Remember remember the 5th of November? You might not actually remember this date. But lots of British people do remember it. It has been in our memories for more than 400 years. But not everyone remembers the year, or the exact reasons for the incident that occurred on that day, in 1605AD. Mostly people these days remember to have a bonfire in their garden with family and friends, or to watch a firework display. Both of these events include delicious warm food and drink or a cold autumn night. And they also involve a bit of fun, by burning on the fire a mannequin (a large doll, like a handmade statue). We call this a ‘guy’.
Yes, this special day has a few names, one of them is ‘Guy Fawkes Night’. But it also has a few other names, and is more popularly called ‘Bonfire Night’ or ‘Fireworks Night’. Since 1605 fireworks have become an autumn activity in UK. Bonfires have always been common in autumn too, for burning the fallen leaves.
But there is another reason this event happens in autumn. And there is a reason it is called ‘Guy Fawkes Night’. We remember the ‘plot’ and the crimes attempted by a man (with the name ‘Guy’) and his friends in London in 1605AD. And this plot and crime is the reason the event is only properly celebrated in UK (it might be celebrated by British people abroad too). What happened in London that autumn was motivated by religion and politics, but this attempted crime failed, and had no effect on anybody else in the world, so it really is a rare UK-only festival.
So, what happened on that day? Basically a band of rebels in support of the Catholic church wanted to have the Parliament and country ruled by Catholics. So they planned (‘plotted’) to kill the Protestant king James I. They tried this by trying to hide some gunpowder to explode the centre of the government and King, the Houses of Parliament.
Students who have joined MC on a London trip know the Houses of Parliament, it is next to Big Ben, where we get off the river boat. Imagine trying to explode that whole building! Wouldn’t it be interesting to know what might be different if Guy had succeeded and killed the King? Maybe not much would be different!
Well Guy Fawkes was one of the members who wanted to kill the King. And he is the man the guards caught in the basement, hiding the dynamite under the Houses. For some he was a hero, or a ‘martyr’ (someone who dies trying to fight for his people) for the Catholics. People of the Catholic faith were persecuted and wanted more power, so they supported Guy Fawkes. But most of the people at the time were happy to see him caught and killed, and to see the King saved. To celebrate the King’s survival, bonfires were lit all over London. As time passed people would burn images of Guy to show their love for their King and remember this incidence.
This attempt to kill the King was called the ‘Gunpowder Plot’. The event nowadays is important, not just for its religious and political arguments. It gives school children the opportunity to learn about Kings and Queens in an intriguing context. There are also food recipes that we eat during this season that children look forward to on this night. Although it was more popular a few generations ago, children still collect small coins for a ‘Guy’ that they have made and displayed on the streets for local people. The ‘Guy’ will be burnt on the fire later tonight.
Sometimes communities make bigger ‘Guys’ in the image of famous people they don’t like, repeating the political and social arguments we had many years ago. Some people who still support the spirit of Guy are considered ‘anti-establishment’, and there are many of them around. These people who want to change the government, or the economy for example, this includes people who demonstrate in the streets.
A newer, slightly similar version of the story was used in the film ‘V for Vendetta’. The image of the man in the mask has been used widely since the film in protests around the world. Most people think of the film from 2006, but it was actually a comic from 1980s.
But the fireworks really are the fun part, no politics, no agendas. Since those early times, fireworks have spread in popularity and are much more colourful these days. However, the most important learning we can do, is how to be safe around fire and fireworks.
For anyone currently in UK, the best thing you can do (if you be careful and stay safe) is get to Lewes. Some students will know Lewes from an afternoon trip in 2012. Lewes holds some of the best celebrations, and is a mix of fun and deeper meaning and memories. People march through the streets with fire, crosses, costumes and messages, and ask us to remember people around the world who have died fighting, fighting for their beliefs and fighting for their rights, and fighting in wars. It is interesting to note it is the biggest celebration in the world for November 5th. But also it is a ‘private’ event. We wonder which figures they will make and burn on the fires this year…….
Links:
Enter history with this old fashioned newspaper from Lewes
Feed your curiosity with BBC
Understand more about the mask and the anti-hero from V for Vendetta
Learn and practise English with these classroom resources
Play the game
