It Might Have Been: The Story of the Gunpowder Plot by Emily Sarah Holt is a historical novel set in 17th century England, focusing on the infamous Gunpowder Plot. The book delves into the political intrigue and religious conflict surrounding the plot to assassinate King James I and blow up the Houses of Parliament. Through a detailed exploration of the plotters, including Guy Fawkes, Holt presents a dramatic and insightful portrayal of this historical conspiracy. The novel captures the treason and tension of the time, offering readers a vivid depiction of the complexities of the Tudor era and the ramifications of the plot against the monarchy. Holt's historical fiction brings to life the dangerous and turbulent period, blending accurate historical details with engaging storytelling. It Might Have Been serves as both an educational and thrilling account of one of England’s most notorious plots and its impact on British history.
Emily Sarah Holt was an English author who lived from 1836 to 1893. She was born on April 25, 1836, in Stubbylee, Bacup, Lancashire. She was the oldest daughter of John Holt and Judith Mason of Greens, whose husband was a judge for Lancashire and the West Riding. She is said to have gone to school at Oxford. She got sick in late 1893 while she was in Harrogate and went to go live with her brother in Balham, London. She died there on Christmas Day. An obelisk marks the spot where she was buried in the Church of St. Saviour's, Bacup. Holt had written more than fifty books, most of them for kids. The BML catalogue lists 52 of Holt's books as historical stories, which is what most of her work is. Protestantism is a theme in Holt's work.
