On the very night that the Gunpowder Plot was foiled, on November 5th, 1605,
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.
Some of the English have been known to wonder, in a tongue in cheek kind of way,
whether they are celebrating Fawkes' execution or honouring his attempt to do away
with the government.
REMEMBER, REMEMBER 5TH NOVEMBER 1605
By Josie Whitehead
Remember, remember sixteen hundred and five
Thirteen friends thought it was time to contrive
A plan to get rid of their government and King.
And under cover of darkness to Parliament did bring - - - -
Thirty six barrels of gunpowder.
Remember, remember that they had a good reason
(For death was the penalty to be paid for such treason).
Repressing the Catholics was the root of their cause –
But these young men decided to abolish these laws.
(James I turned out to be just as intolerant
of the Catholics as Elizabeth I, in fact)
They stored all the gunpowder quite well out of sight.
And they crept into Parliament under cover of night.
The thought of the deaths to innocent folk –
Caused some of them worry, and one of them spoke
- to a friend (Lord Monteagle) about the
plan in an anonymous letter.
The King heard of the plan and called on his forces.
Who set off to Westminster full speed on their horses.
In the cellars of Parliament Guy Fawkes was discovered
And the truth of the matter was quickly uncovered.
(Some people say that the gunpowder
was too old to have exploded anyway).
They declared Guy Fawkes traitor to country and king –
He was tortured, condemned and by the neck he did swing.
Many bonfires were lit as folk rejoiced with King James.
Now we remember this story when we gaze at our flames.
(But even today we only allow Her Majesty into
Parliament once a year - - - because we REMEMBER).
Copyright 2006
LINKS
History of Guy Fakes by Guy Fawkesby & David Herber