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

Viviana Radcliffe Imploring Guy Fawkes to abandon the Conspiracy

"It may be so, replied Vivianna; but I deny that the oath either he or you have taken is binding.  The deed you have sworn to do is evil, and no vow, however solemnly pronounced, can compel you to commit crime.  Avoid this sin-avoid further connexion with those who would work your undoing, and do not stain your soul with guilt from which it will never be cleansed. You seek in vain to move me, replied Guy Fawkes, firmly.  My purpose is unalterable.  The tempest that clears away the pestilence destroys many innocent lives, but it is not the less wholesome on that account. Our unhappy land is choked with the pestilence of heresy, and must be freed from it, cost what it will, and suffer who may.  The wrongs of the English Catholics imperatively demand redress; and, since it is denied us, we must take it.  Oppression can go no farther; nor endurance hold out longer. If this blow be not struck we shall have no longer a religion. And how comes it, Vivianna, that you a zealous Catholic, whose father perished by these very oppressors, and who are yourself in danger from them, can seek to turn me from my purpose.? Because I know it is wrongful, she replied.....-p.141

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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