Arrest of Guy Fawkes at the Houses of Parliament
5th Nov 1605, Getty
Why was Guy Fawkes Night so popular? The first reason was the spectacular nature of the event that it commemorated. Had the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 succeeded, it would have killed much of the English political nation, including some of the royal family, aristocracy and leading gentry, as well as demolishing Westminster Palace & the Abbey. They intended to overthrow the existing monarch & government, and to end Protestant dominance. In its place the plotters planned to restore the Roman Catholic religion and re-enthrone a Catholic royal.
Secondly many citizens believed the government message that this had only been averted by divine good luck: thus an explosion of relief.The newly Protestant nation was remarkably bare of regular festivity. So the third reason for the event’s success was the return to a very rich festive calendar of religious and secular seasonal celebration enjoyed in Merry England’s Middle Ages but ended with the Reformation. The plot’s failure provided a major annual opportunity for merrymaking. And November was the onset of winter, when spirits needed lifting.
The result was a combination of benefits, combining patriotism, communal solidarity and a instinctive seasonal need to produce a yearly festival of emotion and flexibility.
A day of remembrance came with an Act of Parliament early in 1606 (repealed in 1859). It required that every 5th Nov a sermon be preached in every parish church, commemorating God’s delivery from the terrifying Catholic threat. The deliverance of James I from assassination had to be celebrated in Anglican services since there was a need to firmly establish Britain as a strong Protestant nation in the face of Catholic threats from overseas, and at home. Compulsory Gunpowder sermons gave citizens their “annual inoculation” against the “Popery Disease”.
By making 5th Nov a part of religious culture, the event remained in the public mind and spilled over into the much loved bonfires and firework displays. But given today’s secular modernity, why does an event so rooted in an antiquated religious controversy remain important, even if the event itself no longer carries the same meaning?
Many of these sermons survived in print. Yet it was clear almost from the beginning that the thanksgiving in church was accompanied by more secular, civic celebrations in towns and cities: bonfires, fireworks and distribution of drink to citizens. Australia only stopped in the late 1970s, on safety grounds.
By the C19th, the celebrations were appropriated by working-class communities in defiance of the orderly values of the urban elite. It was also in the C19th that Guy Fawkes became the figure regularly burned in effigy on bonfires, although later periods of crisis could encourage other, more contemporary brutes being burned.
Even when the bonfires lost their sectarian spark, they still charged the collective imagination. They amplified protest, excused rowdiness and reinforced parish unity, as well as remembering the near annihilation of the Establishment. Now historians ask how are terror networks created and sustained? What price nationalism? What cost security?
21st century
The most important reason for the holiday’s survival has been its very adaptability. And not just in Britain.
Anonymous, founded on-line in 2003, operated as a leaderless hacktivist group made of up of anons around the world. Guy Fawkes became an unofficial mascot for the group, which aimed to shed light on corrupt government and to free people from oppression. The main character in the comic book series V for Vendetta wore a Guy Fawkes mask. This character was often associated with protests against authority, making it a perfect fit for Anonymous. The group used Guy Fawkes Night as a time for action, holding the annual Million Mask March to bring attention to its causes.
Even when the bonfires lost their sectarian spark, they still charged the collective imagination. They amplified protest, excused rowdiness and reinforced parish unity, as well as remembering the near annihilation of the Establishment. Now historians ask how are terror networks created and sustained? What price nationalism? What cost security?
21st century
The most important reason for the holiday’s survival has been its very adaptability. And not just in Britain.
Anonymous, founded on-line in 2003, operated as a leaderless hacktivist group made of up of anons around the world. Guy Fawkes became an unofficial mascot for the group, which aimed to shed light on corrupt government and to free people from oppression. The main character in the comic book series V for Vendetta wore a Guy Fawkes mask. This character was often associated with protests against authority, making it a perfect fit for Anonymous. The group used Guy Fawkes Night as a time for action, holding the annual Million Mask March to bring attention to its causes.
Anonymous protest, in Brussels
2012, Wiki
Occupy Vienna 2021
Reuters
In 2021 anti-establishment and anti-vaxxer protesters wore Guy Fawkes masks as they made their way across London tonight setting of rockets, flares and fireworks. The annual march is in its 9th year and sees protesters rallying against the government rules and more recently lockdown restrictions, mask wearing and vaccinations.
Protesters set Boris Johnson effigies alight in Trafalgar Square as well as lighting fireworks. A crowd watched, yelling: burn, Boris, burn. The Metropolitan police were forced to erect barricades across the city and to deploy officers in riot gear; it was very dangerous.
In 2021, Guy Fawkes’ devilish moustache and thin goatee also showed up in Latin America, North America, Europe, South Korea and Hong Kong. The mask had been adopted as the talisman for a new disaffected generation who were raging against corporate greed, increasing economic inequality, the police and Covid vaccination programmes. Asked why this particular mask was so popular, protesters said it was because it had become an international symbol for rebellion and anonymity.
20 comments:
I remember Guy Fawkes Night very fondly, for family togetherness, community solidity, awesome scenes and seasonal excitement. But I didn't know anything about patriotism or religious controversy.
Hello Hels, This reminds me of many college traditions, which start in fun but get out of hand until the authorities have to put a stop to them. The crowd seems to spark excitement while absolving the participants from responsibility. Some of this may be excused as "letting off steam" but much of the severer part is intentional and planned.
--Jim
Deb
I too remember the skyrockets and penny bungers, the shared bonfire with the neighbours and our dads getting involved. I even knew why the Gunpowder Plot on 5th November was planned and how it was foiled. But Westminster patriotism and religious goals were a long way removed from Melbourne in 1950-69, weren't they?
Parnassus
I suppose the modern anti-establishment and anti-vaxxer protesters are entitled to argue for the causes they believe in. But the masks that fully hide the face, the wild flares and their protesters' brutality scare the very communities they are apparently supporting.
How ironic. Robert Catesby and his Catholic friends created a plan to kill the king, Prince of Wales and all the parliamentary ministers who had oppressed Catholics. The end doesn't always justifies the means.
Hi Hels - I always loved bonfire night ... and enjoy firework displays. Here in Lewes, Sussex we have the largest and most well known of the bonfire societies ... I went once - but the barrels of tar, and tar torches in the narrow streets were intimidating - can't say I enjoyed it ... I saw the 'guys' - but never got out to one of the Bonfire Society's actual bonfires and associated displays.
The history is fascinating - all the best - Hilary
Boa tarde minha querida amiga. Confesso que não conhecia essa parte da história e matéria.
I'm not in favor of celebrating anything with bonfires and fireworks. Even the word 'fire' itself scares me.
I'm also not in favor of Guy Fawkes style marches of protest, as they usually end up in violence.
Hilary
history is fascinating, I agree. It is still a pleasure reading history blogs, books etc after all these years.
But here is the surprise - history can change, with a] the passage of time and b] according to the writers' perspectives. I was surprised to read of Bonfire Night celebrating something other than saving Parliament from being blown up, back in 1605. And I am even more surprised by Joan of Arc becoming a modern symbol of female power, instead of a tragic symbol of Christian martyrdom. This post will come soon.
Luiz
of course :) Every nation celebrates its own special day in its own special way, be it Independence Day or something else important locally. But imagine if Brazilian Carnaval was taken over by a dark movement and totally lost its colour and excitement.
DUTA
When Robert Catesby's team were caught guarding a cache of explosives placed beneath the House of Lords, King James' Council encouraged the nation's citizens to celebrate the king's survival with bonfires, providing they were without any danger or disorder. Bonfires and fireworks were used in thanks for the safe past, and with faith in a healthy, safe future.
But you are right that fires, loud bangs and street parades can equally represent danger.
I may like to see Boris burn for different reasons to the protestors.
In my youth, Guy Fawkes night was celebrated here, often called Bonfire Night or Cracker Night. It was great fun but resulted in many injuries to people and especially to animals.
Fireworks were banned and that was the end of Guy Fawkes night in Australia. Not a bad thing in my opinion.
Fireworks were banned in Qld in 1972 and then in each state over the next few years. Certainly Bonfire Night accidents had to be prevented, but it might have been possible to appoint one fireworks father in each suburb, keeping all the children well away from the action. Then Anonymous may not have moved into the vacant space.
Andrew
the more I have thought about Bonfire Night over the last couple of weeks, the less I see the relevance of the 1605 events to modern Australia. Yes it was relevant to us that crims tried to destroy the Parliament in London, its members and buildings.. and they failed! But more terrible things have happened in the UK and in Australia that we do not celebrate. Perhaps our parents and grandparents thought "any excuse for a great outdoor party!"
Joseph
rewriting history is a fascinating experience. But I wonder if Anonymous and other anti-government or anarchist groups would have picked up this particular group of values and celebrations, or anything else they happened to notice. To suggest Guy Fawkes masks were an international symbol for rebellion and anonymity was wrong, but it didn't matter, did it?
I have always thought of the Fireworks and Bonfires on Nov 5th more of a reminder of history rather than a celebration.
Here is a link to a post I wrote about the original event.
http://www.cheriesplace.me.uk/blog/index.php/2014/11/05/remember-remember/
CherryPie
excellent reference, thanks. And at first, I agree with you that the yearly event was important because the nation had to be reminded about a horrible era of history. It was appropriate that serious sermons were given in churches every year, commemorating God’s delivery from the terrifying Catholic threat.
But within a fairly short time, I imagine that the fear of blowing up Parliament faded and other national issues arose. It is not amazing that celebrations became the most important aspect of Bonfire Night.. but it is amazing that for 400+ years, we are still celebrating.
Well it is also interesting to consider bonfire night and its use to attempt to intimidate the Catholics of Northern Ireland . Apparently that night and the building giant piles of flammable stuff near Catholic communities is still a big thing in Northern Ireland .
I find that sort of aggression and attitude horrible. Its disrespectful and just not what we need right now. Things that go "bang" and create chaos have always been popular with a certain type of person( mostly hot headed not too bright young men) and have been coopted by those who want way more influence usually from the far right , than their numbers would suggest they should have . We have to be on guard against these dark forces as we battle to keep a civilized respectful inclusive society .
mem
you have verified what DUTA wrote, that Guy Fawkes style protest marches, bonfires and explosions usually end up in violence. If these activities are being consciously used to intimidate the Catholics of Northern Ireland, it can be very fearful and dangerous indeed.
Similarly the Sanskrit Swastika indicated good luck, the infinity of creation and the unconquered sun. But once it became the symbol of Nazism and extermination, just a simple swastika flag can be very fearful and dangerous to passersby today.
A most recent example of rewriting history is the right wing’s account of January 06 riot and attempted overthrow of Biden’s legitimate election. Such amazing lies, visiting tourists, antifa caused it, with help from the FBI. Goebbels must be laughing in his grave.
William
Very frightening. We normally think of rewriting history in the years long after the event, when all the government papers have been released and analysed, and the journalists and academics have published their critiques.
You example suggests that the events of 6th January 2021 were pre-planned, and now the right wing wants to ensure that the "proper" meanings and not the official findings are accepted.
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