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British Culture: ALPHABET (G)
5년 전Hi all!
I'm writing about British culture. I thought a cool way to introduce some British culture into the Verbling community would be to work through the alphabet and talk about a topic for each letter.
So, for G we are focusing on.....Guy Fawkes.
Guy Fawkes is an interesting albeit rather controversial character of British History. Back in the 1600s religion was a very important part of life in England. Christianity was the main religion but was divided into Protestantism and Catholicism. Since the reign of Henry VIII, Protestantism was supported by the Crown (the Royal Family) and those who were Catholic faced persecution. The Royal Family themselves were Protestants. This led to a lot of issues. There were many problems during the reign of Elizabeth I, which you can read about here:https://www.hartfordstage.org/stagenotes/hamlet/elizabethan-era
The King who followed Elizabeth I was James I. During James I’s reign Catholics and Protestants were still fighting. The Gunpowder Plot took place during this time. The Gunpowder Plot was an attempt by Catholics, led by Guy Fawkes, to get rid of the King and Protestant rule. In November 1605, the infamous Gunpowder Plot took place in which a group of Catholics plotted to blow up the English Parliament and King James l, on the day set for the King to open Parliament. It didn’t work, the King and his soldiers found out and Guy Fawkes and his friend were caught and captured.
The story is remembered each 5th November.In schools children are taught the poem:
"Remember, remember, the fifth of November,Gunpowder, treason and plot.We see no reason whyGunpowder treasonShould ever be forgot!"
It used to be the case that people would create “guys”, which were effigies of Guy Fawkes himself. These were taken door to door and children and families were given money after asking “penny for the guy?”. The effigy of “Guy” would eventually end up as a central part of a bonfire, lit on the evening of November 5th.
It is, however, more common these days for people to not have bonfires or make Guys but to go to Firework displays instead. These are held in cities and towns across the country on November 5th or close to November 5th (the weekend before or after). Some people also let off Fireworks in their gardens and play with Sparklers (hand held Fireworks).
