Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.......

“Remember, remember the Fifth of November is gunpowder treason and plot. I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot. Knock at the door, ring the bell. Have you got a penny for singing so well ? If you haven’t got a penny a ha’penny will do If you haven't got a ha’penny then God bless you !!” Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder plot.... On November 5th, 1605, the very night that the Gunpowder Plot was foiled, bonfires were set alight to celebrate the safety of the King. Since then, November 5th has become known as Bonfire Night. The event is commemorated every year with fireworks and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire. The plot: In 1605, thirteen young men planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Among them was Guy Fawkes (pictured), Britain's most notorious traitor... After Queen Elizabeth I died in 1603, English Catholics who had been persecuted under her rule, had hoped that her successor James I, would be more tolerant of their religion as James I mother had been catholic. Unfortunately, James I did not turn out to be more tolerant than Elizabeth, so a group of 13 young men, Guy Fawkes being one, under the leadership of Robert Catesby decided that violent action was needed. To carry out their plan, the conspirators got hold of 36 barrels of gunpowder, and stored them in a cellar, just under the House of Lords. But as they worked on their plan some of the group realized that innocent supporters of their cause would be injured in the explosion. One of the group members sent an anonymous letter warning his friend, Lord Monteagle, to stay away from the Parliament on November 5th. The warning letter was intercepted and the King and his forces made plans to stop the conspirators. Guy Fawkes, was in the cellar of the parliament with the 36 barrels of gunpowder when the authorities stormed it in the early hours of November 5th, he was caught, tortured and executed. The Gunpowder Plot struck a very profound chord for the people of England. Today, the reigning monarch only enters the Parliament once a year, during "the State Opening of Parliament". Prior to the Opening, and according to custom, the Yeomen of the Guards search the cellars of the Palace of Westminster. A tradition the Queen and Parliament still observe to this present day. We all know they rhymes if we grew up in England. .........................Guy , Guy Stick him up on high, Hang him on a lamp post And there let him die. Guy, guy, guy, Poke him in the eye, Put him on the fire And there let him die. Burn his body From his head, Then you’ll say Guy Fawkes is dead. Hip, Hip, Hooray!....................... Kind of barbaric.........but then so were the times he lived in. Kids thought it was fun, little savages (smile) and when I was a child I remember them coming with a home made guy in a wheel barrow. Parents would give them pennies and they would buy candy or fireworks. Much like 4th July here in the USA, every home had fireworks. Sometimes, and I remember several years, the community would have a bonfire. We had one on a vacant lot at the top of our street. There was also a convenient lamp post. We roasted potatoes in the fire and sometimes chestnuts. There would be fireworks and fun...........some traditions are just that, fun for a community to share and kids can have fun with adults in charge. Not sure what goes on these days but I have happy memories. Got to stay out after dark woo hooo.

New Year 2012................

New Year is really just another day isn't it? We always see it as a new beginning though.Maybe that's a good idea. Certainly not a new one.
I would say the best New Years Eve I spent was in London many years ago. I would guess it to be 1965. I was living in London at that time and some friends and myself all went to Trafalgar Square. It was awesome, waiting for the countdown and the striking of Big Ben at midnight. They do it on the river now but at that time Trafalgar was the gathering place. There were people in the fountains, in the trees and sitting on the lions. After the countdown everyone had to rush off to try to get the last trains home. There were so many people racing for the subways that you could literally take your feet off the ground and be swept along. They ran over the car tops to get to the trains in time. I had to get back to Putney Heath and then up to Wimbledon. It was a very exciting evening. No one drank or did dope it was just pure energy and high spirits.



I don't know when they began the fireworks show on the Thames Enbankment, but now that's where the big event occurs.



Some day I would love to be able to walk along the Embankment again. I remember the nights when I could walk along there at night and be perfectly safe. I love the place. I don't know what New Years Eve would be like now but it looks quite wonderful.

Remember Remember the 5th of November...................

Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire night. In England the Gunpowder Plot. Try to kill our King and no one forgets. Treason is a serious thing to us Brits.
Remember remember the 5th of November,gunpowder treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason Should ever be forgot...




On the 5th November 1605 Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament with several dozen barrels of gunpowder. He was subsequently tried as a traitor with his co-conspirators for plotting against the government.Judge Popham came to London specifically for the trial from his country manor Littlecote House in Gloucestershire. Guy Fawkes was sentenced to death and the form of the execution was one of the most horrendous which reflected the seriousness of the crime of treason.



The following year in 1606 it became an annual custom for the King and Parliament to commission a sermon to commemorate the event.This practice, together with the nursery rhyme it serves as a warning to each new generation that treason will never be forgotten.


Every year children celebrate by making a "Guy" with old clothes and stuffing it with paper. Then at the end of the evening he is burned on top of the bonfire. Children are allowed to go door to door singing "Guy guy stick him in the eye, hang him on the lamp post and there let him die" They receive admiration as they show off their guy and a few pennies to spend. There is a bonfire and fireworks in the evening and roasting of potatoes in the fire. Hot potatoes in their jackets never tasted so good. A great community get together was something to look forwards to for all the children and adults alike. I hope the tradition always continues for that reason alone. Far better than Halloween that seems to be taking over in England these days.