'Guy Fawkes or The Gunpowder Treason ' 1841 novel

                        William Harrison Ainsworth  (1805-1882) 



William Harrison Ainsworth  by Daniel Maclise ( died 1870) donated to the National Portrait Gallery in 1949 : In public domain, courtesy of Wikipedia. 

William Harrison Ainsworth  1805-1882 was the son of a Manchester solicitor and moved to London in 1824 to study law. As well as being a poet , magazine editor and journalist,  Ainsworth belonged to a crop of Victorian novelists who were widely read during during the middle of the 19th century but fell from favour, being  largely neglected by the end of his life. 'Guy Fawkes or The Gunpowder Treason -An Historical Romance'  appeared by installments, included in 'Bentley's Miscellania'  magazine from January 1840- November 1841

The historical novel was quite a new genre , arguably starting with Sir Walter's Scott's  'Waverley' from 1814. Ainsworth contributed  a whole series of novels . including  the successful 'Rookwood' which highlighted Dick Turpin's legendary ride from London to York (1834), 'The Tower of London' about the life of Lady Jane Grey, (1840) and 'The Lancashire Witches (1848) . Whilst  in 1829, the Test Act was passed, which removed the restrictions that Roman Catholics faced within academia and in entering various professions, it is not surprising that a historical novel about the Gunpowder Treason would emerge. 

In the introduction, Ainsworth emphasised that in writing the novel " One doctrine I have endeavoured to enforce throughout -Toleration" . He also traced the origin of the Gunpowder Treason as a response to "The tyrannical measures adopted against the Roman Catholics in the early part of the reign of James the First." 

The novel is intriguing. The main historical  aspects of the Gunpowder Plot emerge through the point of view of the leading lady Viviana , a Roman Catholic heiress, who is a  fictional character. Viviana is prone to getting upset and expressing a death wish if she didn't get her way, but plucky in a crisis. Whilst experiencing great misfortune at the hands of  the authorities  on account of her faith, she still does everything that  she can in her power to stop the 'Plot from going ahead. In fact Viviana embodies the Catholics' opinion who were horrified at the thought of the Gunpowder Treason and the mass casualties it would have caused had it got any further.  A counter balance to the ruthless fanaticism  of  the 'Plot's leader , Robert Catesby, who is depicted as the typical narcissist, pursuing his aims at whatever cost.  

Ainsworth conceded in the novel's introduction,  that his portrayal of Guy Fawkes is of  the "gloomy and superstitious enthusiast." Historian James Sharpe, in commenting on the novel, maintained that in its pages, "Guy Fawkes becomes a brave and sympathetic character, and his cause a worthy one." I beg to differ.  In some respects Fawkes becomes a caricature in the novel. Where idealism, fanaticism and action combine - a believer who was also prone to visions of Saint Winifred-but not so far removed from Catesby's 'by any means necessary' approach.  Fawkes is shown -perhaps with good reason-  as a potential avenging angel against religious persecution, but equally capable of leading a massacre against heretics. But the novel seems a worthy attempt to understand the psychology of the 'Plotters, and perhaps this was its impact at the time of publication. 

One of the leading male characters besides the 'Plotters and Jesuit priests, is Humphrey Chetham, ( 1580-1653) . Chetham was   certainly a wealthy Protestant cloth merchant by the 1620's, later to become one of the leading citizens of Manchester of his era and a well know philanthropist.  In the novel he romantically pursues Viviana and opposes the persecution of Catholics though is also horrified by what he can suspect concerning  the Plotters intentions.  There is no evidence that Chetham had any contact with the conspirators or held any particular standing in 1605.

And there are some quite strange themes presented during the first part of the novel.  Famous psychics, astronomers, and occultists- Doctor John Dee and Edward Kelly- appear as  minor characters. Fawkes also arrives in the city at start of the tale, in the Summer of 1605. He later takes part in some necromancy ceremony with Dee and Kelly, though there is no evidence that Fawkes was ever in Manchester. In fact the idea that Fawkes would feel an affinity with Dee and Kelly is plain odd even as fictional device, which in turn adds to the novel's charm. Certainly John Dee held the wardship of the collegiate, after arriving in Manchester in 1596, but there is a doubt concerning his whereabouts around 1605.

The landscape of Lancashire is evoked as quite a haunting and dismal place with Ordshall Cave having runes carved into its ceiling, whilst a chase on horse back takes place across the treacherous Chat Moss marshland. After a more Gothic beginning, the novel becomes reconciled with the more traditional narrative of the Gunpowder Plot. 

For all the novels claims of promoting Toleration, I can quite imagine some historians of today resenting the connections forged between leading Jesuits, particularly Father Henry Garnet who blesses the 'Plotters in the novel. Though Garnet was later tried and executed in 1606 for alleged complicity in the Gunpowder Treason, his guilt is disputed by many. One of the main persecutors of the English Catholics, Richard Topcliffe, appears in many scenes during the novel, though he had in fact died at the end in December  1604. 

Overall, an interesting novel which James Sharpe has already highlighted as contributing to more popular views of the Gunpowder Treason. And offers an intriguing insight to how the 'Plot was viewed during the mid 19th century : An era where Catholic Emancipation became acceptable  and the rise of the popular historical novel made its impact . 

Sources

James Sharpe's 'Remember, Remember the Fifth of November -Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot' , Profile Books, 1605, is a great survey of how the Gunpowder Treason has been portrayed throughout history. Has a short section on Ainsworth. 


Online source material. 

There is a Gutenberg online version of the novel. Also Amazon UK has a free kindle edition that can be downloaded. 

' William Harrison Ainsworth's 'Guy Fawkes' and the Test Act'  Victorian web entry

About W.H.Ainsworth  Helpful Biographical piece by Doctor Stephen Carver. 

Ainsworth's Guy Fawkes :Tragic Hero,Catholic Martyr quite long, but very rewarding piece by Doctor Stephen Carver  from the Ainsworth and Friends website

The life of Humphrey Chetham from Chetham's Library Website

John Dee in Manchester  From the 'About Manchester' website. 


UPDATE 3rd January 2021 - Thought that would share this helpful comment about the post  from my friend Mark Foster- thank you Mark ! 

Although it is popularly believed that Dr John Dee performed a necromantic operation with Edward Kelly, the more accurate account apparently it was Edward Kelly and another cohort on this occasion. The two men took themselves off to St Leonards church Walton-le-dale Lancashire on the night of 12 August 1560 to perform a necromantic operation in order to obtain gold. There was a persistent rumour that if you stood in the grave yard you would be in sight of a hidden treasure. As it happens a Saxon hoard was uncovered in relatively recent times on the banks of a nearby river running close to the church.


Other Blogs by Michael Bully 

New blog launched 2nd February 2023  BleakChesneyWold Charles Dickens & 'dark' 19th century history 


13th Century History  ( No longer updated ) 


Hoping that all blog-readers  are as well can be expected during these challenging times. Best wishes for Christmas and for 2021. 

Michael Bully, Brighton, 17th December 2020. 

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