by Bradford Barrett

Created on: November 05, 2009   Last Updated: November 06, 2009

Remember Remember the 5th of November,

Gunpowder-Treason and Plot.

I know of 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!

And what should we do with him? Burn him!

History:

On November 5, 1605 several Catholics in violent opposition to the Protestant James I of King of England were apprehended as they let attempted to blow up the parliament killing most of the protestant leaders of the nation in the process. The gunpowder was prepared by Guy 'Guido' Fawkes, a 10-year professional soldier who worked with field artillery maintenance and gunpowder preparation. He was tortured, tried, and found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death. He was to be drawn and quarted, after being half-hung at the gallows-however he cheated his executioners by jumping from the gallows and breaking his neck.

Celebration:

The United Kingdom and nearly the former colonies and protectorates of Great Britain celebrate Guy Fawkes day on the 5th of November. With the notable exception of the United States, who stopped celebrating British holidays when the United Kingdom fell into general contempt shortly before the American Revolution.

UK:

In the United Kingdom, there are several foods that are traditionally consumed on Guy Fawkes Night: black treacle goods such as bonfire toffee and parkin, candied(toffee) apples, baked potatoes, more commonly and traditionally referred to as jacket potatoes, which are wrapped in foil and cooked in the bonfire or its embers, black peas with vinegar, potato pie with pickled red cabbage. The night is observed with bonfire burnings, the burning of effigies of Guy, and fireworks. Until recently children begged "Penny for the guy" of passers by using the money to buy fireworks for the celebration. In different regions of the country varying degrees of support for the holiday are observed along with a considerable array of festivities from the burning of effigies of the Pope in Sussex to the carrying of giant burning barrels Ottery St. Mary by the town's strongest men.

Bermuda:

Local and national unpopular figures are ridiculed and effigies of them are burned instead of Guy Fawkes. Victims of this practice range from Soviet Prime ministers to Axl Rose lead singer of the band "Guns and Roses".

Canada:

The holiday may be referred to as "Bonfire Night" in some areas. The festivities revolve around different groups within the provinces competing to build the largest bonfire, often these reach 40 feet or taller.

Everyone else:

If you do not exist in the commonwealth of the UK or her former loyal colonies. Crack open a cold one, watch "V for Vendetta", and be grateful you are neither a limey or a possible victim of English imperial colonialism.

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