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Guy Fawkes: Quick Facts

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News •

Could Margaret Clitherow’s execution have shaped Guy Fawkes? • Nov. 5, 2026, 2:55 AM ET (BBC)
Law behind Bonfire Night among records sent from parliament to National Archives • Nov. 3, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (The Guardian)

Facts

Born 1570 • York • England
Died January 31, 1606 (aged 36) • London • England
Role In Gunpowder Plot

Photos and Videos

Guy Fawkes; Gunpowder Plot
Guy Fawkes Day
A homemade Guy Fawkes effigy with a white painted face, gloves for hands, and dressed in old clothes sits against a wire fence in a grassy field.
V, played by Hugo Weaving in V for Vendetta, stands wearing a black cape, wide-brimmed hat, and a Guy Fawkes mask, looking toward the camera.
Engraving of the eight Gunpowder Plot conspirators standing together in hats and cloaks, each labeled with their name above: Bates, Robert Winter, Christopher Wright, John Wright, Thomas Percy, Guy Fawkes, Robert Catesby, Thomas Winter.
The true story behind Guy Fawkes Day
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Gunpowder Plot conspirators
Thomas Percy
English conspirator
The true story behind Guy Fawkes Day
Robert Catesby
English conspirator
Garnett, engraving by Jan Wierix, early 17th century
Henry Garnett
English conspirator
Sir Francis Walsingham
Sir Francis Walsingham
English statesman
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George Plantagenet, duke of Clarence
English noble
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Lucy Hay, countess of Carlisle
English conspirator
William Allen
William Allen
English cardinal
Philip Howard, 1st earl of Arundel, engraving
Philip Howard, 1st earl of Arundel
English noble
Henry Fitzalan, 12th earl of Arundel, engraving
Henry Fitzalan, 12th earl of Arundel
English noble
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Francis Throckmorton
English conspirator
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Henry Percy, 8th earl of Northumberland
English noble
Northumberland, Henry Percy, 9th earl of
Henry Percy, 9th earl of Northumberland
English noble
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Sallust
Roman historian
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Gaston, duke d’Orléans
French prince
Wang Ching-wei, 1941
Wang Ching-wei
Chinese revolutionary
François-Noël Babeuf, engraving by an unknown artist, 18th century.
François-Noël Babeuf
French journalist
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George Gordon, 1st marquess and 6th earl of Huntly
Scottish conspirator
Surratt, Mary
Mary Surratt
American businesswoman
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Gian Luigi Fieschi the Younger
Italian noble
Madame de Chevreuse, portrait by Jean Le Blond
Marie de Rohan-Montbazon, duchess de Chevreuse
French princess