Halloween and that guy, Guy Fawkes

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I thought that we didn't used to do Halloween, in England, but as explained here: Info About English Culture, in many places we did.

When I was young, the 31st October was something the church referred to as All Hallows Eve and Halloween, as celebrated now, had yet to be imported from America; exposure to American culture then being largely confined to comics and televised Tom & Jerry cartoons.

In England, childrens' attention was focused on the 5th of November and the short evenings, after school before it got dark, leading up to Bonfire Night, were spent collecting for and building the bonfire.

'Guy Fawkes Night Hambledon' - watercolour by Richard Mitchell

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Many customs surrounding relatively recent events in history recall older customs founded on ancient religions and ceremonies, and perhaps bonfires and lit effigies or guys, were merely assimilated into the commemoration of the 1605 attempt on the Stuart King's life and Parliament.

For us, the evening of the 31st October was Mischievous Night, when children old enough to play out of doors in the safety of the village streets during the darkening autumn evenings, made a Guy out of old clothes stuffed with newspapers, and hawked him round the houses, reciting "Remember, remember, the Fifth of November" and asking for a "penny for the Guy". If we were rewarded with a few coppers (pre-decimal pennies), they were collected to buy fireworks, or the special Bonfire Toffee only available in the corner shop at this time of year.

If we were unrewarded, we thought it reasonable to do a little mischief, which was innocent and merely annoying; lifting gates off their hinges and swopping them around with neighbouring gates - this only possible then when small gates led to front garden paths, in the days before every house had a car parked out front. Or we took their empty milk bottles left out on the door step for the next early morning delivery, to use for launching the rockets the big boys lit on Bonfire Night. Or just banged on the door and ran away, as you do.

Today, through the letterbox, the parish magazine reminding parishioners that: "On 5th November we call to mind the happy deliverance of King James I and the Three Estates of England from the intended Massacre by the Gunpowder". So that's all right then.

britannica.com

The Stuart King called for a sermon to be preached on the first anniversary of the 1605 attempt at treason, and the Church of England does it still, but for us heathens we have this rhyme, today culled from the website of the Yorkshire Firework Company

Remember, Remember, the Fifth of November

Gunpowder, Treason and Plot

I see no reason why Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t'was his intent,

To blow up 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

Holler boys, holler; make the bells ring,

Holler boys, holler: God Save the King.