Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Butter and line a 20 x 20cm square cake tin.

STEP 2  Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, swirling it around. Allow to bubble for a few minutes, or until it turns a light golden brown and smells biscuity. Remove from the heat and leave to cool a little.

STEP 3  Tip the eggs into a large mixing bowl and whisk together with the light and dark sugars until just combined. Whisk through the melted butter, vanilla and salt.

STEP 4  Gently fold through the flour, baking powder, dried pears and most of the chocolate chunks, being careful not to overmix (this will make the blondies dense).

STEP 5  Pour the mixture into the lined tin. Top with the remaining chocolate and dollops of the caramel. Put in the centre of the oven to bake for 40 mins, or until a skewer inserted comes out with sticky crumbs (it shouldn’t be wet). Leave to cool completely in the tin. It will sink a little – the centre should be slightly squidgy. Cut into 12 squares. Will keep in an airtight container for up to three days – if they last that long!

Don’t you just love British baking terms like swirl, bubble, tip, biscuity, and squidgy?!

Whether or not you plan to commemorate Guy Fawkes Day today, sitting around a campfire on a frosty November evening, comfy with warm blankets, and yummy food, enjoying the company of others…minus burning guys and noisy fireworks…sounds like a good time to me! A very good time, indeed.