Should the British continue to 'Remember, remember the fifth of November?

Should the British continue to  ‘Remember, remember the Fifth of November?’

On 5 November the Brits indulge in a tradition that seems quite innocuous at first sight.  They have a big bonfire, which is quite a good idea on a damp November night, they ignite some fireworks and watch the proceedings with hotdogs and a nice cup of tea.  Bonfires are lit in towns all over Britain, mostly small ones in back gardens with maybe a neighbour or two to enjoy the fun and a little camaraderie.

Country life gets a boost too.  It adds to the occasion when the villagers turn off their TVs, put on their wellies and wend their way in the darkness to a suitable venue, where the fire will be contained and the fireworks organised by a team of responsible people aware of the fact that what comes up will also come down.  So rockets are aimed to go up and away and  handling fireworks is limited to the chosen few.   It is a family event in every way, although a very noisy one hated by babies, dogs and cats as it is characterised by ‘big bangers’ and flashing lights.

So what inspired all this fun and bonhomie?  A man who knew a thing or two about gunpowder.  And why is it not quite the innocent family affair that it appears to be?  Take a look at the top of the bonfire, you will see an effigy of a man called Guy Fawkes, and on November the 5th the British people love to see him burn. 

It’s the children who prepare the ‘guy’ as it is called.  They stuff a pair of their dad’s old trousers and worn out pullover with straw, belt them together, and  paint a face or fasten a mask to an old pillowcase.  A hat may be added if one is available.   Close to November 5th a variety of guys take to the streets.  They used to be little money makers for the children when the cry went up ‘Penny for the Guy’ but this seems to have died out in many areas now when children are not lacking for pocket money nor encouraged to stand around street corners asking for money.

Guy was the ‘hit man’ in the famous or infamous Gun Powder Plot of 1606 when a conspiracy of Roman Catholics wanted  Protestant James 1 and his government blown to kingdom come. Guy  might have succeeded in his mission if someone had not advised a Catholic peer to stay at home that day.  Suspicion was aroused and Guy Fawkes and his gunpowder were discovered in the cellars of  the House of Lords. He was arrested, tortured and eventually hanged, drawn and quartered. 

So on November 5th we celebrate the death of a terrorist, although there are some who may call him  a hero who was prepared to kill or die for his faith.

Now I’m not against a good hot bonfire, but I think it is time we lost the effigy on top of it.  Also we should change its name and forget the grisly past.  Make it just a jolly event on a cold night and a reason to go outside and mingle with our neighbours.

Maybe our children no longer give a thought to Guy Fawkes as they stand in the cold around a welcome bonfire, eat their hot dogs and enjoy the magic of the fireworks.  I hope that is the case as times have moved on and Catholics and  Protestants in England are no longer divided as they were 500 years ago. 

Unfortunately people do not generally learn from history and in some parts of our divided world  people still try to enforce their religious/political ideas on others and kill in the name of God.   I can only hope that the memories of those who suffer as the result of modern terrorism will be shorter than those of the English.      

‘Remember remember the fifth of November,

Gunpowder, treason and plot?  I think not!’