Gunpoder, treason and plot

We are having fireworks after supper this evening with hot toddy and parkin. The excuse is that Sunday is the 5th - Guy Fawkes night, originally ordered to be observed by act of parliament. It was coupled with church attendance where prayers were said in thanksgiving for England's deliverance from a Catholic plot to blow up King and Parliament. Whilst we no longer give too much credence to that kind of motive it is quite a good idea to celebrate the pushing back of the dark by the fire of the Holy Spirit and the brightness of the Saints.

"Horrible Histories" are an excellent series of books to get youngsters interested in history by leaving "all the nasty bits in". Here is Gunpowder Plot from "The Slimy Stuarts" by Terry Deary.

"The date: November 5th 1605. Guy Fawkes is caught in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament, tortured and executed.
As an example to others, an execution for treason was super-savagely slimy. After hanging the victim for a few moments he was cut down and cut open. His guts were thrown on to a fire before he was beheaded and cut into quarters.
Guy cheated the executioner, who wanted Guy to really suffer. When the rope was placed round Guy's neck he jumped off the ladder so that his neck broke. He was dead when they cut him open - and the executioner was dead disappointed.
The English peopel were so shocked at the thought of losing their new king that James became more popular than ever.......and the Catholics more hated and feared. Or was that what James wanted? A Catholic visitor to England in 1605 said 'Some people are sure that this was a trap. The government tricked these men.' So, did slimy James 'set up' Guy Fawkes to be caught? Not everybody loved James. He needed to give the English a shock. He needed to say, 'You'd be worse off if I was dead!' so he arranged an attempt on his life. A failed attempt, naturally."