Ghosts and Folklore podcast EP23: Guy Fawkes Night: The folklore, ghosts, history and traditions
It’s Guy Fawkes Night: Remember, remember, the fifth of November, Gunpowder, treason and plot!
Halloween might be a fading memory, but the autumnal festivals continue with a night of bonfires and fireworks.
On episode 23 of the Ghosts and Folklore podcast, Mark Rees (author of Ghosts of Wales/ Paranormal Wales etc.) is joined by storyteller Owen Staton to discuss Guy Fawkes Night, or Noson Guto Ffowc as it is known in Wales.
Together they explore:
• Can the ancient druids of Wales really lay claim to inventing the festivities celebrated on both Guy Fawkes Night and July the 4th?
• Why do people burn effigies, and who else was burned besides Guy Fawkes?
• Should it really be called Guy Fawkes Night, or is there a more suitable name?
• Do the ghosts of the plotters still walk their old haunts today?
All of these questions and more are explored in this Guy Fawkes special episode of the Ghosts & Folklore of Wales with Mark Rees podcast!
The Bonfire Night verse for Guy Fawkes Night
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, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d (or by God’s mercy*)
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
And what should we do with him? Burn him!
Did you catch last week’s episode of the Ghosts and Folklore of Wales podcast?
Did you miss last week’s episode? Catch up now: EP22 Ghosts of Wales Live – A Halloween Special: A paranormal podcast party for Nos Calan Gaeaf.
For a full list of every episode, from the Mari Lwyd to the Mabinogion, and to subscribe, visit the Ghosts of Wales podcast page.
Enjoy this podcast? Read more Wales’ curious customs in The A-Z of Curious Wales!
The A-Z of Curious Wales by Mark Rees is available from all good bookshops, and online from the books page.
Published by The History Press, here’s the blurb:
Wales’ history is packed with peculiar customs and curious characters. Here you will discover alien landscapes, ancient druids and a Victorian ghost hunter.
Find out why revellers would carry a decorated horse’s skull on a pole door to door at Christmastime, how an eccentric inventor hoped to defeat Hitler with his futuristic ray gun, and why a cursed wall is protected by a global corporation for fear it might destroy a town.
From the folklore surrounding the red dragon on the flag, to the evolution of the song ‘Sosban Fach’, this compendium of weird and wonderful facts will surprise and delight even the most knowledgeable resident or visitor.