The novel was mainly aimed at the embattled Catholic minority in England, who had recently emerged from a half-illegal status (the Catholic hierarchy in England had been re-established only in 1850).
Romanul a fost destinat în special prigonitei minorități catolice din Anglia, care abia ieșise dintr-o stare de semi-ilegalitate (ierarhia catolică din Anglia a fost restabilită abia în 1850).