Remember the fifth of November

Growing up in a country that had seen its fair share of invasions, civil wars and revolts, there were many traditions and rituals performed and celebrated. 5 November was possibly one of the most exciting and terrifying ones for a small child, the celebration of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. This was an attempt to commit regicide against King James 1 of England and Scotland, led by a group of Catholics, most notably Guy Fawkes. The intention was to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London, killing the King and his protestant controlled party. Guy and his co-conspirators were betrayed, captured, tried and hung, drawn and quartered.

As a child, 5 November, or Bonfire Night, was celebrated when communities came together to build massive bonfires with 'guys' or effigies of Guy Fawkes perched on the top. This tradition had begun the year after the failed plot as a day of thanksgiving to celebrate the survival of King James. Fireworks, introduce much later, would be let off, inevitably resulting in a number of injuries, some fatal, every year. In the lead up, groups of children would make a guy out of straw and old rags and parade him around the streets, collecting pennies. Poor old Guy truly was condemned to the eternal flame.

Where I lived, very close to the site of a massive civil war battle, we would compete with the nearest suburb to see who could create the largest bonfire. Raiding parties would head out night after night to steal wood from the competitors fires. On the night itself, sausages would be sizzled by our Mums while our Dads controlled the firework displays. Mum hated the tradition, finding it macabre but for us kids it was one of the best times of the year.

Long before I left England, the sale of fireworks had, probably wisely, become restricted. Bonfire night became a controlled affair with large displays kept far away from children. It became a thing to watch, not participate in. It became a month of people somehow obtaining fireworks and letting them off randomly, terrifying pets and wildlife. Somewhere along the timeline, Guy Fawkes was forgotten completely, finally laid to rest perhaps.

'Remember, remember!

The fifth of November,

Gunpowder treason and plot;

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot!'