Remember, remember! The 5th of November, the gunpowder, the treason and plot…
Despite the fact that we are now a week into November and usually wrapped up warm, the sun is still shining, the pollution is still low and it’s still remarkably warm (apple weather told me it was due to get up to 25 today). With so much uncertainty in the world, Covid spikes, lockdowns and border closures, it is important that there are so many things to remain grateful for even though it may be difficult to do so at times. As always, it is ‘ok’ not to be ‘ok’ and we need to look after each other and just be kind.
We are at the end of SPTC week which, while it was not our usual opportunity to greet families face to face, afforded the first real opportunity for many to have a ‘proper’ conversation. During my walks-around, I did not manage to speak to many people because they were actively on calls, however those I did speak to were having very positive interactions and the general feedback was a reminder of just what great, supportive families we have here at BISS.
With yesterday being the 5th November, I was thinking about the events which put the date on our calendar and actually just what an example of how not to be kind. I won’t go into the political situation which brought about the foiled gunpowder plot, rather I want to explore the aftermath of how Fawkes and his allies were treated. The punishment for treason was to be hanged, drawn and quartered, definitely not a humane punishment. According to the article I was reading, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/magazine/2017/11-12/history-the-explosive-truth-about-guy-fawkes/), not only was Fawkes tortured before he confessed, he was not the mastermind behind the plot – it was one Robert Catesby (who, incidentally, escaped the same punishment as Fawkes and was killed in a shootout). I also learned from reading this article that Fawkes died of a broken neck after jumping from the gallows, so never was himself the recipient of the ‘full punishment’ (although his body was quartered). Several of his co-conspirators were subjected to the full punishment as a warning to other potential rebels. I am not sure that I really understood the meaning behind burning a ‘guy’ on the bonfire as a child and to be honest am not sure what I think of it now.
My dad was, apparently, in the local paper himself as a young man for playing with gunpowder himself in my grandad’s shed. He blew off the tip of his left little finger while making fireworks once and was most put out because the article warned that these things happen when you play with things you don’t understand. A chemist by trade, this was the sentiment he disagreed with – he knew exactly what he was doing thank you very much! Needless to say, fireworks always featured highly in my upbringing and the fact that I used watch the annual display at the Cadbury’s factory because my dad was involved in the firing used to bring great pleasure and pride. Sadly, my mom never was able to enjoy them because she just worried about my dad’s safety (unsurprisingly). We had a mini firework display in my parents’ garden the night before our wedding because, helping my dad with displays at other peoples’ weddings for years I couldn’t not let him have his fun.
I am incredibly fortunate to be able to say that my parents are both safe and well and I know that not everyone is able to say that. What I also want to say is that we are all finding various things difficult for a plethora of reasons and we really do need to look out for one another.
Happy Friday everyone and I hope you all have a safe and relaxing weekend.
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