Bonfire Night
Today we celebrate Guy Fawkes day or “bonfire night” as many know it. We celebrate the failed plot by Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators to blow up Parliament on the night of Nov 5th 1605. It really was a plot to “destabilise” the protestant government of King James by the English Roman Catholics following a savage verbal attack on them by King James in 1604 when it became clear that there would be no state tolerance of Roman Catholicism. Following the failed plot bonfires were lit by Londoners on the 5th November to celebrate the fact that their King was safe. An effigy of Guy Fawkes was more often than not burned on these bonfires and the tradition still carries on today in some communities. Mostly, because of health and safety concerns the large displays are now well organized affairs, with some amazing firework displays.
Add comment November 5th, 2007