THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER

On the 5th of  November 1603 was a failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London by a group of dissident Catholics.

Today on the 5th of every year, across the UK and other Anglo-Saxon countries light bonfires let off fireworks, and burn the effigies of the perpetrator Guy Falkes.  

The reason the British people do this is that in 1603, Protestant James I became King of England, and his predecessor Queen Elizabeth I had repressed Catholicism in England. Many Catholics hoped that as James was the son of Mary Queen of Scots was a Catholic he would be more sympathetic to their plight.   He wasn't and continued the persecution against them.

It was at this period, that a Catholic man called Robert Catesby, began plotting the king's demise.   Catesby wanting to kill the king and destroy his parliament convinced Catholics, had soon managed to convince his followers to place multiple barrels of gunpowder under the House of Lords.  By doing this they would blow up the King and his government on the opening day of parliament. To achieve this, they needed explosive expert Guy Fawkes. 

They  leased a vault underneath the House of Lords, and under cover of darkness brought 36 barrels of gunpowder on the night of November the 4th and Guy Fawkes was to be taken to the site,

During this time, an anonymous letter was sent to Lord Monteagle, a Catholic legal to the crown with a warning to avoid the State Opening of Parliament.  Although it has never been proven who sent the letter, many believe that it was a conspirator,  Francis Tresham, the brother-in-law of Lord Mounteagle. 

The letter had soon reached the King who ordered an extensive search of the Houses of Parliament.  It was just after midnight that Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder were discovered.

The King ordered Fawkes to be tortured at the Tower of London to reveal the names of his co-conspirators.   A confession was eventually extracted but at this time the other conspirators had already been arrested, including Catesby who died in battle with Mouteagle's troops. 

 

After a showcase trial in January 1606, Fawkes and his co-conspirators were found guilty and sentenced to death.   As news spread of the plot, Londoners began lighting bonfires while celebrating the fact that James I was still alive and the observance of the 5th November Act expressed a public feeling that an annual day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure.  It became known as the Gunpowder Treason Day.

                                             Remember, remember the 5th of November

                                             Gunpowder, treason, and plot

                                             We see no reason

                                             Why gunpowder treason

                                             Should ever be forgot. 

                                             Guy Fawkes, the guy shows his intent

                                             To blow up King and Parliament

                                             The score barrels were laid down below 

                                             To prove old England's over through

                                             By God's mercy, he was cached 

                                             With darkened lantern and burning match

                                             So, holler boys, holler boys let the bells ring

                                             Holler boys, holler boys, God save the King.      

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AND YOURSELVES REMAIN HEALTHY AND SAFE