Guido Fawkes

Guido Fawkes has a good blog. As most people know we British celebrate the foiling of the plot by Fawkes and twelve others to blow up the Parliament with King James 1st inside.

I am now of the opinion that it was a shame the plot failed. I'm currently Reading A Brief History Of British Sea Power. The way that England gained a foothold on the seas in Tudor times (after a very slow start) under the three great Tudors; Henry's 7th, 8th and Elizabeth was majestic. The brilliance of Drake, Hawkins et al, the search for the north-west passage, the destruction of The Armada all marked the high water of British sea-faring not to be reached again until the days of Cook.

Under James 1st, the East Indies were dominated by the Dutch and English presence virtually wiped out. Even more embarrassingly the seas around Britain were dominated by North African pirates, who raided the coast of England taking slaves. Drake must have been turning in his grave! To top it all off James 1st also had the great Sir Walter Raleigh executed.

I will be avoiding any sort of celebration on 5th of November from now on!!