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Remembering the 5th of November
By Karen | 5 November 2009
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 (or by God’s mercy)
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, let the bells ring. (Holla)
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
That very effective rhyme has ensured that we do indeed remember the 5th of November. It’s an echo from early modern times to our own – and an excuse for some early modern fun!
It’s a violent memory. The highlight of festivities is often the burning of the Guy:
Guy, guy, guy
Poke him in the eye,
Put him on the bonfire,
And there let him die
I saw my first Guy at Ladbroke Grove Tube (of all places!) in 1992 after moving to the UK from the US. Some children wanted a penny for their Guy. But why? What’s it all about?
You can find an interactive explanation for children at the Parliamentary Archives (kids). There’s also a version for grown-ups at Parliamentary Archives (adults) which includes some interesting broadside accounts of early fireworks displays.
At the centre of the plot is the mysterious Guy Fawkes himself. Find out more about him here: Who was the real Guy Fawkes. If the Gunpowder Plot had been successful it would have looked something like this.
In recent years Fawkes has returned to iconic status thanks to the film V for Vendetta in 2005. You can make your own V for Vendetta styled Fawkes mask – assuming you’re confident about not being thrown into the nearest bonfire – by following the instructions here.
Throwing someone or something into the fire is an expression with a clear meaning. See here for some modern guys who will face the flames this year.
The Guy Fawkes & Bonfire Nights Global Website includes links to Bonfire Night societies and for events.
Some other listings can be found at:
The Times: Best Bonfires
Bonfire Night Listings at Visit London
Bonfire Night Listings at View London
Cheap or Free Fireworks Displays in London
Wimbledon and South London
Bonfire Nights in South East England
Fireworks Displays in Bristol
Manchester
Liverpool
Newcastle and the North East
Oxford
Cambridge
Bonfire Night and Fireworks in Dorset
Bonfires in North Yorkshire
Edinburgh (fireworks only)
Edinburgh and Lothians
North East Scotland
If you’re planning to do your own bonfire and firework display, have a thought for hedgehogs: Chris Packham on hibernation at Autumnwatch, How can we help hedgehogs?, Bonfire Night Advice from the Wildlife Trust.
And pets:
Cats stress levels rocket on Bonfire Night
Dogs and Fireworks Fear
Dogs, Cats and Rabbits at This Morning.
You can find more advice on bonfire and firework safety here: Child Accident Prevention Trust.
But it’s not all serious! Find some Bonfire Night recipes here and here.
To find out more about the history try: And find some more musings from Dainty Ballerinahere.
And visit Ashmolean Collections for a unique survival from the night of the 5th of November. (The Ashmolean Museum will re-open on 7 November 2009 following a major redevelopment.)
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