Why Are The British Lighting Things On Fire?
Written by Amanda Jentsch, Cultural Editorial Assistant
“Do you remember, the 21st night of September?”—a lyric we recognize readily. The rhyme “remember, remember, the fifth of November”, however, is less familiar—at least to non-British people. So, what’s the big deal about the fifth of November?
In Britain, it goes by two names: Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Day (Ross, 2016). People take to the streets, marching in parades, lighting bonfires and watching fireworks while children carry effigies for burning, both of Guy Fawkes and modern political heads (Britannica, 2010).
A little, well, unsettling? Sure. But so is the foiled plot that launched Guy Fawkes into such notoriety. His crime? Only trying to blow up the Parliament building, the members of Parliament and the king himself (Britannica, 2010).
High treason is no biggie, right? Right.
On Nov. 5, 1605, Guy Fawkes and a group of Catholic revolutionaries attempted to regain control of the Protestant country by stashing gunpowder in the basement of the Palace of Westminster. Their intent was to trigger the explosion during the ceremonial opening of the House of Parliament. Unfortunately, Guy Fawkes was found guarding the stash of explosives before they could be set off and the next day was drawn and quartered (Britannica, 2010).
This event played only a small role in the complicated—and often bloody—history of conflict between Catholics and Protestants in England. This history includes, but isn’t limited to, prosecution, looting and executions on both sides (Musee Protestant).
The failed plot is now commemorated every year on November 5 with fireworks—symbolizing the unexploded gunpowder that was stored in the basement of the Parliament—and a ceremonial search of the palace by the guards. (Musee Protestant).
As the people celebrate, the night echoes with the sound of children chanting the centuries-old rhyme that recalls the fateful November night in 1605:
“Remember, remember, the fifth of November
Gunpowder treason and plot
We see no reason
Why Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.”
Sources:
Ross, Delaney. “Explosive Images of Guy Fawkes Day Celebrations.” National Geographic. 5 September 2016. Accessed 2 November 2019.
“Protestantism in England in the Sixteenth Century.” Musee Protestant. Accessed 2 November 2019.
“Guy Fawkes Day.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 29 October 2010. Accessed 2 November 2019.