Please to remember
Guy Fawkes
Please to remember,
The Fifth of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot;
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
Nursery rhyme origin
This rhyme commemorates the day in 1605 when a group of Roman Catholics including Guy (or Guido) Fawkes, were caught in the act of trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament. The conspiracy, led by Robert Gatesby was foiled, and Guy Fawkes was found in the Houses of Parliament as his job was to ignite the gunpowder – probably because he had experience of ammunitions (gained as a soldier), and from then until the present day, he has been the most famous of the gunpowder plotters.
When news of the plot got out, Londoners were so relieved that the conspirators had been caught that they lit bonfires throughout the city as a celebration. Over the centuries the celebrations have become more elaborate and now fabulous firework displays are a feature throughout England on the night of November 5th.
A typical firework display on 5th November
A week or so prior to that, children used to make effigies of Guy Fawkes which they took door to door asking for ‘A penny for the Guy’. Traditionally the money was spent on fireworks, but with health and safety concerns, shops are no longer allowed by law to sell fireworks to children. This means that the money is spent on other things and the whole ‘begging’ has come into disrepute. In fact nowadays you rarely see children asking for a penny for the guy.
On Bonfire Night these Guys are traditionally burnt on top of a bonfire.