Remember, Remember ...

Tonight across the country bonfires will be lit, guys burned and fireworks let off in celebration of the discovery of the failed Bonfire Plot of 5 November 1605.

The plot, in which explosives were placed in the undercroft of the Palace of Westminster, ended in the trial and execution of Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators who attempted to assassinate the Protestant King James I of England and replace him with a Catholic monarch.

In 1606, this day was declared a public holiday, Thanksgiving Day, and was commemorated for many years by the ringing of church bells along with special services and appropriate sermons. Bonfires and the burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes (the ‘guy’) started soon after the discovery of the plot and this gradually evolved into today’s festivities.

I guess that the majority of youngsters these days have heard of Guy Fawkes but have only a vague idea, if any, of the circumstances in which he is memorialised this evening, and it’s unlikely that many have a clue as to why the conspirators wanted to kill the king. The emphasis these days is to set off as many fireworks as possible in the longest period of time.

The last government imposed stricter controls on fireworks, reducing their strength and decibel-ratings but Bonfire Night is, alas, an annual event in which many people, young and old, get burned setting them off. I suppose that not much can be done about this unless, as in some US states and other places, fireworks are banned except in professionally organised displays.

In any event, Happy and Safe Bonfire Night!

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
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