What Gunpowder Plot Was

History of an unsuccessful plot against the British government in 1607. The author tries to separate fact from fiction. The book begins: "In 'What was the Gunpowder Plot? The Traditional Story tested by Original Evidence,' Father Gerard has set forth all the difficulties he found while sifting the accessible evidence, and has deduced from his examination a result which, though somewhat vague in itself, leaves upon his readers a very distinct impression that the celebrated conspiracy was mainly, if not altogether, a fiction devised by the Earl of Salisbury for the purpose of maintaining or strengthening his position in the government of the country under James I. " According to Wikipedia: "Samuel Rawson Gardiner (4 March 1829 - 24 February 1902) was an English historian."