British Cuisine: A Culinary Adventure

A sampling of traditional British food explained, including a full English breakfast, Yorkshire pudding, haggis, and bangers and mash. 

When you think of British food, hearty, comforting dishes often come to mind. This guide takes you on a delicious journey through British cuisine, exploring the history of iconic meals and revealing where to find the best of them. 

For a truly immersive experience, consider indulging in wine and dine hotel breaks in the United Kingdom to elevate your culinary adventure. These special hotel packages include both accommodation and a gourmet dining experience, especially popular for short getaways. 

“Scotland’s national dish, haggis, is a savory pudding made from sheep’s heart, liver and lungs, mixed with onions, oatmeal and spices, all encased in the sheep’s stomach. ”

A Journey Through Regional U.K. Specialties

The full English breakfast

Start your day the British way with a full English breakfast. This robust morning meal features eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding (aka blood sausage), baked beans, tomatoes and mushrooms, and is often accompanied by toast or fried bread. 

Dating back to the early 1800s, this breakfast staple was designed to fuel workers for the day ahead. 

Variations like Scottish and Irish breakfasts add regional twists, showcasing local products and cooking methods. An Irish breakfast might include white pudding (no blood involved) and soda bread, while a Scottish version could swap black pudding for haggis — a savory “pudding” made with sheep offal (more on this later). 

Yorkshire pudding and Sunday roast

Head north to Yorkshire for a taste of their famous Yorkshire pudding, a savory delight traditionally served with Sunday roast. This classic British meal includes roasted meat, potatoes, vegetables and plenty of gravy. Yorkshire pudding, made from meat drippings — the juices and fat that accumulate at the bottom of a roasting pan — has roots going back to the 18th century. Today, countless pubs and restaurants across the U.K. serve this cherished dish, particularly on Sundays.

Fish and chips

No discussion of British cuisine is complete without fish and chips. This beloved dish, featuring battered and deep-fried fish with thick-cut chips (what Americans call French fries), originated in the 19th century. Jewish immigrants introduced fried fish, while the working class embraced potatoes. Coastal towns like Whitby and Brighton are famed for their fresh, seaside-sourced fish and chips.

The Welsh cawl

Welsh cuisine’s standout dish, cawl, is a hearty soup made from lamb or beef, leeks, potatoes and other root vegetables. Perfect for winter, cawl reflects Wales’ agricultural heritage. Enjoy it with crusty bread and cheese in a Cardiff pub or a rural Welsh village for an authentic experience.

Scottish haggis

Scotland’s national dish, haggis, is a savory pudding made from sheep’s heart, liver and lungs, mixed with onions, oatmeal and spices, all encased in the sheep’s stomach. Despite its unusual ingredients, haggis is cherished for its rich flavor and cultural significance. Traditionally served with neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes), you can find haggis across Scotland, especially during Burns Night in January.

Historical Influences on British Cuisine

The Impact of the British Empire

The British Empire’s extensive reach brought a diverse array of global flavors to the U.K., transforming British cuisine in remarkable ways.

India: Spices like turmeric, cumin and coriander became staples in Britain, leading to popular dishes such as chicken tikka masala and various curries.

China: The British fascination with tea from China led to the development of afternoon tea, a beloved tradition featuring tea accompanied by scones, finger sandwiches and pastries.

The Caribbean: Sugar from the Caribbean revolutionized British desserts, introducing sweet treats like treacle tart and fruitcake, as well as the use of molasses in baking.

Africa: Ingredients like yams and plantains found their way into British kitchens, enriching the culinary landscape with new textures and flavors.

Australia: Lamb from Australia influenced British meat dishes, while exotic fruits like kiwis and passionfruit added a new dimension to British desserts.

These global influences melded with traditional British cooking to create a rich and varied culinary heritage, reflecting the empire’s far-reaching connections.

The Rise of Pub Culture

British pubs are more than just places to drink; they’re community hubs offering traditional English fare. Pub grub includes traditional fare like:

Steak and ale pie

This hearty dish features tender beef stewed in rich ale, encased in a flaky pastry crust. It’s a comforting classic often served with mashed potatoes and vegetables.

Bangers and mash

A traditional favorite, this dish consists of sausages (bangers) served with creamy mashed potatoes (mash) and usually accompanied by a savory onion gravy.

Ploughman’s lunch

A cold meal typically including cheese, pickles, bread and cold meats, often served with chutney and salad. It’s a staple in pubs, offering a simple yet satisfying option.

Enjoy these classics in the convivial atmosphere of a local pub, accompanied by regional ales and ciders.

Where to Savor Authentic British Flavors

London’s Diverse Food Scene

London’s food culture is a blend of tradition and modernity. Borough Market and Covent Garden are hotspots for British cuisine, offering everything from artisanal cheeses to savory pies. 

The city’s dining establishments range from traditional to contemporary, providing a true taste of Britain’s culinary heritage. 

London is a world-class dining city, home to numerous Michelin-starred restaurants and innovative chefs who push culinary boundaries. 

Whether you’re in the mood for a classic pub meal or an avant-garde dining experience, London’s vibrant and diverse food scene has something for everyone.

Coastal Culinary Adventures

For seafood enthusiasts, the U.K.’s coastal regions are a treasure trove of fresh fish and shellfish. Savor smoked salmon from Scotland, and shellfish like scallops, mussels and oysters, some of the finest in the world. In Whitby, enjoy kippers, a type of smoked herring, while Wales offers delicacies such as cockles (mollusks that are usually steamed or boiled) and laverbread, a traditional seaweed dish. And Cornwall is famous for its crab and lobster. 

Cornish pasty

While you’re in Cornwall, try a Cornish pasty: diced meat (traditionally beef), potatoes, turnips (swedes) and onions encased in a sturdy, crimped pastry shell, making it a convenient and hearty meal for miners and other laborers. Today, it remains a popular British snack, enjoyed hot or cold.

Countryside Retreats

The British countryside, with its cozy pubs and charming restaurants, is perfect for a gastronomic tour. Wine and dine U.K. hotel breaks are popular among tourists, offering comfortable stays and meals featuring British recipes and seasonal ingredients.

A Flavorful Tour of British Cuisine 

British cuisine, with its comforting yet exciting variety, reflects the diverse regions of the United Kingdom. From a full English breakfast to haggis, each dish tells a story of the land and its people. 

Whether you’re enjoying lunch in a village pub, savoring seafood on the coast, or munching on fish and chips by the seaside, the flavors of Britain will leave a lasting impression. –Mashum Mollah

London Neighborhood Guide: Discover the Best Locations

Looking for a rental home in London? Discover the perfect place to call home for your extended stay. From Hackney to Shoreditch and from Islington to Brixton, this comprehensive guide will help you make the right choice for your adventure in this vibrant metropolis.

London is a diverse and exciting city, boasting some of the world’s best sights and attractions. While there are numerous reasons that entice travelers to explore the U.K. capital, there are those who dream of making the Big Smoke their home for an extended stay.

Fortunately, finding a place that suits you has never been easier, thanks to websites like Rentola. It’s a rental home search engine, giving you access to thousands of listings worldwide.

So whether you’re relocating for work, studying abroad or planning an extended stay, we’ve got you covered, with our neighborhood guide to help you find your perfect home away from home.  

Hackney

This hip East London borough encompasses the neighborhoods of Hackney Downs, Hackney Central and London Fields, providing all sorts of apartments and houses for different budgets.

It’s a desirable choice for young families,  professionals and the creative crowd, who appreciate its proximity to the city center. Newly constructed flats mingle with Georgian-style houses and Tudor mansions, amid colorful street art and historic church steeples, the latter of which have remained largely unchanged since the 18th century. 

Mare Street, the primary thoroughfare of Hackney, stretches all the way south until it joins up with Regent’s Canal and becomes Cambridge Heath Road. Within its borders, you’ll discover a wide range of offerings, from cultural hubs to lively markets, plus plenty of green spaces — a whopping 696 acres (282 hectares) in total!

Hackney Downs

This neighborhood takes its name from the central park within its borders, and its expansive meadows make it the perfect spot for a leisurely Sunday picnic.

Set in a former print works factory on the park between Dalston and Clapton, Hackney Downs Studios offers a cool space for creative folks. You'll find co-working areas, artist studios, exhibition spots, shops and an all-day bar and restaurant called the Russet.

Hackney Central

In the heart of Hackney Central is the fantastic Hackney Empire, one of the East End’s finest Edwardian theaters. During its music hall era, legends like Charlie Chaplin, W.C. Fields, Stan Laurel and Julie Andrews graced its stage. Nowadays, it’s a versatile spot for comedy, live music, theater and even opera.

Hackney Central is also home to the bustling Bohemia Place Market, which features a weekly showcase of vegan food stalls. The presence of local microbreweries has turned it into a lively and buzzing spot (pun intended).

London Fields

London Fields is one of Hackney’s most beloved parks. It’s got two cool playgrounds for the kiddos, a nice pub and a year-round, heated, Olympic-sized swimming pool known as London Fields Lido.

Around the park, you’ve got a mix of old-school townhouses and trendy new buildings. And when you head south, you’ll hit Broadway Market, a lively spot full of places to eat and drink.

Islington

Nestled in the heart of North London, Islington is a highly sought-after neighborhood, attracting a mix of young professionals and families alike. If you’re thinking about moving to London, this is a solid choice, with its friendly vibe.

Islington offers a mix of traditional homes and newly constructed apartment buildings. But the most sought-after properties in the area are the elegant Georgian houses that line many of its streets.

In addition to its theaters, street markets, restaurants and bars, the borough is exceptionally well connected, with 16 Tube stations, providing convenient access to Central London.

For outdoor enthusiasts, the neighborhood is a combination of green spaces and squares interwoven with historic churches. Islington is known for the Angel, a historic landmark comprising a series of buildings situated on Islington Green and Upper Street. This vibrant shopping and entertainment hub includes Ottolenghi, the first restaurant concept by Israeli-born chef Yotam Ottolenghi.

For some offbeat shopping fun, check out Camden Passage. It’s a car-free zone packed with antique shops, pubs, restaurants and  cafés. And if you’re into early 20th century Italian Futurism, there's a cool museum near Canonbury Square you shouldn’t miss.

Shoreditch

Recognized for its edgy, energetic vibe, Shoreditch sits at the epicenter of the city’s artistic East End — the very place where Shakespeare first staged his plays.  

It’s also worth mentioning that Banksy and D*Face played significant roles in shaping this neighborhood, which is characterized by its ever-changing street art.

Shoreditch is abundant with creatives and professionals looking to live in one of the city’s most fashionable areas. Its mix of housing options provides a wide range of choices in terms of budget and style. Here, you’ll find classic Victorian and Georgian townhouses, as well as warehouses and factories that have been converted into flats.

Shoreditch High Street features indie shops, vintage boutiques and a bustling nightlife scene. You can discover some of the city’s finest dining spots, starting with street food served from stacked shipping containers that have been converted into shops and restaurants at Boxpark. And if you’re looking for something fancier, there's Lyle’s, which is housed in an old tea warehouse just across from Shoreditch Station. With three Tube stations, there’s no London address that’s out of reach. 

Brixton

Heading over to South London, Brixton is a cultural melting pot, attracting foodies, party people and artists from all walks of life. When strolling through Brixton Village or Electric Avenue (the first market street to be lit by electric lights, in the 1880s), a strong sense of community becomes evident, and you’ll frequently find locals enjoying a bevvy outside the Ritzy Picturehouse — a restored 1911 cinema featuring a café and bar.

Brixton is popular with creatives, families and professionals who want a peaceful place to live without being too far from the action. Many of the homes are single-family late Victorians, and you’ll even find some that have been converted into flats.

The hood holds a special place for music enthusiasts, with a rich legacy in reggae and punk music. Entertainment options include Brixton Jamm and Windmill Brixton, just to name a couple. For food enthusiasts and shoppers, Brixton Village and Market Row offer a mix of independent stalls, shops and dining spots, all influenced by the diversity of the neighborhood's residents. 

In addition, you can explore the outstanding Black Cultural Archives, an independently operated museum that provides valuable insights into the life experiences of individuals of African and Caribbean descent in Britain.

Peckham

Located a few miles southeast of the city center, the culturally diverse neighborhood of Peckham has become a trendy hood in South London. However, for those who appreciate a community with character and want to avoid an overly gentrified environment, it still has an edge.

Peckham has an artsy vibe, plenty of independent shops and lively street markets. This area includes the lovely Peckham Rye Park, a large green space where both locals and visitors enjoy leisurely walks, picnics and various recreational activities. Moreover, the neighborhood is home to a flourishing arts scene, replete with galleries, studios and cultural events.

Those considering living here will find a  range of affordable options, including modern and traditional family-friendly homes. The bustling business district off Rye Lane is highly coveted due to its charming cottages. In Peckham North, you’ll find young professionals and students living in charming flats situated above colorful shops.

Bermondsey

If you’re in search of historical charm, Bermondsey might be the ideal neighborhood to call home. Among the notable landmarks in this South London district is Tower Bridge, a Victorian masterpiece that spans the River Thames. 

The Bermondsey Street Festival unites the neighborhood every year. Exuding the charm of a village fête, and features a range of live entertainment, from theater performances to maypole dancing. However, its pièce de résistance is the crowd-pleasing annual dog show, which takes place in Leathermarket Gardens, so named because, during the Industrial Revolution, it prospered as a thriving hub for manufacturing and the leather trade.

This borough attracts young, affluent professionals with its varied properties, including apartments for rent along the River Thames, chic warehouse conversions and traditional townhouses. Its central location is well served by public transportation, and many parts of the city are accessible on foot.

With a bit of planning, you can find the perfect place to call home in this vibrant metropolis. What are your favorite neighborhoods in London? –Uliana Veremchuk

British Slang That Confuses Americans

That chav you were snogging is such a wanker. I thought he was a poofter but he got her up the duff. Learn what this means and other British expressions!

I must have a thing for British nannies. I collected two of them as good friends in my first years in Chicago: edgy and artsy Heather and the sassy, glam party girl Jo.

There were definitely some communication issues between me and my new mates — like mixing up snog and shag (there’s quite a difference between kissing someone and having sex with them).

For instance, it took me a while to realize that whenever a Brit said they were pissed, they actually meant drunk and not upset.

And then there’s wally, my name, which turns out to be an insult in Britain. It’s what you call someone’s who’s silly or inept. Heck, maybe it’s accurate after all.

Here are a few of my favorites British slang terms that you might want to add to your vocabulary.

Alright?: What’s up?

Like our expression, you don’t have to actually answer the question. People don’t really care if you’re alright or what is up. Responding, “Alright” right back to them is common, or you can just offer up another greeting.

Bender: Gay guy

The term is offensive, but I’m not sure if it’s as bad as calling someone a fag. I assume it comes from the idea of bending over. Not to be confused with what we call a bender in the States — an extensive alcoholic binge.

On the blob: On the rag, having your period

This disgusting term was one of Heather’s favorites. It’s funny that Americans focus on the product (rag meaning tampon or pad, one imagines), while the Brits have evoked a vivid image of the blood and uterine lining that come out during that time of the month.

Oh Bollocks GIF from Ohbollocks GIFs

Bollocks: Testicles; nonsense

I guess it’s like us seeing something ridiculous and yelling out, “Balls!”

Bugger: To butt-fuck

This word gets used in a variety of expressions, from telling someone to “bugger off” (go away) to a person who knows “bugger all” (nothing).

Chat up: to flirt

A guy at a bar might see a girl and say he’s going to “chat her up.”

Vicky OMG GIF from Vicky GIFs

Chav: Britain’s version of white trash

Chavs are label whores, wearing designer sportswear (sometimes just the knockoffs). They’re known for being loud and obnoxious. Chavs can be hot, in a trashy way.

Chuffed: Pleased

I don’t know why, but I always thought this meant upset. Maybe cuz it’s a mix of “chafed” and “huff.” Turns out it’s the opposite, though. Being chuffed’s a good thing.

Cock up: Mess up

No, this isn’t a term for an erection. You might say you really cocked something up.

Cracking: Excellent

We might not want something that’s cracked, but the Brits think it’s a desirable state.

Daft: Silly, foolish

Guess this gives new meaning to the band Daft Punk.

Up the duff: Pregnant

What’s odd is that a duff is a flour pudding boiled or steamed in a cloth bag. Coincidence?

I’m easy: I’m flexible, I’ll do what whatever

In the United States, this would be stating that you’re a slut. In Britain, it means you’re a go-with-the-flow kind of person.

Woman Smokes Pall Malls GIF from Smoke GIFs

Fag: Cigarette

When someone wants a fag, it’s good to know what they’re asking for.

Fagged: Tired

Maybe it’s cuz gays are so dramatic all the time, it’s exhausting. (Though it probably has more to do with the concept of the “fag end,” or the very end of something.)

Fancy dress: Costume

If you get invited to a fancy dress party, they’re really saying to wear a costume. Weird, I know. How is dressing like a sexy nurse being “fancy”?

Fanny: Pussy, vagina

This one really cracks those Brits up. We say fanny for butt (though it’s not very common anymore). But we do talk about fanny packs when we travel — which is like saying you’re going to wear your pussy pack.

Fit: Hot, good-looking

It doesn’t necessarily mean the person is in good shape, but maybe that just goes with the territory.

Get off: Have sex

It sounds crass when you say it that way. But when you get off with someone, you’ve gotten lucky.

Gutted: Disappointed, upset

Just like a flayed fish, I guess.

Jammy: Lucky

This doesn’t mean you’re slathered in strawberry preserves — unless that’s your idea of good luck.

Jumper: Sweater

In the U.S., a girl might wear a little dress we call a jumper, but the word has another connotation in England.

Kerfuffle: Commotion, fuss

This is a popular expression from one of our favorite sketch comedy shows, Little Britain. The characters always seem to be getting into a right kerfuffle.

Sleepy GIF from Sleepy GIFs

Knackered: Extremely tired

Jo always seemed to be “bloody knackered.” I didn’t dub her the Rock ’n’ Roll Nanny for nuthin’.

Knob: Penis, jerk, idiot, dork

We call someone who’s a jerk a dick, but knob seems to be a more general insult for anyone you don’t like.

Prat: Dumbass, idiot

Don’t feel like one if you don’t know this word. But it’s always nice to know when you’re being insulted.

After The Fourth Drink GIF from Drinking GIFs

Pissed: Drunk

When you’re pissed in America, you’re really upset about something. In Britain, you’ve just had too much to drink.

Pissing around, pissing about: Wasting time, acting immature

No, it doesn’t mean urinating in a circle.

Taking the piss (out of someone): Making fun of someone

Oh boy, this one was an odd one to hear. I have no idea why removing someone’s urine would translate to teasing, but every language has its bizarre expressions.

Cableguy Tounge GIF from Cableguy GIFs

Poof, poofter: Fag, male homosexual

Usually used to describe someone overly effeminate.

On the pull: Trying to get laid

Guess you’re trying to lure someone in.

Quid: Pound

We’re talking currency here, folks. It’s the equivalent of how we call a dollar a buck in the U.S.

Read: Major in

I read English in college, so I had to read a lot of English literature. It sounds weird to me that you can read business, medicine, law or the like.

Made redundant: Get laid off

The American expression just doesn’t seem as brutal as the British one. It’s like, Sorry, you’re no longer useful; you’re superfluous. That’s just kicking someone when they’re down.

Shag Austin Powers GIF from Shag GIFs

Shag: Fuck

Don’t confuse this with snog. Brits can shag on a shag carpet.

Get shirty: Be annoyed, in a bad mood

I wonder what about being like this particular article of clothing translates to a foul mood.

Slag: Slut, promiscuous person

Slag is a byproduct of the smelting process. Maybe the connotation with people is that they’re castoffs. 

Slag someone off: To bitch someone out, criticize

If your significant other is always slagging you off, they’re not worth your time.

Pee Pants GIF from Peepants GIFs

Go for a slash, have a slash: To take a piss

Not sure what the connection to slashing is, but this is a colorful phrase Duke and I have adopted.

Snog: To kiss

Keep in mind that snogging isn’t shagging. The definitions I found online add an element of cuddling to this verb.

Tosser: Idiot

This is literally a guy who masturbates. Not sure why that got equated with a general insult.

Trainers: Tennis shoes, sneakers

The British word probably makes more sense than ours. I mean, how many people actually play tennis or sneak around in their gym shoes?

Trolleyed: Wasted, very drunk

We have these trolleys in Chicago that you can rent for the night and get drunk on. Though somehow I don’t think that’s the origin of this word.

Twee: Too stinkin’ cute

Listen to She & Him or go to Anthropologie to experience this word in action. I like to mix American slang with British to say something is totes twee.

Wanker: Jerk, dick, asshole

Again, like tosser, this is someone who jerks off. And again, why is that an insult? I mean, let he who is without sin cast the first stone, etc., etc. –Wally

Wankers GIF from Queen GIFs

The Ups and Downs of Running a Somerset Inn

The Bowlish House, a gem of Georgian architecture near Bath and Wells, honors the past, while the English village of Shepton Mallet marches into the modern era.

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The Bowlish House in the village of Shepton Mallet is a beautiful inn and wedding venue

 

I met Len and Martin many years ago when they were living in a three flat they owned in Evanston, Illinois that they had lovingly restored. Their home, on the top floor, was tastefully appointed with a mix of traditional furnishings and antiques (Martin ran an antique business, which I briefly worked for, and Len ran the Chicago Children's Memorial White Elephant Resale Shop).

According to Len, the property was haunted, particularly the front entrance hall and basement. “I never saw the bearded man who walked up and down the front stairs, but others did. In the basement, you would get an occasional sighting of a woman in 1920s dress. You always knew when she was around, as the scent of patchouli was in the air.”

“The Bowlish House’s drawing room was featured in the compelling BBC series “Broadchurch.””

Len and I caught up recently and it was not a complete surprise to discover that he and Martin had moved to the U.K. and purchased the Bowlish House, a storied historic guesthouse in the town of Shepton Mallet. The drawing room was featured in the compelling BBC series Broadchurch. –Duke

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You don’t have to be staying at the Bowlish House to enjoy tea or a drink in the Georgian Room, modeled after an English country house

What led you to the village of Shepton Mallet?

When we first moved to Britain, we tried to find jobs that we thought would be satisfactory, but what we were used to does not exist. So we decided to either run a pub or an inn. After looking for a year, we found the Bowlish House listed on an online real estate site. It was the right size and also the right price.

How’d the town get its unusual name?
The town got its name from two brothers, Roger and Robert Mallet (pronounced “mal-lay”) who fought with William the Conqueror when the Normans invaded England in 1066. Shepton is an old word for a sheep enclosure. All the money here was made in the woolen trade.

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One of the bedrooms at the Bowlish House

How did you decide to start a B&B?
We actually bought the business that was up and running, though not doing well. We then set to turning it around, which has been quite successful. However, the downside is that the amount of maintenance required on a 300-year-old house is shocking.

Did you renovate at all?

We are continuously working on the house to upgrade it and also to bring back the look of a country house in the 18th century.

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Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available in the Cape Cod Room at the Bowlish House, where diners can enjoy panoramic views of the gardens

Are there any fun local traditions?

Unfortunately, the most popular local activity seems to be getting drunk and brawling on the high street, with an occasional bit of Morris dancing thrown in.

What is there to do in town?

The town is minute and suffers the same fate of most rural English villages have: the shopping mall. All the little shops are gone and have been replaced by Chinese takeaways. It is much better to drive 10 minutes to the city of Wells. Farther afield are Bath and Bristol, which are worth a visit.

What’s Bath like?

Bath is second only to London where style, fashion and the arts are concerned. Lots of beautiful and occasionally quirky architecture, interesting museums and nice restaurants. It is also very expensive to live there. I like going there when I need to reconnect with my inner city persona.

Any interesting or funny stories about guests or running the inn?
Yes there are stories — most are gross or indecent or both, though.

What’s the most charming part of British village life?

Nice pubs, when you come across them. Market days, some of the antiques shops, castles and gardens and the most amazing wildlife. You can see foxes and hedgehogs in the wild. I’m not too wild about the giant slugs, though. Some of the smells are not so good, particularly from the pig farms.

Has Brexit affected you at all?

It’s too early to tell about Brexit. The pound has certainly dropped, but it is a benefit to me, as my pensions are in U.S. dollars (yes, I am that old), so I get more than I did a few months ago.

And what the heck do Brits think about Trump?

The Donald is considered a huge joke here. There is a sort of horror and amusement regarding him and his politics. There is absolutely no way that any politician here would ever get away the stuff he does. Another aside is that is any politician here started in about their religion, it would be total political suicide.

Guy Fawkes Day / Bonfire Night: A Bizarre British Holiday

The British remember, remember the 5th of November. But who exactly was Guy Fawkes — and why do kids burn his effigy?

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Bonfire Night can be a bit scary — a time when Brits burn effigies and, apparently, even crosses

To the outsider, November 5, Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Day, can seem horrifying. I mean, who wouldn’t be creeped out by children creating effigies of Fawkes as well as the Pope — and then throwing them atop bonfires and cheering as they burn?

Here’s the story behind this bizarre British holiday.

“The authorities had quite the execution planned for the traitor. They were going to lop off his testicles and cut his stomach open so he could watch his own guts spill out.”

It goes back to the British struggle between Catholics and Protestants.

King James I, despite having a Catholic mother, Mary Queen of Scots, who was executed, continued the persecution of Catholics begun by his predecessor, Queen Elizabeth I. In 1604, he condemned Catholicism as superstition and ordered all priests to leave the country. The next year, 13 young men decided to take violent action in protest.

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Guy (who preferred to be called Guido) Fawkes and his cohorts in the Gunpowder Plot. There were two Wrights involved, though hopefully they weren’t related to me

Guy Fawkes wasn’t the leader of the terrorists.

A man named Robert Catesby led the group, devising the plan: blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill the king — and hopefully throw in the next in line, the Prince of Wales and some members of Parliament.

“In the meantime, as Fawkes escaped by boat across the River Thames, his fellow conspirators would start an uprising in the English Midlands, kidnap James’ daughter Elizabeth, install her as a puppet queen and eventually marry her off to a Catholic, thereby restoring the Catholic monarchy,” the History channel reports.

The plot involved 36 barrels of gunpowder — which, it turns out, wouldn’t have done much.

The gunpowder was placed in the cellar below the House of Lords. In theory, it could have blown Parliament to bits. But some experts think it had decayed to such a state it might not have fully ignited, according to The Telegraph.

And he wasn’t even born Catholic.

While his maternal grandparents were Catholic, Fawkes’ parents were Protestant. But after his dad died, his mom remarried a Catholic when Fawkes was 8. He converted to the faith when he was a teenager.

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An effigy of Guy Fawkes before it’s burned on Bonfire Night in England

One member of the group seems to have betrayed the plot.

Some of the rebels started to realize that innocents — and even those sympathetic to their cause — would be what we today call “collateral damage” and began having second thoughts. There’s a theory that someone in the gang sent a letter detailing what would become known as the Gunfire Plot to Lord Monteagle.

The letter eventually found its way to the king.

Guy Fawkes was caught red-handed.

The reason Fawkes is the best-known British traitor is that the poor sucker was in the cellar when the king’s forces raided. He must’ve drawn the short straw, for it was his job to light the explosives.

Incidentally, that cellar no longer exists. It was part of the 1834 fire that destroyed much of the medieval structure.

Every year at the opening of session, the yeoman of the guard checks to make sure there aren’t any conspirators plotting in the cellars. “This has become more of a tradition than a serious anti-terrorist precaution,” The Telegraph writes.

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Bonfire Night celebrations take place in front of Windsor Castle in this illustration from 1776

The tradition of lighting a bonfire began that very night.

The people celebrated the king’s escape by lighting bonfires. Nowadays, the tradition continues, along with setting off fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes, the Pope and sometimes politicians (Trump, anyone?) and celebrities.

“In 1677, an elaborate Pope effigy was burned with live cats in its stomach, so their cries would symbolize the sound of the devil whispering in the Pope’s ear,” according to Vox.

Fawkes wasn't actually executed.

The authorities had quite the execution planned for the traitor. They were going to lop off his testicles and cut his stomach open so he could watch his own guts spill out before his eyes, The Telegraph reports.

But Fawkes foiled them. He leapt to his death, dying from a broken neck.

That didn’t stop them from chopping him into pieces.

One of the favorite ways of disposing of the bodies of those who were executed was a practice known as drawn and quartering. It’s a bit like it sounds: The body was divided into four parts. Fawkes’ mutilated corpse was sent to “the four corners of the kingdom” — to teach would-be traitors a lesson, one would imagine.

King James admired Fawkes.

Before his suicide, Fawkes was tortured for two days straight, refusing to admit his part in the Gunpowder Plot. At one point, he was asked why they had so much gunpowder and he replied, “To blow you Scotch beggars back to your native mountains.”

He eventually caved, but lasted long enough to have the monarch say he was impressed by his “Roman resolution.”

Guy preferred to be called Guido.

He felt the Italian variant of his name better suited a Catholic. In fact, when he was forced to sign a document admitting his role in the Gunpowder Plot, he signed it Guido Fawkes.

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This is one of the more horrific effigies created for Guy Fawkes Day

Children wheeled around their effigy, begging for “a penny for the Guy.”

As they went along, they’d sing this song, which dates back to around 19870:

The Fifth of November
 

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 and his companions
Did the scheme contrive, 
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive. 
Threescore barrels, laid below, 
To prove old England’s overthrow. 
But, by God’s providence, him they catch, 
With a dark lantern, lighting a match! 
A stick and a stake
For King James’s sake! 
 

If you won’t give me one, 
I’ll take two, 
The better for me, 
And the worse for you. 
A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope, 
A penn’orth of cheese to choke him, 
A pint of beer to wash it down, 
And a jolly good fire to burn him. 
 

Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring! 
Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King! 
Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!

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A scene from Alan Moore’s V for Vendetta graphic novel

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Guy Fawkes masks have swept the world, as seen in this group in Vienna, Austria

Popular culture has referenced Fawkes.

The masks in the graphic novel and movie V for Vendetta feature Guy Fawkes. The masks have become the go-to for the hacker group Anonymous.

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Dumbledore’s phoenix, Fawkes, from an exhibit on The Making of Harry Potter

And in the Harry Potter books, Headmaster Dumbledore’s phoenix is named Fawkes for its propensity to spontaneously combust. (Don’t worry — phoenixes always rise from the ashes.) –Wally

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