Today is the Anniversary of Guy Fawkes Day, that occassion in 1605 when Mr. Fawkes, an English Catholic, was captured while attempting to blow up Parliment with casks of gunpowder stored below the Parliment chambers. While the plot failed, he was instantly immortalized in song and poem. You might call him one of the earliest "ant-hero" characters in history. The "Gunpowder Plot" happened after King James the First fell through on his promises to end persecution of Catholics. Guido Fawkes was an English Catholic. The law in England then, as now, states that no Catholic can ever be Monarch. And just to make sure that this never happens, the Queen is still the head of the Church of England.
So there will be bonfires and celebrations in Britain tonite as the English celebrate the day that Guy Fawkes didn't blow up Parliment. Or maybe they are celebrating because he tried....
Old English Poem - Fifth of November
Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot ;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
'Twas his intent.
To blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below.
Poor old England to overthrow.
By God's providence he was catch'd,
With a dark lantern and burning match
Holloa boys, Holloa boys, let the bells ring
Holloa boys, Holloa boys, God save the King!
Hip hip Hoorah !
Hip hip Hoorah !
A penny loaf to feed ol'Pope,
A farthing cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down,
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar,'
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head,
Then we'll say: ol'Pope is dead.
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