Pity for the Guy -A biography of Guy Fawkes by John Paul Davis

                                            NEW AND IMPROVED SECOND EDITION 2025

 Pity for the Guy ( Peter Owen publishers Ltd.)  first appeared in 2010. The revised edition is now available on kindle, but a paperback edition will be available soon, The author , John Paul Davis, is a historian and a successful writer of historical thrillers. 

Although there was some interest in the Gunpowder Treason with the 1605-2005 anniversary, biographies of Guy Fawkes were in short supply for such a renowned figure. Pity for the Guy was a welcome addition to Gunpowder Treason studies, being well researched from the perspective of a historian but lively enough for the reader who knows little about the subject. This era is full of conspiracies, spies, intrigue,codes, with a large cast of historical figures. Another Guy Fawkes biography has appeared Nick Holland's The Real Guy Fawkes (2017- published by Pen & Sword Books and on kindle) which is also recommended. 

And there is the ongoing paradox of Guy Fawkes. One of the most identifiable figures in British History but mysterious. This author shows Fawkes's life and death in the entirety. It's not an easy task. Most sources about Guy Fawkes are from potentially hostile quarters. Mainly from confessions drawn from him after his capture on the night of 4th/5th November 1605 under threat of torture, and then after the actual  manacles and rack. The authorities were keen to publish The Kings Book ,their own version of events once the conspiracy was busted. And Pity for the Guy is a valiant attempt is made to show that Fawkes was far more than the familiar form with cloak, spurs and lantern. 

Fawkes was born in York in 1570. There are four properties which could possibly be his childhood home.He attended St Peters School roughly around the same time as his fellow Gunpowder Plot conspirators, John and Christopher Wright. Other contemporaries were Edward Oldcastle and Oswald Tesimond, who became Jesuits and both were associated with the Gunpowder Plot.There is some useful background added to the view of 16th century York and the rest of Yorkshire, estimating how many recusants ,particularly Catholics, who were fined for refusing to attend Anglican Church services. Fawkes became a Catholic convert around 1586, and obtained a legacy when he was 21.He then moved south and found work as a servant to Viscount Montague, a Catholic lord, at Cowdray House,Sussex. Then for some time his  whereabouts are unknown, Fawkes may have moved to Cambridge. 

In 1594 or 1595 Fawkes enrolled in Sir William Stanley's English Regiment, a band of various non-Spanish Catholic soldiers fighting for Spain. Largely against the Dutch but sometimes the French. Fawkes was present at the siege of Calais (1596), and the battle of  Nieuwpoort (1600) . The author suggests that he may have taken part in the Siege of Ostend (1601). In these years it is assumed Fawkes developed some skill with explosives and possibly in constructing tunnels, also became fluent in Spanish and French.Once again, a lot of useful background is added- this time concerning the religious wars that were prevalent in Europe.

The book concedes that it is hard to be definite about Fawkes's time with the English Regiment between Nieupoort in 1600 and his appearance at the Spanish Court in July 1603, as a representative of English Catholics. A mysterious character, Anthony Dutton, who was to work with  Fawkes ,was already present in Spain.  This author suggests that Dutton was really Christopher Wright, who was to become a fellow Gunpowder Plotter, Fawkes and Dutton advised the Spanish King Philip III that James VI of Scotland should not be supported as Elizabeth's successor, and tried to argue a case for Spanish financial and military support for a rising of English Catholics. Dutton and Fawkes appear to have written a manifesto in preparation for a Spanish invasion. The problem was that Philip III was not like his father Phillip II, and was far more inclined to make peace with England, recognising that King James was unwilling to prolong the war. (In fact  Scotland had never actually been at war with Spain). All this comes over very well in this book. 

Fawkes and Dutton left Spain in March 1604 and headed for Brussels to report back to  Sir William Stanley. A few weeks later  Fawkes met Thomas Wintour in Flanders, effectively second in command to Robert Catesby within the ranks of the Gunpowder Plotters. Thomas Wintour enticed Fawkes back to England. It is not clear if he divulged the full details of the 'Plot to Fawkes until he reached England and could be asked to take an oath of secrecy.

Pity For The Guy certainly covers the more unknown years of Fawkes very well. Then moving on to the more familiar territory of Fawkes's involvement within the Gunpowder Plot itself. The standard narrative is followed, though the author concedes that the tunnel the 'Plotters were said to have constructed in order to get near to the Houses of Parliament has never been found. 

Fawkes's final trip to Flanders and France in the Summer of 1605 is described. By then England and Spain were at peace  Whether Fawkes leaked details of the 'Plot to the English Catholics in exile is unclear. The author raises the possibility that Fawkes may have come to the attention of Robert Cecil's agents there, particularly Sir William Turner. 

The busting of the Gunpowder conspiracy and Fawkes's arrest on the night of the 4th/5th November 1605 are covered, along with the feeble rebellion that was launched in support in the West Midlands.  Would be interested at this point to know if the author thought that the authorities had prior knowledge. All agree that Fawkes managed to hold off divulging details until facing the manacles and rack on 8th November 1605. However on 7th November 1605 a government proclamation was issued naming a number of the key Plotters. 

Pity For The Guy ends with three chapter looking at the impact of the Gunpowder Treason and how its failure shaped the course of future centuries. They manage to swerve from counterfactual history and over speculating. Really worthwhile for any interested parties to read. 

What are we left with? Fawkes as well as being quite a fierce man of action, prepared to commit what could been the great terrorist outrages of English history. A former soldier who would not capitulate unless the most agonising tortures were used on him. But also far more of a conspirator, and an unsuccessful diplomat. Not just the 'Oddjob' or 'patsy' for the Gunpowder Plot masterminds such as Robert Catesby or Thomas Wintour. 

Overall the revised Pity for the Guy  is highly recommended. 

Author Information 

Author Website  Official site of John Paul Davis International Best Selling Author 

Officiallyjpd     Link Tree author website and social media 

Interview with John Paul Davis   From this blog in 2020 

Other blogposts relating to Gunpowder Treason 

This blog has covered several different aspects of the Gunpowder Treason including :

The Monteagle Letter   The latest thoughts on the most famous anonymous letter that led allegedly to the Gunpowder Plot unravelling.

Third Wintour Brother part one  Gunpowder Treason mystery, still researching 

Third Wintour Brother part two  More of the above. 

Other blogs by Michael Bully 

World War 2 Poetry  Updated on a regular basis

Bleak Chesney Wold 19th century 'dark history' Updated on an occasional basis 

A big welcome to all visitors to the blog from around the world. From now on 'A Burnt Ship' will be updated regularly, but the emphasis will be on the Gunpowder Plot and the Jacobean era rather than the 17th century as a whole. 

Michael Bully

Worthing

West Sussex

England 

20th October 2025 

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