Remember, remember the Fifth of November

Tonight is Guy Fawkes Night, AKA Bonfire Night. This is England's celebration of something that didn't actually happen, as K so succinctly put it. The quick history behind it:

In the 17th century there was a group of people in England who were not happy with the current government. They enlisted the help of a mercenary from Yorkshire, Guy Fawkes. He led a band of rebels in a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament, thusly decapitating the government. They dug a tunnel into the basement of the H of P, placed 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar, and prepared it to be detonated on the 5th of November, 1605. However, one of the conspirators that hired Fawkes started feeling guilty and so tipped off one of the big-wigs at the H of P. They searched the cellars and found Guy Fawkes with his barrels of gunpowder. The Gunpowder Plot was quashed.

This non-event is celebrated every year all over the country with fireworks and bonfires. To bring the symbolism full-circle, an effigy of Guy Fawkes is commonly thrown into the blaze. This night is of course also an excuse to "have a piss-up" (get drunk) and generally run amok. It's kind of like America's Fourth of July celebrations. Even though tonight is the official Guy Fawkes night, people have been lighting fireworks since about two weeks ago and will probably continue to do so for about two weeks after. Unlike the US, where most states seem to have outlawed fireworks, they have not been banned in the UK... yet (the Nanny State has not gotten around to it yet, I guess).

We are going to partake in this English celebration tonight by going to Winchester's "Guy Fawkes 2005". There will be a "procession" through town, presumably to carry an effigy of Guy Fawkes, to the park where the Mayor will light the bonfire, and then of course the fireworks will follow. Should at least be an interesting taste of English culture!

"Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was his intent
To blow up king and parliament.
Three score barrels were laid below
To prove old England's overthrow.

By god's mercy he was catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.

And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!"


-RP-