Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Day, Paricipation in

We went to a local Bonfire Night celebration in a nearby village. We had a good time eating some snacks, watching the bonfire and the fireworks.

We arrived at 6:15 p.m. and paid a pound each to get in. The kids were free. We saw some tables with snacks, including flapjack, muffins, cookies, toffee, marshmallows, and assorted other yummy items. Lucy had a cupcake and Jacob had a flapjack. We walked down the edge of the soccer field (where the fireworks were set up) and saw them light the bonfire. Jacob and Lucy were fascinated.

Staying warm until the fire really gets going.

The bonfire started roaring soon. We couldn't get close to it since it was roped off. The fire was fairly large and lots of little kids like Jacob and Lucy were there, so safety was paramount.

Jacob was ecstatic at the start

Lucy enjoyed the fire light a little too much, maybe

A nice big and distant fire

The bonfire was very pretty, hence the light in Lucy's eyes. Eventually the kids got bored and we went back to the snack table to wait for the fireworks. Lucy had a hot dog and enjoyed it. Jacob didn't want any more to eat. I ate some toffee which had a nice, slow melt in your mouth sweetness. Then the fireworks started.

Jacob and Lucy liked the fireworks for about ten minutes. Then they started freaking out and wanting to go home. We gave in almost immediately. The walk to the car was a little long. I wound up carrying Lucy to get her back faster. She and Jacob didn't cry, but they were definitely unhappy with the noise. The drive home was okay. The kids enjoyed seeing other fireworks through the car windows. We were home before 8 p.m. which meant bedtime was still on time. All in all, the evening went very well.

Check out the videos from the evening:

Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Day, Parody of

It helps to appreciate this if you've seen Evil Dead II or Army of Darkness, or both!

Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams

Dismember, dismember the undead of November,
Chainsaw shotgun and graveplot.
We see no reason why
The undead can't re-die
When off the head is chop't.

Bruce Campbell did shout
And blow their brains out.
Three Evil Dead movies would show
How medieval Ash could go.

The Necronomicon's curse
Made Ash's hand worse.
So, holler Ash, holler Ash, chop it off fast.
Holler hand, holler hand, for you won't last.

And what did he do with it?
Blast it!


Original text:

Guy Fawkes by George Cruickshanks

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was 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 catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.

And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!

Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes Day, History of

One of the big celebrations here in England is what's known locally as Bonfire Night, though in America as Guy Fawkes Day (or Night). Here's a little bit of the history behind it.

Catholics had been terribly persecuted under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. When she died in 1603, some hoped that the new king, James I, would be more tolerant of Roman Catholicism in England. He was not. A group of young men led by Robert Catesby decided that violent action would help the situation.

Guy Fawkes was one of thirteen conspirators who planned to blow up Parliament and the king on November 5, 1605. They managed to store 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars of Parliament. The scheme became known as the Gunpowder Plot later. As the plan came together, some of the conspirators realized many innocent people would be wounded or killed and they began to have second thoughts. One conspirator sent a letter to Lord Monteagle to stay away from the House of Lords on the 5th of November.

The warning reached the king whose forces took swift action. Early on the 5th, they stormed the cellars and caught Guy Fawkes with the explosives. He was later tortured and executed.

News spread quickly and many bonfires were lit that evening in London to celebrate the safety of the king. Hence the night is known as Bonfire Night and is commemorated with fireworks, food, and fires. On the grim side, children often burn "the guy," a small figure made out of old clothes, papier mache, and whatever else is handy. It is supposed to represent Guy Fawkes. Yikes!

During the week before November 5, they go on the street with their "guy" and beg "a penny for the Guy?" which money is supposed to go toward fireworks. We haven't seen this in practice, though I can certainly imagine kids wanting to buy fireworks. They've been on sale for a couple of weeks all over the place, including the local grocery stores (one had a "buy one, get one free" sale!). The Fourth of July is similar in the United States, though American have to stay up much later for it to be dark enough for the full visual effect of the fireworks.

Some fireworks were going off tonight (November 4), maybe as practice. We'll attend some events tomorrow and report back. I'm just glad that they'll have fireworks for the eve of my birthday, another event that we will report on!

Also interesting: Gunpowder Plot Game. Try to foil Guy Fawkes!

And the famous nursery rhyme for British children:

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder treason and plot.
We see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!

Guy Fawkes, guy, t'was 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 catch'd
With a darkened lantern and burning match.
So, holler boys, holler boys, Let the bells ring.
Holler boys, holler boys, God save the king.

And what shall we do with him?
Burn him!