So goes the old rhyme:
"Remember, remember the fifth of November;
Gunpowder, treason and plot;
I see no reason why gunpowder treason;
Should ever be forgot."
From the end of October and right up to Nov. 5, English youngsters make effigies of Guy Fawkes, put him in a wheelbarrow or sister's pram or push-chair (stroller) and accost all and sundry with the pleading request of "spare a penny for the Guy, Mister!" Doubtless, nowadays it has gone up to 20p to spend on fireworks, toffee, apples and treacle toffee.
So what about this Guy? It all started in the year 1603 when James VI of Scotland came to the English throne.
After the death of the first Elizabeth, James became James I of England (starting the Stuart dynasty). The Roman Catholics hoped for a restoration of their cause, since James was the son of the ill-fated Mary Stuart (Mary Queen of Scots).
They were unsuccessful, however, and England remained Protestant. This led to the conspiracy known as the Gunpowder Plot. Several conspirators, led by Robert Catesby, a Warwickshire squire, planned to blow up the House of Lords when the king went there to open Parliament early in November.
Guy Fawkes, a Catholic Yorkshireman, with knowledge of gunpowder, was entrusted with placing barrels of explosives in the crypt below the houses of Parliament.
The plot was discovered when one of the conspirators sent a warning letter to his cousin, who was a member of the House of Lords. The nobleman, Lord Mounteagle, carried the letter to the king, who ordered an immediate search. The plot was uncovered and Guy Fawkes was seized. The name of "Guy" has since gone down in history. If he had succeeded, history may have taken a very different turn.
From that day on, November Fifth is celebrated as Guy Fawkes Day all over Britain, with bonfires, fireworks, celebrations, and burning of the Guy in effigy. And here endeth the history lesson.
It always seems strange to me that Guy Fawkes, the villain, is commemorated, when in reality the celebration is the saving of the king and Parliament. Nevertheless, the tradition has continued and to this day the Yeoman Warders of the Tower (Beefeaters) ceremoniously search the undercroft of the Houses of Parliament before the Queen comes to open them in November.
Traditions do indeed die hard. A few years ago when my husband and I were presidents of the Britannia Club (a group of Brits dedicated to passing on British traditions to their families), we were organizing the annual Guy Fawkes celebration over here. No mean feat since we had to get special dispensation from the fire department, the parks department and various other authorities.
The question arose as to the construction of the "Guy," and I being an expert on costumes, etc., held forth on the fact that the "Guy" should look like a Stuart gentleman complete with a tall hat.
Needless to say, since I was so smart I was entrusted with the task, and if I do say so myself, I produced a very good-looking, 6-foot-tall "Guy" complete with Van Dyke beard, Pilgrim's hat, shiny black boots of odd sizes rescued from Goodwill, a very elegant black cape made from a demised umbrella with the spokes removed, good looking Stuart britches, and even touches of lace off an old pillowcase for decoration.
Looking for all the world like one of the Pilgrim fathers, he received national press coverage under the title "This Guy is not for burning," when we were unable to delegate him to the flames because of a burning ban. So he stood sentry in our front hall in Queen Anne until the following year.
Meanwhile he did service as an extra passenger enabling us to use the carpool lane on our trips to Bellevue. So all was not lost:
(And certainly over the centuries it has never been forgotten.)
"...So, my child, when you and I,
Lighting fireworks think of Guy,
Let us, 'mid the pretty flames,
Remember to remember James."
News Flash: KCTS Channel 9 is airing "Monarchy: the Royal Family at Work," premiering at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12, just about the time the queen goes to open Parliament. Traditions die hard in Britain.
In the KCTS 9 Viewer guide, the program looks very interesting: "In this intimate series, viewers catch an exclusive glimpse behind the velvet curtain, revealing what life is like for Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of Britain's most famous family."
In addition, a program entitled "Guarding the Queen," will begin at 10 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12 immediately following.
"Monarchy..." The latter are the most senior infantry regimen of the British army and the most recognized of the foot guards standing watch outside Buckingham Palace - but what is life really like for the Grenadier Guards?" Be sure to tune in. DON'T MISS IT!
TTFN until next time, and if you have any questions, give me a call.
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