A couple of days ago, there was a celebration of huge historical significance that I'd like to take a few minutes to highlight. On November 5, 1605 a group of conspirators came really close to assassinating the King of England and his Parliament at the time by blowing up the Palace of Westminister during the state opening. They planned to detonate 2.5 tons of gun powder under the palace. The plot was discovered and thwarted just hours before they planned to detonate. The reason for the plot was discontent with King James anti-Catholic policies and persecution. A small number of Catholics were involved including Guy Fawkes who became the literal face of the event as wells as for rebels today (think of the hacker group Anonymous). Although the recognized leader of the conspirators was Robert Catesby, Fawkes became the most recognized leader such that people began to commemorate the event by burning effigies of him....even today. He was arrested and tortured and forced to give up names of other conspirators. Attempting to kill the king was a high crime and punishable by hanging, drawn and quartered, physically castrated, and beheaded. This is what happened to those men.
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| Guy Fawks |
The writer Alan Moore drew on this history in his graphic novel V for Vendetta. I don't wanna spoil the movie or the novel (I would recommend both) but the character V is inspired by this historical event. He even wears the Fawkes mask and fits with what his ultimate mission is, Fawkes becomes an inspiration for fighting oppression. This is also what V for Vendetta is about. After more than 400 years, people remember this story by remembering a Nursery rhyme. Maybe you have heard it. Part of it is quoted in the movie.
Remember, remember, the Fifth of November, the Gunpowder Treason and Plot. I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot.
So why is this important for today? Think of what would have happened if Fawkes and Catesby had succeeded in killing King James 1? Well for starters given that he was the one who officially authorized an English translation of the scriptures - which became the King James Version - it is really important that he survived. He became King in 1603 and the new Bible begins to be published in 1611. His Protestantism played an important role in him making that decision. Also remembering that William Tyndale was executed (strangled and then burned at the stake) for publishing an English translation of the scriptures in 1536, explains just how important this is how much we take for granted having the Bible in our own language.
What Does "Remember, Remember the 5th of November" Mean? - WorldAtlas.com: “Remember, remember 5th November” is an expression referring to the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day.
Additionally, Britain still remembers this event and commemorates it. This year the BBC is airing a three-part mini-series dramatizing the event. It's called "Gun Powder". Interestingly, one of the producers and stars is Kit Harington. And Harington, who is a descended of men from both sides of this conflict as well as royalty, is playing his own ancestor Robert Catesby.
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