The astute won't have to trouble their heads too long before realising why gunpowder is the word today. Wednesday next, November 5th, marks the 409th anniversary of an infamous episode in our nearest neighbour's history when Guy Fawkes (35) attempted and failed to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London.
What has become one of the more celebrated failures in history, was known as the Gunpowder Plot. It took place in 1605. And they say the Irish have long memories? Truly, we are not alone.
Gunpowder is believed to be one of the four great Chinese inventions, the others being the compass, paper-making, and printing. First references to gunpowder in China date from the 9th century while fireworks were invented there in the 10th century to frighten off evil spirits.
The word gunpowder is a combination of gun, and powder. (Talk of stating the bleedin' obvious! Ed). Gun, from the mid-14th century gunne, thought to be a shortening of a Middle English woman's name Gunilda.
Yes, I thought that strange too, naming a lethal weapon after a woman?! It seems to have originated with the Old Norse Gunhildr, also a woman's name, from gunnr and hildr, meaning "war, battle". Moving quickly along, to safer, possibly more feminine ground.
Powder is derived from the Old French poudre, meaning dust or ashes, and is said to be from the Latin word pulverem, itself from pulvis, meaning dust. You, me, us all. Dust to dust.
As happened to Guy Fawkes, after a gruesome execution. He was a Catholic from York in England whose intention was to assassinate the Protestant King James I and restore a Catholic monarch to the throne.
He and fellow plotters leased a room underneath the Houses of Parliament where he was left in charge of the gunpowder but was betrayed and caught on the spot. Tortured, charged, he endured an attempt at trial and was sentenced to death.
It took place on January 31st 1606. Afterwards his body was drawn and quartered following mutilations you’re better not knowing about. A similar fate met his co-conspirators. An Act of Parliament was passed designating November 5th each year a day of thanksgiving on which bonfires were lit, with fireworks, and effigies of Guy Fawkes, occasionally the Pope too, burned.
It wouldn’t happen now!
inaword@irishtimes.com
