Guy Fawkes Theme

Guy Fawkes (April 13, 1570 — January 31, 1606) was a central figure in the infamous Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Parliament building in England, killing the king, his family, and most of the Protestant aristocracy to overthrow the government.

The plot failed, and Guy Fawkes was caught red-handed trying to light the 1800 pounds of explosives on November 5, 1605. He was held prisoner in the Tower of London where he was tortured for several days, only giving up the names of co-conspirators that were already dead or known to authorities, before finally signing a confession. Found guilty, he was hanged, drawn, and quartered on January 31, 1606.

One of the best known rhymes about the Gunpowder Plots starts:

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder, treason and plot,
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes Night, by Royal Decree, was first celebrated on the one-year anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot to celebrate the deliverance of the King. Fireworks are shot off, effigies of Guy Fawkes are burned in bonfires, people run around wearing Guy Fawkes masks, and it sounds like a real grand time.

In more contemporary times, there’s a movie called V for Vendetta (2005). An anarchist known only as “V” uses terrorist tactics to fight against the totalitarian society that the United Kingdom becomes, essentially a future version of the Guy Fawkes story. It includes what I consider one of the best opening introductions of a character ever! And it was while watching this movie I was first inspired to create a Guy Fawkes theme. =)

Members

Now, time for a quick shout out to everyone on Atlas Quest from the United Kingdom!

Letterboxing Cities

Here are all of the cities in the United Kingdom we’ve hit with letterboxes!