William Harrison Ainsworth
Guy Fawkes or The gunpowder Treason An Historical RomanceThe Modern Man Pursues Drama and Bravery

Guy Fawkes Interrogated by King James the First

"Salisbury then waved his hand.  The door was thrown open, and an officer entered the room, followed by Guy Fawkes, who marched between two halberdiers.  When within a couple of yards of the King, the officer halted, and withdrew a little on the right, so as to allow full view of the prisoner, while he extended his sword between him and the King.  Nothing could be more undaunted than the looks and demeanor of Fawkes.  He strode firmly into the room, and without making any reverence, folded his arms upon his breast, and looked sternly at James.  A bold villain! cried the King, as he regarded him with curiosity not unmixed with alarm.  Who, and what are you, traitor? A conspirator, replied Fawkes.  That I know, rejoined James, sharply.  But how are you called?  John Johnson, answered Fawkes.  I am servant to Mr. Thomas Percy.  That is false cried Salisbury. Take heed that you speak the truth, traitor, or the rack shall force it from you.  The rack will force nothing from me, replied Fawkes, sternly; neither will I answer any question asked by your lordship  Leave him to me, Salisbury,--leave him to me, interposed James.  And it was your hellish design to blow us all up with gunpowder? he demanded.  It was, replied Fawkes.  and how could you resolve to destroy so many persons, none of whom have injured you? pursued James.  Dangerous diseases require desperate remedies, replied Fawkes. Milder means have been tried, but without effect.  It was God's pleasure that this scheme, which was for the benefit of his holy religion, should not prosper, and therefore I do not repine at the result. And are you so blinded as to suppose that Heaven can approve the actions of him who raises his hand against the King--against the Lord's anointed? cried James. he is no king who is excommunicated by the apostolic see, replied Fawkes.  This to our face! cried James, angrily.  Have you no remorse -no compunction for what you have done? My sole regret is that I have failed, replied Fawkes.  You will not speak thus confidently on the rack, said James.  Try me, replied Fawkes..."-p.260

The engravings, on steel, by George Cruikshank for Ainsworth's novel illustrate the style of the modern image of the plot quite well. Select your favorite scene from the table below.

Fawkes in Ordsall Cave Guy Fawkes Discovers Dr. Dee and Edward Kelley Disinterring the Body of Elizabeth Orton Dr. Dee in Conjunction with his Seer Edward Kelley exhibiting the Magical Skull to Guy Fawkes Guy Fawkes and Humphrey Chetham Rescuing Father Oldcorne and Viviana Radcliffe from the Pursuivant
Vision of Guy Fawkes at St. Winifred's well Guy Fawkes Preventing Sir William Radcliffe from Joining the conspiracy Dr. Dee Resuscitating Guy Fawkes Guy Fawkes protecting Humphrey Chetham from Catesby
Viviana Radcliffe Imploring Guy Fawkes to abandon the Conspiracy Guy Fawkes and Catesby Loading the Powder Guy Fawkes and the other conspirators alarmed while digging the Mine Guy Fawkes laying the train
 
Guy Fawkes keeping watch upon Tresham and Lord Monteagle Vivianna examined by the Earl of Salisbury and the Privy Council in the Star Chamber Guy Fawkes arrested by Sir Thomas Kinevet and Topcliffe Guy Fawkes interrogated by KingJames the First
Guy Fawkes subscribing his examination after the torture The explosion at Holbeach The Death of Catesby The Discovery of Garnet and Oldcorne at Hendlip
Death of Viviana Execution of Guy Fawkes Title Page  

Index of Individual 
Images
 
Images,Maps and  Studies to  
re-create the Plot 
Images of Celebration 
Guys 
and Bonfires
The Main Page 
 
Portraits  Religious Objects
Contemporary Images  
1605-1690
Early  
Images-  
1690-1790
Late  
Images  
1800-on
Structures To the
Gunpowder 
Plot Pages
To Hutman Productions

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