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| | '''Guy Fawkes''' was born on April 13, 1570 in Stonegate, York. He was an English soldier who had fought as a mercenary for the Spanish and part of the [[Roman Catholic]] [[terrorist]] group who tried to carry out the [[Gunpowder Plot]] on November 5, 1605. The plot was to assassinate King James I of [[England]] and the whole of [[Protestantism|protestant]] [[Parliament]] by blowing up the Palace of Westminster during the opening session of Parliament. This would have created a power vacuum, supposedly allowing the Catholic Church to seize power. A more likely reason for the plot is that it was an effort by Catholics to try and fight back against the strong anti-Catholic movement in the British government in the period of time around the Protestant Revolution. Fawkes was caught before he could put this plan into action. He was interrogated through [[torture]]. Torture was normally forbidden but James I permitted it with the words: "if he will not other wayes confesse, the gentler tortours are to be first usid unto him ''et sic per gradus ad ima tenditur'' [and so on step by step to the most severe] and so god spede youre goode worke."<ref>http://www.francesfarmersrevenge.com/stuff/archive/torture/london.htm</ref> Fawkes was ultimately put to death along with his co-conspirators for treason and attempted murder. He died on January 31, 1606, by being hung, drawn and quartered. | | '''Guy Fawkes''' was born on April 13, 1570 in Stonegate, York. He was an English soldier who had fought as a mercenary for the Spanish and part of the [[Roman Catholic]] [[terrorist]] group who tried to carry out the [[Gunpowder Plot]] on November 5, 1605. The plot was to assassinate King James I of [[England]] and the whole of [[Protestantism|protestant]] [[Parliament]] by blowing up the Palace of Westminster during the opening session of Parliament. This would have created a power vacuum, supposedly allowing the Catholic Church to seize power. A more likely reason for the plot is that it was an effort by Catholics to try and fight back against the strong anti-Catholic movement in the British government in the period of time around the Protestant Revolution. Fawkes was caught before he could put this plan into action. He was interrogated through [[torture]]. Torture was normally forbidden but James I permitted it with the words: "if he will not other wayes confesse, the gentler tortours are to be first usid unto him ''et sic per gradus ad ima tenditur'' [and so on step by step to the most severe] and so god spede youre goode worke."<ref>http://www.francesfarmersrevenge.com/stuff/archive/torture/london.htm</ref> Fawkes was ultimately put to death along with his co-conspirators for treason and attempted murder. He died on January 31, 1606, by being hung, drawn and quartered. |
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| − | His death is celebrated in Great Britain every year on [[Guy Fawkes Day]], 5<sup>th</sup> November with fireworks and bonfires. This festival originated in the 17th century as a celebration of the failure of the Gunpowder Plot, and an expression of anger at the conspirators (by burning Guy Fawkes in effigy), and was associated with English patriotism and anti-Catholic sentiments. Nowadays it has lost these connotations and is often known simply as "[[Bonfire Night]]". Traditionally a stuffed dummy or scarecrow, called a 'Guy', is put on the bonfire before it is lit. | + | His death is celebrated in Great Britain every year on [[Guy Fawkes Day]], 5th November with fireworks and bonfires. This festival originated in the 17th century as a celebration of the failure of the Gunpowder Plot, and an expression of anger at the conspirators (by burning Guy Fawkes in effigy), and was associated with English patriotism and anti-Catholic sentiments. Nowadays it has lost these connotations and is often known simply as "[[Bonfire Night]]". Traditionally a stuffed dummy or scarecrow, called a 'Guy', is put on the bonfire before it is lit. |
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| | A famous rhyme concerning Guy Fawkes goes as follows: | | A famous rhyme concerning Guy Fawkes goes as follows: |
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| − | :''Remember, remember the fifth of November,''<br> | + | :''Remember, remember the fifth of November,'' |
| − | :''Gunpowder, treason, and plot,''<br> | + | :''Gunpowder, treason, and plot,'' |
| − | :''I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason''<br> | + | :''I know of no reason why the gunpowder treason'' |
| − | :''Should ever be forgot.''<br> | + | :''Should ever be forgot.'' |
| − | :''Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent''<br> | + | :''Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, 'twas his intent'' |
| − | :''To blow up the King and Parliament.''<br> | + | :''To blow up the King and Parliament.'' |
| − | :''Three score barrels of powder below,''<br> | + | :''Three score barrels of powder below,'' |
| − | :''Poor old England to overthrow;''<br> | + | :''Poor old England to overthrow;'' |
| − | :''By God's providence he was catch'd''<br> | + | :''By God's providence he was catch'd'' |
| − | :''With a dark lantern and burning match.''<br> | + | :''With a dark lantern and burning match.'' |
| − | :''Holloa boys, holloa boys, make the bells ring.''<br> | + | :''Holloa boys, holloa boys, make the bells ring.'' |
| − | :''Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!''<br> | + | :''Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!'' |
| − | :''Hip hip hoorah!''<br> | + | :''Hip hip hoorah!'' |
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| | The rhyme is often shortened to the first four lines. | | The rhyme is often shortened to the first four lines. |