Tuesday 5 November 1605 was probably a cold crisp winter morning. It was still dark when Guido (Guy) Fawkes woke. However, he had a task to perform that, if successful, could change the face of democracy in the United Kingdom forever. Hurriedly he dressed and left his house, hurrying through the still sleeping streets of capital.
Six am found him scurrying around the basements of the Houses of Parliament, setting explosives. High above the clock of Big Ben ticked relentlessly on, moving time on towards one of the most momentous events in our history.
Guy was in haste; the King was due to attend at the house that morning. If he had his way, by midday the monarchy and government would be reduced to ashes; the Scots would ride triumphant into London.
The excitement made him nervous, every sound or light could betray his motives, so he worked on his task in near darkness, pausing every few minutes to listen for intrusions. It was as he was completing his task that Guy turned and found himself staring down the wrong end of a musket. He had been betrayed and the King’s men had found him. Overpowered with ease, the plot was foiled and Guy was tortured to reveal the name of co-conspirators, tried, hanged drawn and quartered, his body dragged through the streets of the city to the cheers of the gentlefolk. One wonders sometimes whether the same joyous reaction would be the case in modern times.
On Sunday evening in homes and open spaces throughout the United Kingdom, the 202nd anniversary of the “gunpowder plot,” the skies over the UK will be lit with a multitude of colourful fireworks in celebration of this historical occasion. Children and families will laugh and shriek with joys as a cacophony of sound fills the air. Millions of bonfires will be lit, upon which will be burned effigies of the man who nearly changed the face of English politics for good. Some of the more satirical of people have taken to turn the modern bonfire effigies into modern politicians. (No wonder Tony is getting out of the “Hot” seat.) Ironically, if Gordon Brown (a Scotsman) succeeds Tony Blair, Guy’s intentions will have been fulfilled by methods that are more peaceful.
posted by Brit & Grit at 5:46 AM
10 Comments:
That is very very true.
Except when Brown does succed there wont be a "really cool explosion."
PS I never knew he was call Guido
Maybe it's time for us brits to say enough, we want independence
Cheers
Paul
As an American in Scotland, I didn't go to a bonfire party last year, but the view from where I lived was amazing. From upstairs, I could see across a planted carse to the outskirts of my small town.
I think I counted 53 bonfires scattered across the darkness. It was an image I shall always have with me.
Hi VMH
It is a great sight if you are in a vantage point.
Paul
Bonfires are good, the fireworks, even better. The time of the year we folks back home light spectacular firecrackers is on New Year's Eve.
By the way, what would England be like had Guy Fawkes succeeded? Just a thought.
Hi Maia
The intention was for the Roman Catholics to return to power, so I guess we would have been under the thumb of the pope.
We tend to have fireworks at New Years as well.
The Spanish have them somewhere every day of the year.
Paul
I love it that fireworks are still legal in the UK ...unlike all places in the US where the different types of fireworks are regulated. As a trivia note, did you know that fireworks are actually banned in their birthplace ..Beijing?
Ah you learn something every day. Thanks for that.
Paul
Great piece - well written!
Thanks Jayne, Glad you enjoyed it.
Paul
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