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5th of November:
Gunpowder Plot
For most Europeans, the 5th of November is simply yet another holiday where you get to burn things and take in a fireworks show. On the face of it, this is more than enough reason to celebrate a holiday in my books. North Americans, who don't celebrate the 5th of November, often only know of it because of the excellent movie V For Vendetta. But the 5th of November historically is a lot more than that. Roman Catholic Guy Fawkes, who had previous military experience, and was considered an explosives expert, was handpicked to lead the failed Gunpowder Plot.
King James I or King James VI
Dating back to 1605, the 5th of November is the story of Roman Catholic Guy Fawkes, or Guido Fawkes, and his failed Gunpowder Plot to assassinate the Protestant King James I of England also known as King James VI of Scotland. Fawkes also intended to kill members of both English Houses of Parliament, the House of Lords and House of Commons, because the King was addressing both Houses. The Gunpowder Plot intended to blow up Westminster Palace during the State opening of Parliament.
Guy Fawkes
Caught red-handed in a daring early-morning raid on November 5th, 1605, in a cellar rented to John Johnson, the fictional alter ego of Guy Fawkes, with a watch, slow matches, and touchpaper in his possession. And with 1800 pounds or 36 barrels of gunpowder hidden in it beneath the House of Lords, Guy Fawkes was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered for the high crime of treason. On January 31st, 1606, Guido Fawkes managed to cheat the executioner by jumping from the gallows, thereby snapping his own neck. Co-conspirator Robert Keyes also tried to cheat the executioner, but his rope snapped so he was tortured fully conscious.
Bonfire Night
On the 5th of November, also called Guy Fawkes Night, Bonfire Night, Fireworks Night, or Plot Night, burning Guy Fawkes' effigies and setting off fireworks, traditionally celebrates a day of infamy and its near catastrophe for the English Protestants. Prior to the 5th, kids make "guys" or effigies of Guy Fawkes and beg for money for fireworks by chanting, "Penny for the Guy." During the celebrations, people then recite the lyrics to the infamous haunting poem while burning the effigies:
Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
A. Ryan Robbins of ycopfiles.com wrote this article. Why cop files dot com? It's Computer Information Security articles for the Law Enforcement community! Follow me on FriendFeed. Track me on Twitter. Subscribe to my News Feeds for free. Or read the Blog Frog to learn more about me.
Copyright (c) 2006, 2008 A. Ryan Robbins. All Rights Reserved.
