In the UK, November is the traditional month for fireworks. These used to be around a bonfire on which was put a ‘Guy’, which everyone would watch burn as the bonfire blazed.

The ‘Guy’ of course represented Guy Fawkes, that dastardly traitor who was part of a conspiracy to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605.

Whilst bonfires are now banned in West Hunsbury Parks (along with barbecues and any open fires), that was not always the case.

Long before the Country Park was actually established (by Northampton Development Corporation in the 1970’s, opening in 1981) the Hillfort was the site chosen in 1631 for the execution by burning at the stake of a Mrs. Lucas, apparently for poisoning her husband.

This little gem of a fact has been sourced from West Northants Council’s website, and is one of the few facts given to describe the “historical context and Celtic origins [of the] Hill Fort”.

Unfortunately, we have no other information about the crime, the execution or Mrs. Lucas (although we do have a tenuous link to another Fun Fact, for which you will have to wait a couple of months, I’m afraid).

It seems strange for the execution to be an isolated incident unless, of course, it was ‘inspired’ by Guy Fawkes’ execution in 1606.