THE GUNPOWDER PLOT

By Antonia Fraser

Synopsis

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 is one of the most commemorated events in English history. Yet this astonishing episode remains shrouded in mystery and the subject of passionate argument. The author untangles the intricate relationship between religion and politics in the early 17th century.

Sample Player

Narrator	Michael St. John
Length	17hrs 15mins
Catalogue No.	4656
Publisher	Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Other audiobooks by Antonia Fraser

THE CAVALIER CASE

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THE KING AND THE CATHOLICS

The story of Catholic Emancipation begins with the Anti-Catholic Gordon Riots in 1780. Fifty years later, the passing of the Emancipation Bill was hailed as a 'bloodless revolution'. Yet, had the Irish Catholics been a 'millstone' or were they the prime movers? Antonia Fraser brings colour and humour to this vivid drama, reflecting the political issues arising from religious intolerance.

LADY CAROLINE LAMB: A FREE SPIRIT

From the outset, Caroline Lamb had a rebellious nature. From childhood she grew increasingly troublesome, experimenting with sedatives like laudanum, and she had a special governess to control her. She also had a merciless wit and talent for mimicry. She spoke French and German fluently, knew Greek and Latin, and sketched impressive portraits. As the niece of Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, she was already well connected, and her courtly skills resulted in her marriage to the Hon. William Lamb (later Lord Melbourne) at the age on nineteen. For a few years they enjoyed a happy marriage, despite Lamb's siblings and mother-in-law detesting her and referring to her as 'the little beast'. In 1812 Caroline embarked on a well-publicised affair with the poet Lord Byron - he was 24, she 26. Her phrase 'mad, bad and dangerous to know' became his lasting epitaph. When he broke things off, Caroline made increasingly public attempts to reunite. Her obsession came to define much of her later life, as well as influencing her own writing - most notably the Gothic novel Glenarvon - and Byron's. Antonia Fraser's vividly compelling biography animates the life of 'a free spirit' who was far more than mad, bad and dangerous to know.

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MUST YOU GO?: MY LIFE WITH HAROLD PINTER

Celebrated playwright Harold Pinter and critically acclaimed biographer Antonia Fraser lived together from August 1975 until his death thirty-three years later on Christmas Eve 2008. This is a moving testimony of their life together, based partly on Antonia Fraser's own diaries and also her own recollections of their fascinating life together.

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Antonia Fraser's memoir describes growing up in the 1930s and 1940s but its real concern is with her growing love of history. Told with inimitable humour and style, it is an unforgettable account of one person's journey towards becoming a writer - and a historian.

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As preparations for the royal wedding advance, a secret organisation is formulating plans that will have dangerous consequences. They need a gesture that will call attention to the rights and wrongs of those who have no voice of their own. And what better way than to target the royal bride? Meanwhile, Jemima Shore is grappling with the royal wedding in her own way - as a commentator. So she happens to be on hand when things go badly wrong...