Remember, remember, the 5th of November

Day 62

The 5th of November is known as Guy Fawkes day, or Bonfire night. In 1605 Guy Fawkes decided to blow up Parliament on the day the king came to visit. A long time ago, it was possible to rent out the cellar space below Parliament, so Guy Fawkes rented it and loaded a room with a dozen barrels of gun powder. The plot was discovered, and Guy Fawkes was hung, drawn, and quartered. Needless to say, they no longer rent out the cellar. However, the Gunpowder Plot is commemorated each year by fireworks, bonfires, and burning effegies of Guy Fawkes, to show that England does not forget treason.

A traditional nursery rhyme runs thus:

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I can think of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent

To blow up the King and Parli'ment.

Three-score barrels of powder below

To prove old England's 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!

We went out on our fire escape on the roof and watched some fireworks. You can kind of see them here...

The most entertaining bit was watching the people on a nearby roof try and launch off their own fireworks, which did not always go up. In fact, after the one that went directly down towards the street, they decided to call it quits.

You do get some very nice views from our roof, though it's hard to see it here.



Our street