Guy Fawkes

At Westminster in London, Guy Fawkes, a chief conspirator in the plot to blow up the British Parliament building, jumps to his death moments before his execution for treason.
On the eve of a general parliamentary session scheduled for November 5, 1605, Sir Thomas Knyvet, a justice of the peace, found Guy Fawkes lurking in a cellar of the Parliament building. Fawkes was detained and the premises thoroughly searched. Nearly two tons of gunpowder were found hidden within the cellar. In his interrogation, Fawkes revealed that he was a participant in an English Catholic conspiracy organized by Robert Catesby to annihilate England's entire Protestant government, including King James I. The king was to have attended Parliament on November 5.
Over the next few months, English authorities killed or captured all of the conspirators in the "Gunpowder Plot" but also arrested, tortured, or killed dozens of innocent English Catholics. After a brief trial, Guy Fawkes was sentenced, along with the other surviving chief conspirators, to be hanged, drawn, and quartered in London. On January 30, 1606, the gruesome public executions began in London, and on January 31 Fawkes was called to meet his fate. While climbing to the hanging platform, however, he jumped from the ladder and broke his neck, dying instantly.
In remembrance of the Gunpowder Plot, Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated across Great Britain every year on the fifth of November. As dusk falls in the evening, villagers and city dwellers across Britain light bonfires, set off fireworks, and burn an effigy of Guy Fawkes, celebrating his failure to blow up Parliament and James I.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-death-of-guy-fawkes

 

nor me.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/people/guy_fawkes#p00kvk4j

Timewatch presenter Alice Hogge describes the execution of Guy Fawkes on 31 January 1606.

 

Guy Fawkes is an Old Boy of St Peter's School in York and they have a bonfire but do not pop Guy on top. Not the done thing to set fire to an Old Boy.

FdeP

 

Pope burning in Lewes.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc1lwKfSQ1g

 

Now go and do that to the Big Mo and I don't mean the Mohandas

 

The plot and end in 90 seconds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B_QUomeeF8

 

Where have all the Guys gone


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-magazine-monitor-24818807

 

Well, I never knew that Guy Fawkes jumped - you learn something new every day!

 

I think that the last bit of the opening quotation is becoming out of date. Bonfire Night seems to be steadily succumbing to a tide of witches and zombies. There were a few fireworks being let off in our neck of the woods but nothing like 15 years ago and nothing like New Year's Eve nowadays.

 

My most memorable fireworks show ?

This from my personal diary;

Wednesday 2nd. May 1945
Jerry threw his hand in Italy and Austria. Fired all our 2" mortars, phosphorous bombs and verey lights and had bonfires all over the shop.
Cease fire about 11 pm.
( At noon today the Germans signed an unconditional surrender at Caserta)

Ron

 

Ron,

Must have been a very expensive week of firework displays, the Guards gunners also created some coloured smoke:

http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/45781-the-news-guardian-gad-and-intelligence-report-may-45/?p=539567

 

By the look of the rubbish escaping from the hot air saloon at Westminster - you need to resurrect Guy Fawkes anytime soon…can't deport criminals..ssshheesshh !

Cheers

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-24831511

 

25 years ago, they used to throw fireworks from the parade and the Old Bill sensibly stayed in the pub.

It's East Hoathly bonfire and remembrance parade tomorrow night. If anyone's down that way, feel free to quaff a couple of pints of Harvey's in the Forresters' and throw a few bangers for me !