Fawkes Questions (WAS: Fawkes Essay)

[erisedstraeh2002]

No: HPFGUIDX 46649

Candlewick wrote:

> Isn't Fawkes named after Guy Fawkes - of Bonfire Night fame?
> That was in 1605, and he was a traitor against the English 
> government.  Does that symbolize the strain between what will be 
> the Order of the Pheonix and the Ministry of Magic?  

Now me:

Yes, Fawkes is named after Guy Fawkes (JKR has confirmed this 
connection in interviews).  I personally think the only connection 
between the historical figure and the HP phoenix is with respect to 
the burning - since phoenixes are reborn from the ashes of their 
former selves, and Britains burn effigies of Guy Fawkes on Bonfire 
Night.  

Candlewick again:

> How old is Fawkes the phoenix, anyway?  

Me again:

We don't know for sure how old Fawkes is.  I just speculated that 
since JKR tells us in "Fabulous Beasts" that phoenixes can live to an 
immense age since they can regenerate themselves, Fawkes could have 
been around during Gryffindor's time.

Candlewick again:

> What year/era was Hogwarts established?

Me again:

I quote Professor Binns in Ch. 9 of CoS:  "You all know, of course, 
that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago - the precise 
date is uncertain - by the four greatest witches and wizards of the 
age."

~Phyllis