The real origin of Bonfire night.

[Miss Mousetrousers]

Just to tell you a little-known fact I've recently come across. When Cockersand Abbey was dissolved in 1539 the canons were so angry that set fire to their entire store of alcoholic beverage so Henry VIII couldn't nick it for his own delectation. You could see the flames for miles! This extreme sacrifice had to be revenged, so they devised a cunning plan which was carefully guarded by one of the inhabitant's descendants and then carried out sixty six years later by a band of rebels. Unfortunately, apart from the fact they couldn't read it, they also had the plan upside-down which is why they decided to dig a tunnel underneath the Parliament building instead of firing a rocket down through the roof. One could almost say the Abbey was responsible for this particular celebration, but I couldn't possibly comment!

[veggiechicken]

You mean it had nothing to do with Hugh the Spy?
The story of the Welsh spy who brought Guy Fawkes into the Gunpowder Plot - Wales Online

[JanieB]

I always thought it was an excuse for non Christians who still followed old religions to have their Beltane Fire.

[Potstubsdustbins]

And I always thought it was just an excuse to have ...............fun

[Kirk]

I know the offical idea is we celebrate the failure of Guy to blow up the houses of parliment but you do get the impression that many celebrate the idea that at least he had a go, and we are celebrating his attempt at it, not his failure.

Many celebrations seem a bit odd, maybe the pagan ones were a better idea. Then again we still have most just under different names.

[Greenleaves]

I always thought it was an excuse for non Christians who still followed old religions to have their Beltane Fire.

????? Beltane is a Gaelic Festival and is in April

[Miss Mousetrousers]

Interesting post by Kirk as to the origins of certain festivals etc. Must look them up.

[burnie]

I thought pretty much all our festivals were of Pagan/Druid origin, long before those French Celts arrived from over the briny. The early Christians just pinched them to get the rabble to join in.

[KevinM67]

Blasphemy from a Mod - you've gotta love it. .

[burnie]

I am of Viking decent so what did ya expect........................................subtle lol?

[burnie]

Why has that gap appeared in the word subtle?

[KevinM67]

So we've went from one Mod with a pointy stick to one with a pointy helmet.

[veggiechicken]

I am of Viking decent so what did ya expect........................................subtle lol?

Why has that gap appeared in the word subtle?

Its a Viking word for "confused"

So we've went from one Mod with a pointy stick to one with a pointy helmet.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Guy Fawkes the only man to enter the Houses of Parliament with.........................honest intent.....

[Snadger]

.................at least I managed to get rid of my old three piece suite without the copper chopper buzzing me!