Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Remember remember the fifth of November............


Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot... 


Guy Fawkes & the Gunpowder PlotWords of "Remember Remember" refer to Guy Fawkes with origins in 17th century English history. On the 5th November 1605 Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament with several dozen barrels of gunpowder. Guy Fawkes was subsequently tried as a traitor with his co-conspirators for plotting against the government. He was tried by Judge Popham who came to London specifically for the trial from his country manor Littlecote House in Hungerford, Gloucestershire. Fawkes was sentenced to death and the form of the execution was one of the most horrendous ever practised (hung, drawn and quartered) which reflected the serious nature of the crime of treason.


The Tradition begins...The following year in 1606 it became an annual custom for the King and Parliament to commission a sermon to commemorate the event. Lancelot Andrewes delivered the first of many Gunpowder Plot Sermons. This practice, together with the nursery rhyme, ensured that this crime would never be forgotten! Hence the words "Remember, remember the 5th of November"

The poem is sometimes referred to as 'Please to remember the fifth of November'. It serves as a warning to each new generation that treason will never be forgotten. In England the 5th of November is still commemorated each year with fireworks and bonfires culminating with the burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes (the guy). The 'guys' are made by children by filling old clothes with crumpled newspapers to look like a man. Tradition allows British children to display their 'guys' to passers-by and asking for " A penny for the guy".


There is no Bonfire night here in Canada though.  In this household we have another reason to remember this day, as it was the day when our daughter and son-in-law were married.  They celebrate their second wedding anniversary today.  Those two years have gone by fast, and we are down to four weeks now until the baby arrives!!


4 comments:

Piece by Piece said...

I have a lot of memories regarding Guy Fawkes nights.
In the village I lived in everyone would bring wood and hedge cuttings to add to the big bonfire which was in an area on my Fathers farm. All the kids would make a "Guy" and take him to all the houses and ask for "A penny for the Guy" we would then buy fireworks.
In the village where my Grand Father lived there was a huge parade and fireworks which is still going on to this day.
Thanks for the reminder.
Patricia

Paula said...

My good blue and white Wedgewood is actually based on the Gun Powder Plot. It's pictures of all the houses involved. I love it because it's medieval and blue and white :)

Leigh said...

Traditions like this are so interesting! I'd not heard of it before.

Very exciting about your daughter and son-in-law. Grandbabies are the most precious in the world!

Angela said...

I was born in the UK but emigrated as a child in the 70's...NO ONE ever knows what Guy Fawkes day is lol

{{{SIGH}}}

Tuesday was a mixed bag type of day. Had the appliance repair guy come again to install another circuit board in the fridge.  When hubby got...