Guy Fawkes

November 03, 2020

Guy Fawkes

Photo by Wendelin Jacober from Pexels

The fireworks are on sale for a few days before Guy Fawkes Day on the 5th of November. I dealt with hearing fireworks every night for about three weeks last year. Which would make anyone crazy after a while. I only knew about two aspects of the holiday - fireworks and bonfires. This article is in brief what I've learned, and mainly to explain to the many people I know that don't celebrate the holiday or might not have even heard of it.

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605

The Gunpowder Plot consisted of religious extremists, lead by Robert Catesby, who wanted the Catholics to receive greater religious tolerance. In 1604, King James I condemned Catholicism as superstition and enacted many more repressive policies. The conspirators intended to blow up the Houses of Parliament (Palace of Westminster) during a session of Parliament where the king would make a speech. They rented a basement under parliament and filled it with explosives. The attack anticipated the death of the king and members of parliament in order to reestablish Catholic rule in England. The plan failed after a note, written to a Catholic sympathizer to avoid the Opening day at Parliament, was handed over to authorities. One of the conspirators, Guy Fawkes, was found in the cellar with the gunpowder and explosives. He was then taken into custody where he was tortured for the names of the other conspirators. He gave up their names, and he and his fellow comrades were arrested and executed (except for a few that died in a shootout).

The Aftermath

The failed plot was disastrous for the Catholic community afterward. In January 1606, after the execution of the remaining conspirators, there was a call for stronger action to be taken against Catholics by members in Parliament. Parliament also designated November 5th as a day of thanksgiving for being delivered from a Catholic plot. Effigies - sculptures of a person - were made to resemble the Pope that were then thrown into bonfires. This continued the anti-Catholic sentiments. Protestants became so obsessed and fearful of another Catholic plot against the throne. In the 1630s, they believed that the king's religious policies were bringing England too close to Catholicism. This suspicion prompted a war between Parliament and the crown. Both religions were in a tug-of-war for control. In 1745, the last of James' heirs were defeated and politicians had no more reason to be fearful of the Catholics. The laws against Catholicism were enforced less and less, and all remaining legal repressions were removed finally in 1829 when Parliament passed the Catholic Emancipation Act.

Photo by Designecologist from Pexels

Holiday Traditions

Guy Fawkes Day (Guy Fawkes Night in New Zealand) celebrates on the 5th of November each year by throwing large bonfires with friends and family, lighting fireworks to represent the explosives that were never lit, and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes. Other former British Empire countries celebrate the holiday with parades, fireworks, bonfires, and food. Children carry effigies of Guy Fawkes and ask for "a penny for the guy" while reciting rhymes associated with the holiday. The most popular rhyme is as follows:

Remember, remember, the fifth of November

Gunpowder treason and plot

We see no reason

Why Gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot….

The money that was collected was spent on fireworks and the ‘guy’ was burned on a bonfire. Guards also perform an annual search of the Parliament building to check for potential explosives. The search is more ceremonial in modern days.

Adaptations

After the novel "V for Vendetta" written by Alan Moore in 1982, Guy Fawkes went from the notorious traitor to a representation of heroism and liberation from oppression. The plot of "V for Vendetta" follows a man, V, who is battling fascism in England. Fascism is defined as "a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism." This year, the word Antifa has surfaced on numerous occasions throughout the USA. Anyone who is opposed to fascism is called Antifa, short for anti-fascist. The plot of "V for Vendetta" follows the Gunpower Plot, but the plan ends up working and explosives are detonated in a high court. Following the 2005 movie adaptation of the same name, Guy is now a symbol of protest in the 21st century, a common theme that has lingered fervently in 2020.

Analysis

Although the plan to reestablish the Catholic rule over England failed just days before it was planned, it is celebrated as the beginning of a revolution. To me, it seems Guy Fawkes Day initially was celebrated to oppress a religious group of people who did not conform to authoritative, unfair rules. Even after the Gunpowder Plot terrorists were captured and executed, nothing happened quickly to reverse the damage caused by the crown. In fact, it wasn't for another 224 years before the restrictive religious laws were removed. The holiday, for the most part, seems to have celebrated the persecution of other religions. Only in the past 40 years has it changed to celebrate protesting and overcoming oppressors. Guy Fawkes struck me as a henchman, and the credit for the Gunpowder Plot should be given to the mastermind behind it, Robert Catesby.

I don't like to give my opinions often, but I want to be clear. I don't believe violence is a good form of protest in any sense, nor do I think celebrating a terrorist is very respectable. I do, however, like and agree with what the holiday represents today. Protesting is powerful. People can take a stance and start movements for change.

If you will be celebrating this year, be safe around explosives and fire. I will probably re-watch "V for Vendetta" to get into the spirit of battling Fascism as today is also the US presidential election.