Guy Fawkes/ Bonfire Night - A brief History
Remember Remember the fifth of November
The gunpowder treason and plot
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot
Guy Fawkes Guy, 'twas his intent
to blow up king and parliament
Three score barrels were laid below
to prove old England 's overthrow
By God's mercy he was catched
with a dark lantern and lighted match
Holler boys Holler boys let the bells ring
Holler boys Holler boys God save the King
 Every English schoolchild knows this poem (at least the first few lines anyway). It refers to the failed 1605 attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament - the seat of government in Britain . Guy Fawkes was caught and hung, drawn and quartered after being tortured.
Britons since 1605 have been commemorating the failure of the Guy Fawkes by building large bonfires, letting off fireworks and burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes (as in the "Burning of the Guy"). As macabre as it sounds it is great fun and children enjoy creating their "Guy".
There are many laws that are still on the statute books in the UK . It was illegal not to celebrate the arrest of "Guido Fawkes" (his real name) until 1959. On a side note, other ancient laws that still exist include the following:
- A pregnant woman needing to relieve herself is entitled to ask a police officer to take off his helmet to urinate into if no public latrines are nearby - the policeman is required to shroud the lady with his cloak.
- It is still legal to shoot a Scotsman with a bow and arrow within the city walls of York .
For a more in-depth history of Bonfire Night visit guy-fawkes.com which has more information and other useful links.
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