Cambridge: Guido “Guy” Fawkes Night
Yesterday was “Guy Fawkes Night” here on the island. Havn’t heard of it until a few days ago when they told me… “ahhh Nov. 5th, got to see the fireworks.” I did. There were a lot of people and a fair-like atmosphere with a big traditional bonfire. Was nice. I put a check-mark next to this event and went home. Today I decided to read more of this Fawkes character. Interesting findings, as follows.
Guy Fawkes is most famous for his involvement in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, which he was placed in charge with executing due to his military and explosives experience. The plot, masterminded by Robert Catesby, was a failed attempt by a group of provincial English Roman Catholic conspirators to kill King James I of England and VI of Scotland, his family, and most of the Protestant aristocracy in one swoop by blowing up the Houses of Parliament during its State Opening.
Guy was caught…
He was tortured over the next few days, after special permission to do so had been granted by the King. Eventually, he revealed the names of his co-conspirators… On January 31, Fawkes, Wintour, and a number of others implicated in the conspiracy were taken to Old Palace Yard in Westminster, where they were hanged, drawn, and quartered.
(emphasis mine)
Now, in case you didn’t click on hanged, drawn, and quartered because you thought it was your traditional run-of-the-mill medieval torture, here is what it actually means:
1. Dragged on a hurdle (a wooden frame) to the place of execution.
2. Hanged by the neck, but removed before death.
3. Disembowelled, and the genitalia and entrails burned before the victim’s eyes; the heart was the last to be removed and was then shown to the victim before the entrails were burned.
4. Beheaded and the body divided into four parts (quartered).
Yes, it hurts (the French version is at the bottom of the page.)
Another anecdotal piece of information is that the popular use of the word “guy” as in “what’s up guy?” is attributed to Guy Fawkes. Besides that, I want one of those funky hats!
Read all the wikipedia articles for more info about this character and about this somewhat odd of a celebration.
Oh, was Fawkes framed???
November 6th, 2005 at 12:52 pm
NPR reminded me that Guy Fawkes day was coming up and I did wonder what you would make of it.
Pretty gory on the torture part. I’m pretty sure drawing and quartering did not originate with James.
Is your emphasis because of current world events? Sadly, it does seem not much has changed, doesn’t it? The world is embroiled in conflicts of values ostensibly about religion and torture is being condoned.
Is Halloween celebrated with trick or treating where you are?
Now for something completely different: How is food there?
November 13th, 2005 at 8:49 am
[...] Today I was on another long bike ride in Cambridgeshire (~23 miles.) We were told a few castles are on the way… on hills, no less (for reference, this area is completely flat.) We looked, but no castles presented themselves. BUT! I managed to see a small sign on the side of the road pointing to “Giant’s Hill Medieval Castle.” Images of torture and fighting raced through my head (see my Guy Fawkes post) and I was excited to make the turn. Much to my disappointment, on the small mound laid an unfinished castle. By “unfinished,” I mean nothing was there except a mud mound and a moat. Apparently, they built the moat first. Curiously enough, there is a WWI-era base for mounting an anti-aircraft cannon on the mound. Go figure. [...]
January 6th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Something that isn’t mentioned in the history books and is something that should never, never be forgot.
Is that in 1906 word had been heard that King James was rewriting the bible for the benifit for control over Britain and of future souls.
Nobody today sees this as a great crime or an act of treason against the human race. Royalty and the rich have used this evil book to confuse and manipulate millions.
Down with James and praise to Guido for trying to save us from the blood shed of the modern day crusades!
In future, let’s put the king on the fire and while the sky explodes in colour, let us admire Mr.Fawkes, the everyday man, who stood up and fort against these filthy tyrants and dictators.