Elizabeth Borelli
College Libertarian
—
Remember, remember, the Fifth of November
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot.
I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason
should ever be forgot.
I don’t know how many of you know who Guy Fawkes was, but since I cannot assume all of you, it’s time for a history lesson.
Guy Fawkes was a Roman Catholic living in England during the reign of King James I of England (V of Scotland). At that time, protestantism ruled in England and Catholics were prosecuted, as protestants had been in the past. Up until his death, Fawkes fought for the catholic cause in any way possible, most notably as a soldier under the name Guido.
In 1605, Guy Fawkes planted 36 barrels of gun powder under the English Parliament, inside which was the King and the entirety of the protestant parliament, as well as the few catholic members. He was caught before igniting the load, and tried along with other known conspirators. He was sentenced to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, but jumped from his scaffold, breaking his neck and avoiding the latter part of the sentence.
Many people see this treason as an extremist action. I have not been known to be the biggest fan of extreme catholics at any point of my life. But if one looks at things from the other side…we might see that this plot was against a government that served only the purposes of the crown. There were many catholics living in England, even in disguise as protestants. These people were discriminated against, wrongfully accused, tortured, burned at the stake, and more. To Fawkes, I’m sure his actions seemed an attack against tyranny.
There is a movie (based on a graphic novel) that plays on the ideals of Guy Fawkes and his day. It is called V for Vendetta. And this year the College Libertarians held a free screening. There wasn’t a very large turnout, maybe fifty people or so. But at the end, there was a standing ovation. Not just because it is a good movie, but because it portrays a world in which the government of a country has completely taken over and brainwashed its population. One man – a masked vigilante in a Guy Fawkes mask – repeats the gunpowder treason. And through one person he thoroughly converts, he succeeds. A new world begins.
Guy Fawkes day holds a message of liberty and freedom. Food for thought: Why is this message significant in our world, in our country, in our lives today?
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Thank you for posting this. I wasn’t aware and now feel a bit better off for knowing this tidbit of history. Oddly enough, I think most of our government would be better off if THEY would read it and remember. Obviously they are comfortable in their, “It can never happen here to me” mentality. Sadly, if they don’t change their course, some day, someone will prove it can.
A roll for the three per centers if things don’t change very soon. Liberalism has gone too far as it is. As the Fort Hood massacre is a perfect example of political correctness run amok.