Guy Fawkes: Unabridged edition

by William H. Ainsworth

Overview

Guy Fawkes first appeared as a serial in Bentley's Miscellany, between January and November 1840. It was subsequently published as a three-volume set in July 1841, with illustrations by George Cruikshank. The first of William Harrison Ainsworth's seven "Lancashire novels", the story is based on the famous Gunpowder Plot of 1605, an unsuccessful attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Ainsworth relied heavily on historical documents describing the trial and execution of the conspirators, of whom Fawkes was one, but he also embellished the known facts. He invented the character of Viviana Radcliffe, daughter of the prominent Radcliffe family of Ordsall Hall - who becomes Fawkes's wife - and introduced supernatural elements into the story, such as the ability of the alchemist, John Dee, to raise the spirits of the dead. Guy Fawkes, along with The Tower of London, began Ainsworth's 40-year career in historical romances. It was a very popular work and the initial printed stock sold out in less than a week. The novel offers a great read for anyone interested in British history.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781518666308
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	10/17/2015
Pages:	354
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.79(d)

About the Author

William Harrison Ainsworth (1805-1882) was an English historical novelist born in Manchester.
His first success as a writer came with Rookwood in 1834, which features Dick Turpin as its leading character. A stream of 39 novels followed. The Lancashire Witches, 1848, Mervyn Clitheroe, 1857, and The Leaguer of Lathom. Jack Sheppard, Guy Fawkes, 1841, Old St Paul's, 1841, Windsor Castle, 1843 are regarded as his most successful novels. He was very popular in his lifetime and his novels sold in large numbers. Windsor Castle focusing on Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn sold a staggering 30.000 copies in the first month after it was published.