Do you know what holiday is celebrated in Britain on November 5th in England? Guy Fawkes Day. I have always heard of Guy Fawkes day, yet never knew what it meant. I figured it was likely a famous British man celebrated for some noble accomplishment. Interestingly however it might be said that Guy Fawkes is celebrated for his notoriety. I guess you might say it is an English Nationalist holiday reinforcing a national narrative of how good forces won over the devilish plot of a treasonist. Guy Fawkes planned to blow up the Parliament and James Stewart with barrels of gun powder. The Plot is commonly called the Gunpowder Plot. In 1605, Guy Fawkes was apprehended in vault below the house with barrels of gunpowder. Guy Fawkes and 3 other men were executed for their treason. The Holiday is celebrated by young teens running the streets with blackened faces begging for pennies "penny for a guy", chanting rhymes "please to remember the fifth of November, Guy Fawkes die, hit him in the eye" or "Remember, remember, the fifth of November Gunpowder treason and plot I see no reason why Gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot" and the burning of life size effigies of Guy Fawkes on large bonfires. Hmmm...very interesting...guess where I learned this? The New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes episode 'the gunpowder plot'...but don't worry, I researched it too....interesting. Can you believe it? Did you know it? Is there more too it? What about possible prejudice towards Catholics?
1 comment:
interesting, yet kind of disturbing at the same time. they celebrate a traitor? i'm still trying to understand this. maybe i'll get it tomorrow. sherlock holmes...classic.
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