It's the 5th of November and in the UK, it is more specifically Bonfire Night. A night where fireworks grace the dark sky and fires are lit across the country. As those fireworks are flying, this poem may be recited;
Remember Remember!
The 5th of November
Gunpowder Treason and Plot
We See No Reason
Why Gunpowder Treason,
Should Ever Be Forgot...
These are the lyrics of the infamous poem which refers to the events in England on the 5th of November 1605. On this day 403 years back, 13 men attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Oh yes, it wasn't just Guy Fawkes who was within this plot. There were 12 other people. Guy Fawkes is most known widely known because he was the one who got caught with the stash of gunpowder on the night of the 4th of November (more about that later).
This plot was organised because and after years of persecution of the catholic church. The leader of the group was named Robert Catesby and he was very outspoken about the crown. Robert Catesby planned for an explosive action on the opening of parliament. This date was important as it was when King James I would be in parliament. Plus, the plot had the chance to take out a considerable amount of members as possible.
So the 13 men got together and 36 barrels of gunpowder made it's way to a cellar underneath the parliament chamber. But, the weight of the event got to a few of them. Some of the plotters wrote letters to a number of parliament members, that historians believe to be catholic, warning them not to go in on the 5th of November. It was this event which undid the plan. As one of those letters were shown to the King.
The King wasted no time and had the cellars searched on the night of the 4th of November. Unfortunately, there at the time was Guy Fawkes. It was going to be his job to lit the fuse. Behind Fawkes was the 36 barrels hidden underneath coal and firewood, all of them contained gunpowder. Guy Fawkes was arrested and was tortured for two days. After which he confessed to his part in the plot as well as naming the other 12 men in the plot.
Sir Edward Coke, the attorney-general at the time, wanted to make examples of them. So had the most horrible of punishments planned. At first, the men would be dragged behind a horse. Then they would be disembowelled before they were decapitated. The punishment didn't end there. Sir Edward Coke had their bodies left out for animals to eat from (yeah, nice...).
This would have been the fate for Guy Fawkes. But, reports state that on the execution day - 31st of January 1606, Fawkes threw himself from the ladder whilst walking to his death. He died by breaking his neck. Yet, his body was still quartered and then set to the four corners of the kingdom.
Following the attack on parliament, things got harder on Catholics. New laws were brought out across England eliminating a Catholic's right to vote. Catholics were repressed again.
So as you watch the bonfire burning within a communal park or within your back garden. Then at the fireworks soaring into the smoky but starry night sky. Remember that this celebration was only set up to symbolise the King's escape and these peoples' demise.
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