Guy Fawkes Day

Today, November 5th, is the 400th anniversary of Guy Fawkes Day. On this day in 1605, the Protestant monarchy in England, and thus the Protestant faith in the English speaking world, was saved with the discovery and foiling of the Gunpowder Plot. In this plot, Guy and co-conspirator Thomas Winter, were caught in a cellar underneath the House of Lords in the wee hours of Nov. 5th, packed with thirty-six barrels of gunpowder. Their plan was to blow up the House of Lords later that day, when the King, Prince of Wales, and other MPs and Lords would be present. The foiling of the plot not only preserved the stability of the monarchy in the early years of a dynastic transition, but strengthened public opinion against Rome, further cementing England's loyalty to the international Protestant cause.

Folks in Britain and elsewhere remember Guy Fawkes day with this rhyme:

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
gunpowder, treason and plot,
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
'twas his intent
to blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow:
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, make the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
Hip hip hoorah!

A penny loaf to feed the Pope.
A farthing o' cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down.
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar.
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head.
Then we'll say ol' Pope is dead.
Hip hip hoorah!
Hip hip hoorah!

So go build a bonfire, set off some fireworks, burn Fawkes in effigy, and raise a pint of beer to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day!