Firle Place

We are in the middle of the Bonfire season in Sussex to celebrates the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and last weekend it was the turn of Firle village.
Firle Place is the ancestral home of the Gage family, was originally a Tudor mansion and is on our tour itenerary next year.
John Gage was the Constable of the Tower of London and was responsible to organise the execution of Catherine Howard, Henry VIII's 5th wife. Major General Thomas Gage was the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces during the American war of Independence.

Sussex has a proud tradition of celebrating the Gunpowder plot, most towns and villages have a bonfire society that raises money throughout the year with profits being donated to charity, each society holds an alloted bonfire night and torchlit procession during the season. The season starts on the 6th September and the culmination of all of these is the county town of Lewes for a mamouth night of celebration where all the societies gather on the 5th November. Uniquely in Sussex Firle Bonfire and firework display was held in the private grounds of Firle place and it was a fantastic display set to music.

A few things to explain before looking at the web photos. The whole thing is of course historically anti-catholic and no Popery here, that accounts for the burning crosses. The two priests on the scaffold are there to harrangue the crowd before the fireworks are set off. Whilst they are doing this the locals are throwing fireworks at them (and scoring hits), it is considered to be a great honour to chosen as the priests.

Each society choses a costume theme for a couple of years and Firle have a Mexican theme. There are also the bonfire boys dressed as smugglers(hooped shirts) and each society has its own colours.
Every year a hate figure is chosen to be the tableau pulled through the streets. This year it was Peter Andre and his ex wife Jordan (aka Katie Price). A mediocre singer and ex glamour model with huge implants who met on a reality TV show. These tableau are full of explosives and fireworks which get set off seperately from the main display.

As for jumping the fire, well that's just insane!

enjoy the photos



www.firlebonfire.com

www.tudorhistorytours.com