The King's Daughters

"The King's Daughters: How Two Girls Kept the Faith" by Emily Sarah Holt is a historical novel set during the mid-16th century amidst the tumultuous reign of Queen Mary I of England. This work explores the challenges faced by Protestant believers under a Catholic monarchy, focusing on two young girls who exemplify steadfast faith against persecution. The narrative offers insight into the era's social dynamics, particularly regarding religious convictions and the repercussions of dissent. The opening of the story introduces us to the characters Alice Mount and Margaret Thurston as they visit a clothier's shop in Colchester. Their mundane errand is juxtaposed with the intense background of religious strife, as Alice carries the stigma of past persecution for her beliefs. Their conversation reveals the tensions of the time, including discussions of a recently executed mother and the delicate circumstances surrounding their lives and beliefs. As they prepare to navigate their world, the characters showcase a blend of everyday life and the pervasive fear of religious persecution, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of faith, community, and resilience against oppression. (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.