Bonfire Night is steeped in history and has many traditions associated with it. Here are some of them explained.

Guys: The burning of life-sized effigies of Guy Fawkes on bonfires is a relatively new custom.

Dummies have been burned on bonfires since as long ago as the 13th century, initially to drive away evil spirits.

Following the gunpowder plot of 1605, the focus of the sacrifices switched to Guy Fawkes' treason.

The tradition started early in the 17th century but it was effigies of the Pope which were burned at first to mark the gunpowder plot. It was not until 1806 that people started burning effigies of Guy Fawkes instead.

Penny for the guy: This tradition started when, for a few days before Bonfire Night, children would take their homemade guys out on to the street asking for a penny for the guy from adults. The money would be spent on fireworks or sweets, though today's children would be more likely to demand a pound for the guy. Children also used to blacken their faces, as Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators might have done.

Bonfires: The word bonfire conjures up visions of warmth, happy faces and baked potatoes, but one suggested origin is much darker.

It is said the word bonfire derives from 'bone-fire', and comes from a time when the bodies of witches, heretics and other misfits were burned instead of being buried in holy ground.

Another suggestion is that bone fires' actually refers to the burning of meat bones after feasts. The bones were thrown on fires and the ashes were then spread on the land.

Parliament: The Houses of Parliament are still searched by the Yeomen of the Guard before the state opening which has been held in November since 1928. The idea is to ensure no modern-day Guy Fawkes is concealed in the cellars.

Obviously, this is more of a ceremonial custom than a serious security exercise.