What Gunpowder Plot Was

"What Gunpowder Plot Was" by Samuel Rawson Gardiner is a historical exploration of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, offering a counter-narrative by questioning traditional understandings of the event. The book investigates the reasons behind the conspiracy to destroy the British Parliament, engaging with different historical evidence and interpretations, especially concerning Father Gerard's assertions of government manipulation by the Earl of Salisbury. Gardiner casts doubt on the reliability of sources, advocating for a detailed review of historical documents to uncover the truth behind this major event in British history and its consequences for Catholics who suffered penalties following the failed plot.