Monday, November 05, 2007

Remember Remember the Fifth of November

The "Gunpowder Plot" Conspirators

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot.
..

Today is Guy Fawkes Day - the traditional day for engaging in all manner of anti-Catholic / anti-Popery activities in the U.K. (mostly bonfires these days, which seem to have lost much, if not all, of their anti-Catholic connotations).

Fr. Longenecker, however, writes about one place in England where the anti-Popery connections are alive and well.


Roman Christendom also has an informative post on Guy Fawkes Day: "Remember, remember the Gunpowder Plot: treason or lies?"


And here is Jimmy Akin's post from last November titled "George Washington v. Guy Fawkes Day", which details His Excellency General George Washington's orders to the Continental Troops (in no uncertain terms) that Guy Fawkes Day and the traditional burning of the Pope in effigy was NOT to be celebrated:
"As the Commander in Chief has been apprized of a design form'd for the observance of the ridiculous and chidish custom of burning the Efficgy of the pope - He cannot help expressing his surprise that there should be Officers and Soldiers in this army so void of common sense, as not to see the impropriety of such a step at the Huncture; at a Time when we are solliciting, and have really obtain'd, the friendship and alliance of the people of Canada, whom we ought to consider as Brethren embarked in the same Cause. The defence of the general Liberty of America: At such a juncture, and in such Cirumstances, to be insulting their Religion, is so monstrous, as not to be suffered or excused; indeed instead of offereng the most remote insult, it is our duty to address public thanks to these our Brethren, as to them we are so much indebted for every late happy Success over the common Enemy in Canada."

(Writings of Washington, Vol 4 Oct. 1775-Apr, 1776, page 65, US Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1931)
More on that at "George Washington, Enemy of the Bonfire":
Scholars have ... traced the dissapearance of Pope Day celebrations to this document. Pope Day was the name given to the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day in the colonies.


UPDATE
Recta Ratio also has a post on the subject of Guy Fawkes, which includes a couple of interesting links - especially this one.

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