Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The Gunpowder, treason, and plot,
I know of no reason why gunpowder treason
Should even be forgot!
The Gunpowder, treason, and plot,
I know of no reason why gunpowder treason
Should even be forgot!
Much has been written here about Guy Fawkes (e.g. Tuesday, November 11, 2008).
According to several sources, Guy Fawkes (13 April 1570 – 31 January 1606), also known as Guido Fawkes, the name he adopted while fighting for the Spanish in the Low Countries, was a bad-ass who belonged to a group of Roman Catholics from England who planned the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Their aim was to displace Protestant rule by blowing up the Houses of Parliament while King James I and the entire Protestant, and even a bunch of the Catholic, aristocracy were inside.
The Gunpowder Plot was led by Robert Catesby, but Fawkes, the heavy, was put in charge of its execution.
Turn the page a few hundred years: Guy Fawkes Night (or "bonfire night"), held on 5 November in the United Kingdom, is a commemoration of the plot, during which an effigy of Fawkes is burned, often accompanied by a fireworks display.
A sidebar: Supposedly, the word "guy", meaning "man" or "person", is derived from his name.
Now, most of us in the U.S. don't "celebrate" Guy Fawkes Night; however, there is a Sir and Lady here in Southern Indiana who do. And they do it very well. I am officially declaring Sir Steve of Powers’ and Lady Mary Ann of Powers’ Guy Fawkes Night to be the GREATEST GUY FAWKES PARTY outside the U.K.
(Until I’m proven wrong, the KMSA seal is as official as it gets).
Lady Suzanne laughing at a little boy who is yelling, "Burn him!"
This year’s party included copious amounts of English food and ales, the burning of Guy, fireworks, dodge ball for the kids (unrelated, but fun), and this year also featured an opera singer who just returned from New York auditions.
She sang, among other beautiful songs, Rusalka -- sung in Czech.
Evidently, from what I could find about this Rusalka, a water nymph, bargains with the sea witch to become human so she can win the love of the Prince. But the deal is deadly. There was something about the moon in there, too. Well, you'll just have to research the rest yourself.
Let's just say that it was a perfectly eclectic end to a wonderful party.
A walk by the Ohio River later than night (actually early the next morning) capped off a most memorable evening.
Sir Bowie found some Strongbow to bring to the festivities!So, for one night and morning in Newburgh, Indiana, Old Knight friends and new friends got together for English ales and ciders, English food, burning of Guy, fireworks, opera around the campfire... basically a night of eating, drinking, and being merry!
Thanks Sir Steve
and Lady Mary Ann of Powers!
Sir Bowie "who hopes to burn Guy for many years to come!" of Greenbriar
P.S. Here is one of the latest "Cooking with Beer" recipe. Fillet Mignon with butter peppers and onion in a "Fireside Nut Brown." 41 down/37 to go!
I recall being invited to this last year, but alas, I missed it again! Please remember to include me and Lady A next year!
ReplyDeleteSir Hook Who's Still Holding His Match of Warrick
Funny to see the Strongbow in full display in the US... :) and as i said to Bowie the other day i really must track down some of that Fireside Nut Brown, sounds delicious
ReplyDeleteSo while Oxford burned a Wicker Man, over the weekend (which we called Guy....cos the people decide what the people want to call things..) you guys were carrying on the centuries old tradition, unbroken for over 400 years.
When the Founding Fathers and the ladies came to our shores, this summer just gone.. , indeed to my city of Oxford, the city's historical Museum, the Ashmolean, was closed for a $120 million dollar extention and improvement.
On Saturday 7th Nov the museum opened its doors, once more, and with them the 40 brand new rooms....... and best of all, back home to its owners, came one of the prides of the museum from where it had been on loan to the Houses of Parliament. Yes! the actual dark lantern that Guy Fawkes was holding when he was arrested and just about to light the fuses from it
you can see it if you click this link below, or you can google 'guy fawkes lantern' for even better pictures.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/oxford/content/articles/2005/10/27/guyfawkes_lantern.shtml
I popped in to see the lantern, in the afternoon, seeing as it was his weekend, and saw it in its brand new glass casement, a tangible piece of history, as we imagined his gunpowder grimed fingers grasping the lamp as he made his way into the dark cellars.
So lets hear it for the original
Fall Guy and may the heat from winter bonfires warm your souls for many years to come.
Sir D of Oxford.
Strongbow, Newcastle...it was all good...thank you to Sir and Lady Powers!
ReplyDeleteA wonderful night to remember with a wonderful husband and good friends - a true celebration of Fall and an English tradition - eclectic in that we also had Ava Maria sung around the bonfire - you had to be there!!
Next year...
Now, singing Ave Maria shows the true colors of the evening. I know Sir and Lady Powers from our Church, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
ReplyDeleteIt would appear the evening was a cross between celebrating English and Catholic heritage. To that I can drink to both!
Yes, Sir D, the Leinenkugel Fireside Nut Brown is like drinking desert! Is it legal to ship you some?
Sir Hook the Fireside Nut of Warrick