Guy Fawkes Night

Remember, remember the 5th of November, the Gunpowder Treason and plot!

I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent to blow up the King and Parliament. Three score barrels of powder below. Poor old England to overthrow. By God's Providence he was catch'd, with a dark lantern and burning match.

Holloa boys, Holloa boys, let the bells ring
Holloa boys, Holloa boys, God save the King!

Well it is Guy Fawkes Night here with bon fires and fireworks galore. We held our celebration last night as a chance to let the students relax after their second British Studies examination. Of course the rain came in around 5 o'clock but that couldn't dampen the festivities. The staff still managed to kindle a roaring fire out in the football pitch and everyone huddled in to keep warm. Thankfully just as the ceremonial portion of the night was to begin, the rain let up.

Our masters of ceremony, J.R. who is student government president for this semester called everyone to attention, while Sara (another student government person) showed off our very own Guy Fawkes effigy, designed to resemble a certain Harlaxton Principal though clearly one with hair.


J.R. then read the poem I've included above as tradition demands though he and I left out the second stanza which more clearly reflects the anti-Catholic feeling of the time. With the crowd shouting "God Save the King" three times, Sara and J.R. launched Guy Fawkes into the blaze and you can see him being consumed just about in the middle of the picture.

With that, the party continued with gingerbread men, (now soggy) popcorn, and a British attempt at smores. Despite the rain, you can plainly see these students were having a good time. We faculty members enjoyed the evening as well. Phil Taylor (on the left) and David Green (center) are two of the British Faculty here. Phil is a music historian specializing in the work of William Byrd while David is a medievalist. Both have been great colleagues and I will miss having them around when I leave! Immediately after this picture was taken, the rain came in again and I bolted back to the manor for hot cider and treacle toffee traditional for this night.

So raise a glass for England (though not those annoying, pesky puritans) sometime today and God Save the King!