Guy Fawkes, born in York in 1570, is one of the key figures in British
history, taking a central role in a plot that would have destroyed the
ruling class and changed the nation forever. Today protesters wear his
mask, families burn his effigy, and he is an instantly recognizable name
and face. But just who was the real Guy Fawkes? In this new book, we
take an exciting look at the flesh and blood person behind the myth. We
find out what radicalized the man who was born a Protestant, and yet
planned mass murder for the Catholic cause. The book takes a fresh look
at Guy's early life in York and beyond, and examines how that led to him
becoming a Catholic mercenary and a key member of the 1605 Gunpowder
treason.
This fresh new biography of Guy's life removes the layers of complexity
that can cloud the British history of this time: an era when fearful
Catholics hid in tiny priest holes, government spies were everywhere,
and even your closest friends could send you to be hung, drawn and
quartered. Guy and his conspirators were prepared to risk everything and
endanger everyone, but were they fanatics, freedom fighters, or fools?
This explosive read, accompanied with beautiful illustrations, is
accessible and engaging, combining contemporary accounts with modern
analysis to reveal new motivations behind Guy's actions.
