1605年11月5日，包括盖伊•福克斯在内的一群极端的英国天主教徒企图炸死国王詹姆士一世，在英国实现天主教复兴。阴谋失败后，盖伊•福克斯与其他十二位阴谋参与者一起，被以叛国罪处死。不过盖伊•福克斯和这场失败的阴谋并没有被英国人忘记。19世纪，盖伊•福克斯的形象经历了“再创造”，逐渐变得受人同情甚至令人钦佩，并成为火药阴谋纪念活动的中心人物。这样的转变与19世纪英国宗教、政治和社会文化状况密切相关。19世纪英国宗教上对天主教的宽容和政治上要求改革的呼声，为重新评价盖伊•福克斯提供了可能，维多利亚时代历史小说和历史著作的流行使得普通英国人可以从不同角度了解历史人物。通过盖伊•福克斯的形象在19世纪英国发生的转变，可以看出历史事件和历史人物的含义如何随着政治与社会的变化而改变。

Guy Fawkes was one of the important participants in the Gunpowder Plot. On 5th of November 1605, a group of extremist British Catholics attempted to use the gunpowder to blow up the Parliament, kill King James I and achieve the Catholic revival in England. After the failure of the plot, Guy Fawkes, together with other plotters who took part in this conspiracy, was executed for treason. Guy Fawkes and this unsuccessful plot had not been forgotten by the British. During the 19th century, the image of Guy Fawkes experienced a process of "reinvented", changing from a traitor to a believer who was sympathized and admired by the public, and became the central figure in the public commemoration of the Fifth of November. This changing was closely related to the 19th century religious, political and cultural situations in England. Both emancipation of Catholic and requirements for political reforms provided a room for new interpretations for Guy Fawkes. The popularity of historical novels and serious historical works enabled Victorian readers to learn about historical figures from different angles. From the changing image of Guy Fawkes in the 19th century England, we could see how the meaning of historical events and historical figures altered with political and social situations.