Remember, Remember the Fifth of November

This year Emily and I were able to join in on a 400 year old tradition of celebrating Guy Fawkes day. My college, Wolfson, is notorious for having a half hour long fireworks show and a huge bonfire. They amassed wood for weeks in preparation for this event.

Guy Fawkes bonfire

Emily was able to attend a couple of Guy Fawkes celebrations and in both experiences we noticed a few things.

Fireworks at Wolfson College

First, Guy Fawkes day is comparable to the fourth of July in the United States. Not because it is the day the British celebrate freedom or independence, but rather it is because it is a day filled with fire, fireworks, and family.


Second, what is even more wonderful about Guy Fawkes day is the fact that not many British people could tell us why we were even celebrating it. The most accurate answer was, "I don't know...some guy did something and they caught him." Very profound.

Liz, AKA, Queen Elizabeth

The reality is quite an interesting story. Guy Fawkes, a Protestant, wanted to help assassinate the king who was Catholic. Logical. So he was put in charge of storing and protecting a large amount of gunpowder placed in the basement of Parliament that they would use to blow the building up. He was found in the early morning of November 5, 1605 and was later tortured and hung for his crime. Can you think of a better reason to have fireworks and bonfires? If I was in charge of England for a day, move over Liz (See picture to the left), every child would be required to learn that story. But I digress..



So the natural conclusion is they stopped a giant terrorist attack and now they build a giant bonfire and burn effigies of Guy Fawkes because they can. No, he was not burned at the stake, so why the bonfire? I have no idea. Probably because everybody needs an excuse to become a pyromaniac in their life.

A British nursery rhyme to remember Guy Fawkes. Way cooler than "Mary Had a Little Lamb"...

Remember, remember the fifth of November

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I 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!