French history in the English-speaking theatre of France (1494–1547). Sarah Pogson Smith wrote another play on Charlotte Corday's murder of Jean-Paul Marat (1793) during the Reign of Terror, entitled "The Female Enthusiast" (1807). Dion Boucicault wrote "Louis XI" (1855), an adaptation of a French play of the same title (1832) by Casimir Delavigne, based on events during the reign of Louis XI of France (1461–1483). Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote "Richelieu" (1839) based on the cardinal of the same name who dominated political events during the reign of Louis XIII of France (1601–1643). Harry Forrest and Paolo Giacometti wrote "Marie Antoinette"(1890), based on the life of Marie Antoinette.
In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy Dear Lads," a common practice in boys' adventure novels and with Henty's texts in particular. Like many of Henty's historical adventure novels, "In the Reign of Terror" emphasises the importance of British morals and encourages young boys to be courageous and virtuous. Henty's historical adventure novels were primarily written for children, which is reflected in his simplistic writing style and straightforward narrative. The plot, while at times complex and detailed, relies on constant forward action interspersed with brief introspections from the main character. Although many characters are violently killed in the novel, the accounts are primarily second-hand and Henty describes