Weekend Thought: Remember, remember the fifth of November

'˜Remember, Remember the 5th November'. This is the day on which we remember The Gunpowder Plot.
Halifax MinsterHalifax Minster
Halifax Minster

Although Guy Fawkes is the most famous of those involved, it was actually Robert Catesby, an outspoken Catholic who was the leader of the failed attempt to kill James I when he opened Parliament in 1605.

The plotters planned to set off 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar directly under the House of Lords, killing King James I and other key Protestant members of the Royal Family and Privy Council.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Guy Fawkes, due to his experience as a soldier, was placed in charge of lighting the gunpowder fuse. The plot failed because an anonymous letter was received by a Catholic who would have been in the House of Lords on 5th November warning him to stay away to guarantee his safety. The letter was passed to James I and he ordered that the buildings be thoroughly searched.

Guy Fawkes was found in the cellar under the House of Lords carrying a lantern, a pocket watch and several matches. Thirty six barrels of gunpowder were also revealed, hidden under a stack of firewood. Guy Fawkes was arrested and he finally confessed. He was sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered on 31st January 1606 but managed to avoid the agony of being quartered by jumping from the gallows and breaking his neck.

Disturbingly, we still have these echoes of terrorist activity in our world today. We should be thankful that our country today is accepting of other religions and cultures. J

esus came to bring love, peace and reconciliation. He came to unite and to give us assurance of his presence in our lives as we trust in him.

May we turn from the darkness to the light of Christ?