Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason, and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Today is Guy Fawkes Day or Bonfire Day in the UK. The poem above is one that school children learn. Here's the story...in 1605, a band of 13 Catholic men conspired to bring Catholicism back as the official religion by blowing up the House of Lords (with King James I [of England, James VI of Scotland] and sons inside). They stored up 36 kegs of gunpowder in a cellar below the House of Lords. Guy Fawkes was appointed to light the fuse. In the middle of the night (between Nov 4 and 5), he and the others were arrested. They were later tortured and killed in the Tower of London.
On the night of Nov 5, 1605, and every Nov 5th since, bonfires have been set to celebrate the safety of the King. Many people burn Guy Fawkes in effigy. Even today, the reigning monarch only enters Parliament once a year, on "the State Opening of Parliament". According to custom, even today the Yeomen of the Guard search the cellars of the Palace of Westminster before the Queen enters Parliament.
Thanks to a 402 year old celebration, tonight we've seen a lot of fireworks--luckily no fires...at least not yet.
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1 comment:
Trying again to post a comment.
If it works, I'll make it more interesting next time!!
Ha!
Becky
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