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, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
Hooray! It's Guy Fawkes Night! We all get to go out and burn an effigy of a 17th century Catholic rebel!!!
Actually, it's all a bit sterile these days. Because of the import of 'trick or treating' at Hallowe'en, which now seems to take priority (damn you Americans!!!
), children no longer go scrounging for firewood for their bonfires, or money for fireworks, which they are no longer allowed to buy anyway. Back in the seventies and eighties, kids would mount a guard on their bonfire to make sure no-one stole the wood, and would go on foraging forays themselves, raiding other's piles.
And when was the last time anyone saw a child asking 'penny for the Guy' with a half decent Guy to burn?
I don't know how many of you know the history of the day; apparently it was called Pope's Day in the days of colonial America, but it was banned (quite rightly) as anti-Catholic and pro-British, by Washington.
But it commemorates the plot by a group intent on restoring a Catholic absolutist monarchy to the English throne, to blow up the Houses of Parliament at their annual opening in 1605, when all parliamentarians and King James 1st would be present. The plot came within a few hours of being executed when Fawkes was caught in the cellars with so many barrels of gunpowder they would have blown a large hole in London, let alone the Palace of Westminster.
Fawkes and his associates were all caught and sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered (back in the day when capital punishment really emphasised the punishment!). But Fawkes jumped from the gallows, breaking his neck, and thus avoided having his innards removed and burnt before his eyes (who thought these things up, for God's sake?).
So tonight will be bonfires and fireworks, beef tea, and baked potatoes, faggots and peas (they're meatballs, in case you're wondering), bonfire toffee and parkin. And hopefully no rain!
For a little more on why Guy Fawkes night is such good fun, you may like this short article...
The Real Festival of Britain
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli'ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England's overthrow;
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
Hooray! It's Guy Fawkes Night! We all get to go out and burn an effigy of a 17th century Catholic rebel!!!
Actually, it's all a bit sterile these days. Because of the import of 'trick or treating' at Hallowe'en, which now seems to take priority (damn you Americans!!!
), children no longer go scrounging for firewood for their bonfires, or money for fireworks, which they are no longer allowed to buy anyway. Back in the seventies and eighties, kids would mount a guard on their bonfire to make sure no-one stole the wood, and would go on foraging forays themselves, raiding other's piles.And when was the last time anyone saw a child asking 'penny for the Guy' with a half decent Guy to burn?
I don't know how many of you know the history of the day; apparently it was called Pope's Day in the days of colonial America, but it was banned (quite rightly) as anti-Catholic and pro-British, by Washington.
But it commemorates the plot by a group intent on restoring a Catholic absolutist monarchy to the English throne, to blow up the Houses of Parliament at their annual opening in 1605, when all parliamentarians and King James 1st would be present. The plot came within a few hours of being executed when Fawkes was caught in the cellars with so many barrels of gunpowder they would have blown a large hole in London, let alone the Palace of Westminster.
Fawkes and his associates were all caught and sentenced to be hung, drawn and quartered (back in the day when capital punishment really emphasised the punishment!). But Fawkes jumped from the gallows, breaking his neck, and thus avoided having his innards removed and burnt before his eyes (who thought these things up, for God's sake?).
So tonight will be bonfires and fireworks, beef tea, and baked potatoes, faggots and peas (they're meatballs, in case you're wondering), bonfire toffee and parkin. And hopefully no rain!
For a little more on why Guy Fawkes night is such good fun, you may like this short article...
The Real Festival of Britain
VIEW 6 of 6 COMMENTS
It sounds like a fabulous holiday. And having a holiday based on people standing up for what they feel is right. Ok, there is the whole blowing up a building thing... lol
Strip Trivial Pursuit??? I'd be naked in no time! I'm horrible at Trivial Pursuit. lol And I think you're pretty wonderful too, love.
That hotel is in Horsley. And it was Ada Lovelace's old home once.
I love fireworks night. It's a shame it's tipping it down right now. Good old England! x