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1487–8 in Dugdale's Monasticon Anglicanum (1846) III. 359/1 Item vpon ij. bonefirenyghts paid for brede and ale xij^d.

1556 J. Ponet Shorte Treat. Politike Power sig. Diiij Hauing bleared the common peoples eies with processioning, Te deum singing, and bonefire banketting.

1579 G. Gilpin tr. P. van Marnix van Sant Aldegonde Bee Hiue of Romishe Church ix. f. 61^v The other saint Peters day, which is commonly called Saint Peters Seate: is not that come in place of another bonefire daye, which the Heathen did obserue at the same time?

1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iii. iii. 40 Thou art a perpetuall triumph, an euerlasting bonefire light. View more context for this quotation

1614 A. Gorges tr. Lucan Pharsalia i. 25 The gallant Townes that bordering rankes On either side of Varus bankes Doe publique bone-fire-feasting make.

1650 S. Fairclough Prisoners Praises 23 Bell-joy, Table-joy, Musick-joy, and Bonefire-joy in a day of Thanksgiving.

1690 Hist. Wars Ireland 111 Bonfire-Works..were no sooner lighted, but the Allarm-Signal was given.

1781 T. Holcroft Duplicity 80 His bouncing passion bursts like bonfire squib.

1804 J. Collins in Scripscrapologia 77 With ruddy health in a cheek that glows, Like the bon-fire blaze of a Bardolph's nose.

1878 M. D. Bonfire & what came of It 13 Now bonfire-making was a very favourite play with us all.

1897 Daily News 25 June 2/6 We saw the huge cloud-cap of Skiddaw, that had troubled the hearts of bonfire enthusiasts all the day, move slowly up the side of the ‘Little Man’.

1921 C. N. Williamson & A. M. Williamson Brightener iii. ii. 206 The air was faintly acrid with the scent of bonfire smoke.

1968 Listener 7 Nov. 606/1 Have you heard, the Touch-Paceys are economising this year by combining their children's bonfire party with their annual fancy dress rave?

2007 Times 3 Nov. 4/5 Five people were taken to hospital last night after a fairground ride collapsed at a charity bonfire display in Suffolk.