Remember Remember the 5th of November

Unbeknownst to most polite American society, British people, on the 5th of November, celebrate the catching and burning at the stake of Guy Fawkes, a chap who in 1605 decided to try and blow up the houses of Parliament. He was a papist [Catholic] by the way. He was caught, and the 'gunpowder plot' foiled. [Actually he was hung, drawn and quartered, then presumably burned at the stake. Allegedly. It was a long time ago,I can't remember.]

When I find myself having to explain this to anyone who is not a british type, I am struck by how incredibly prejudiced wrong word, more pig ignorant and shocking this practise is. The fact that it also happened 399 years ago is also quite hard for most people to relate to. It's no wonder we have this reputation for being complete barbarians, which of course we are.

An informative link about poor old Guy Fawkes. What a baddy.

There is a rhyme that commemorates the day:

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...
[thanks to rhymes.org.uk]

We learn it as children.