So, to mark the occasion, I decided to do a little research into the background of it.
As I was looking, I discovered some rather interesting stuff, so I thought I would share it with you wonderful people :)
As most of you probably know, Guy Fawkes night is celebrated on the fifth of November, in commemoration of the day in 1605 when the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament with gunpowder was discovered in time to prevent the explosion from destroying parliament. Primary school stuff, right?
Well did you know that even now, before every official state opening of the UK Parliament, there is a full-blown search of the building, top-to-bottom, by men in 16th century Yeomen's outfits?
True fact.
Did you also realise that there was, in fact, an act of Parliament decreed in January 1606 (2 months after the event), establishing the 5th November as a national public holiday? There was even a special prayer of thanks included in the Book of Common Prayer, and a special protestant church service dedicated to the divine intervention which saved King James' life, which was listed in the Anglican church calendar every year until 1859.
So why should we celebrate it?
Just imagine what would have happened if the plot had not been uncovered! It would have been the 17th century equivalent of 9/11 and the death of Princess Diana combined. There were 36 barrels of gunpowder found under the House of Lords, and according to a TV programme from 2002 entitled 'The Gunpowder Plot- Exploding the Legend' even if only half of the Gunpowder had exploded, every person in the building and in the area around it would have been killed. Instantly.
So this bonfire night, as you brave the cold to stand in a field and make the typical 'ooh!' 'ahh!' 'eee!' noises required at these sorts of occasions, just remember how Bonfire night is a celebration of much more than just an excuse for writing your name in sparklers (fun though that is!).
Alles liebe,
Louise
x
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