It was November 5th, and we had never heard of Guy Fawkes before. As we sat in the grandstand of the Weston Super Mare Rugby Football Club, watching fireworks getting launched into the cloud deck 100 feet over our head, we learned the story.
Guy was a Catholic, in an England still in the grips of religious war. Guy formed a gang, and plotted to blow up the Houses of Parliament - and King James - in what's known as the Gunpowder Plot.
The plot was betrayed, and Parliament saved. Guy and company were hung, drawn, and quartered. It was such a jolly good time that ever since Brits build enormous great bonfires, and burn "The Guy" in effigy. In this enlightened age of Tolerance, the Pope is (mostly) mo longer burned as well.
Naturally, adult beverages are enjoyed. So build a fire, open a beverage, and join in the jolly good fun. Even if fireworks aren't being launched into the rain.
Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot.
Of course, the victors write history and brainwash us all, perhaps will those who control the drones
ReplyDeleteForget about Skynet.
I would celebrate it more (as an Englishman) if it hadn't been hijacked along with the Guy-masks and fake Vendetta-populism by the OWS crowd of Stalinists...
ReplyDeleteKids used to make "Guy" effigies to be burned on the bonfire.
ReplyDeleteThey'd hawk their Guys, calling out "penny for the Guy!" and if the Guy was any good you'd give them some change. A bit like trick 'r Treat.
The custom degenerated into threatening "yoof" putting a paper plate on a black trash bag and demanding money.
Still, I miss the bonfires, if not the "yoof"...
Your geography is faulty it's the Bristol Channel not the Irish sea.
ReplyDeleteLSP my brother was more inventive they dressed up a friend as the guy and made him look like a stuffed effigy and pushed him around on a wheel barrow.
ReplyDeleteAs for your trick or treating it's an old Northern English and Irish custom, Jack O'Lanterns or Moggy's were made from turnips and we used to go around asking for a penny for the Moggy. When people complain about the Americanization of English customs is ironic to say the least. As we invented them apart from the dressing up but that is fun for kids so no harm.
Funny to see kids in Guatemala on Halloween carrying around carved out grapefruit jack-o-lanterns...
ReplyDelete