The Gunpowder plot 1605

The Bonfire Chant.
Remember, remember the 5th of November, for Gunpowder Treason and Plot...
I see no reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy, ‘twas his intent, to blow up the King and Parliament.
Three score barrels he laid below to prove old England’s overthrow.
By God’s mercy he was catched with a dark lantern and a lighted match.
Holla boys, holla boys, let the bells ring.
Holla boys, holla boys, God save the King.

The Gunpowder plot of 1605 was only two years after ELizabeth's death but the seeds were sown as far back as 1571. There were a total of ten plots from 1571 to 1603. Mary Queen of Scots was executed in 1587 and that led to the Spanish Armada. Religious ferment was never very far away with the catholics hoping for a return to the one true faith. The Gunpowder plot was intended to blow up the King and replace him with a catholic usurper.

Here in Sussex the 5th of November is celebrated in real style with the County town of Lewes closed for the day and 50,000 people crowd in to see 6 different torchlit processions, bonfires and firework displays. Bonfire societies from all over Sussex converge to parade in their costumes in the Grand Parade.

All in all a fantastic spectacle and one that puts the pollution monitors into overdrive for a few days.


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