Earl Hubert's Daughter The Polishing of the Pearl - A Tale of the 13th Century

"Earl Hubert's Daughter" by Emily Sarah Holt is a historical novel written in the early years of the thirteenth century. The narrative centers around the lives of upper-class females in a court setting, particularly focusing on Princess Margaret of Scotland and her relationships with her family members and peers. As the story unfolds, a Jewish pedlar named Abraham introduces his daughter, Belasez, which leads to a deeper exploration of identity, culture, and faith amidst a backdrop of political intrigue and historical conflicts. At the start of the novel, the reader is introduced to Princess Margaret, who is celebrating her thirteenth birthday at a castle where her mother, the Countess, and her aunt, Dame Marjory, are present. The princess displays a lively curiosity and a warm disposition, establishing her character as one who seeks love and friendship. Meanwhile, the arrival of the Jewish pedlar, Abraham, brings new energy to the court, as he discusses arrangements for his daughter to create a special scarf for the Countess. The opening chapters delve into various themes, including the tension between Jewish and Christian communities, as illustrated through Margaret's inquiries and Belasez's responses. This sets the stage for a rich exploration of personal and cultural complexities in a turbulent historical period. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Emily Sarah Holt (1836–1893) was an English novelist. She was born at Stubbylee, Bacup, in Lancashire, 25 April 1836. She was the eldest daughter of John Holt whose wife Judith was the 3rd daughter of James Mason of Greens. It is said she was educated at Oxford. In late 1893 when at Harrogate, she became ill and went to her brother in Balham (London), where she died on Christmas Day.