What is the current understanding that average Brits have of Guy Fawkes night? How is it commemorated?

The basic outline of Guy Fawkes Night is this.

In 1606, a group of Catholic conspirators attempted to blow up King James I at the state opening of Parliament. They had the rather mad idea that eliminating the ( Protestant) King would help to restore Catholic power in England. (Not James II - That was over 80 years later and, ironically, he got the boot for being too Catholic...). They failed and were either executed or killed while attempting to escape from the authorities.

Originally bonfires were lit to celebrate the foiling of the plot and the survival of the King. Burning effigies of Guy Fawkes were probably part of it from the start, but the fireworks came a bit later. It became a tradition in England and has continued for many years. Originally it was a noisy but reasonably harmless celebration, consisting of small boys with badly made "Guy's" going around asking for 'penny for the guy', bonfires which made the air thick with smoke, and the noise of fireworks around the 5th November. A few idiots would manage to set fire to the garden shed or blow off a few fingers with a firecracker, but generally it was a manageable situation.

Unfortunately, in recent years, shops have taken to selling fireworks pretty much all year round, often not being bothered about selling them to children (illegally), rather than restricting sales to just a few weeks before Guy Fawkes Night. As a result, gormless chav rabble and local yobs let these things off morning, noon and night throughout October and November, annoying local residents and leaving their pets looking like they've just come back from World War One with PTSD.

About three years ago, some muppet launched a large airburst firework rocket which hit the side of my house. I'm amazed it didn't break any windows when it went off. F*cking Hell! I thought the local Islamic Fundamentalists had got hold of an RPG.

Essentially, political correctness may have resulted in the original meaning of Guy Fawkes Night being somewhat diluted, but it has done nothing to stop the purchase of fireworks by irresponsible idiots who think that a two month barrage is the way to go.

Don't know about sausages and door to door, but potatoes and street corners were in use last year.

Spanish collaborator and traitor.

At least, that's the way people back then saw it.

You have to understand that it was as much about potential conflict and strife as it was civil affairs.