From the Gunpowder Plot to Anonymous: How Guy Fawkes Became a Symbol of the Struggle Against Authority

From the Gunpowder Plot to Anonymous: How Guy Fawkes Became a Symbol of the Struggle Against Authority
Nov 5, 2026
November 5, 2026, marks the 421st anniversary of the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot—one of the most famous attempts at a coup d’état in British history.
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I remember my Nanny (whose family came from England) teaching me this rhyme when I was about 4 years old:

"Please to remember the fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!"

The rhyme was commemorating the 1605 Gunpowder plot in the UK.

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 and his companions
Did the scheme contrive,
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive.

Threescore barrels, laid below,
To prove old England's overthrow.
But, by God's providence, him they catch,
With a dark lantern, lighting a match!

A stick and a stake
For King James's sake!
If you won't give me one, I'll take two,
The better for me,
And the worse for you.

A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
A penn'orth of cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a jolly good fire to burn him.

Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!
Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!
Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!