Sir John, the celebrated Lord Chief-Justice of the Court of King's Bench in the reign of William, was born at Thame, Oxfordshire, in 1642. His father, Sir Thomas Holt, had been sergeant-at-law, and his eldest son John followed also the profession of law. After having been entered at Oriel College, Oxford, as a gentleman commoner, he became a member of Gray's Inn in 1658. He soon displayed a decided predilection for the study of law, became an able advocate, and well versed in the constitutional law of England. He was made Recorder of London in 1685, which important office he held with ability for a year and a half, when he became unpopular at court. It had been determined to abolish the test act; but the measure was opposed by Holt, and in consequence he had to retire from the office of recorder. Subsequently, however, in 1686, he was made sergeant-at-law. The ability which he displayed in the Convention Parliament raised him so high in the estimation of the Prince of Orange, that, upon the accession of the latter to the English throne, Holt was made Lord Chief-Justice of King's Bench. Upon the removal of Somers in 1700 from the chancellorship, William was desirous that Holt should accept the Great Seal, but he declined. He died in 1709, at the age of sixty-seven.

Sir John Holt as a judge was a model of unbending integrity. He persevered in what he knew to be right, irrespective of the opposition of both houses of parliament. For twenty-two years his great acquaintance with common law, and strict sense of justice, were devoted to the preservation of the rights of his countrymen against invasion from whatever quarter. His understanding was sound, and his skill in seizing the main points of a case amid a mass of details, as well as his great clearness in stating the case, were valuable qualities in a judge. His physical as well as his moral courage was at times exhibited. He had been requested to supply a number of police to help the soldiery in quelling a riot. He assured the messenger that if any of the people were shot he would have the soldiers hanged. He went himself, and prevented bloodshed. On another occasion he had declared in favour of the Aylesbury burgesses, who had been committed to Newgate for complaining about the non-registering of their votes. The House of Commons summoned him to appear before them; but as the summons was disregarded they sent the Speaker to him. Holt peremptorily told the Speaker that unless he returned immediately to his chair he would have him sent to Newgate.

Chief-Justice Raymond has given a report of Holt's decisions. Holt's character as a judge is highly spoken of in the Tatler (No. 14), under the name of Verus. The following reports were published by him in 1708, folio, with notes:—A Report of divers cases in Picas of the Crown, adjudged and determined in the reign of King Charles II., with directions for justices of the peace and others, collected by Sir John Keyling, knight, Lord Chief-Justice of the Court of King's Bench, from the original manuscript under his hand; to which is added the Report of three modern cases—viz., Holt, a municipal and parliamentary borough of North Wales, Denbighshire, on the Dee, which is here crossed by an old bridge of ten arches. Some traces still remain of Holt Castle, which having been garrisoned for Charles I. was taken and dismantled by the parliamentary forces in 1645. Holt is governed by a mayor, two bailiffs, &c., and is a contributory borough to Wrexham. Pop. (1851) 1029.

Holy Alliance, The, a league formed by the principal sovereigns of Europe after the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo. The basis of this alliance was drawn up by Alexander of Russia (Sept. 26, 1815), and received the signatures of Francis of Austria and Frederic William of Prussia. Its name, which was dictated in accordance with the popular religious enthusiasm of the time, was fitly expressive of the vague principles of religious charity and peace on which it professed to be based. It gained strength by the accession of England and France, but thenceforward became an alliance simply for the establishment of existing dynasties in Europe, as may be seen from the declaration of November 1819, and from the results of the congresses of Troppau, Laybach, and Verona. After the secession of England and France the holy alliance became practically obsolete.

Holyhead (Welsh, Caer Gybi, i.e., fort of Gybi), a parliamentary borough, seaport, and market-town of North Wales, on an island at the western extremity of the county of Anglesea. It is connected with the main part of the county by a vast embankment, three-quarters of a mile in length, and of an average height of 16 feet, with a bridge near the centre through which the tide rushes with amazing velocity and force. The town, formerly a small fishing village, has acquired importance in consequence of its being the nearest and most convenient place of embarkation for Ireland. It is the point of termination of the great parliamentary roads from London and Chester, and of the Chester and Holyhead railway, in connection with which steam-packets leave the harbour several times a day for Kingston near Dublin. The vast amount of labour and money expended on public works connected with the harbour has materially contributed to attract and support an active and thriving population. Holyhead has been selected by government for a harbour of refuge. The works when completed will enclose an area of about 316 acres, with a depth of at least 6 fathoms water. The church, occupying the elevated site of an ancient monastery, is dedicated to St Gybi; and in the south porch is a rude figure of the patron saint, under a canopy. The churchyard is partly surrounded by a very curious and interesting Roman wall. The pier extends nearly 1000 feet, and upon it is an arch of Mona marble commemorative of the visit of George IV. in 1821. At the extremity of the pier is a lighthouse, exhibiting a white light 50 feet above sea-level. On South Stack (Stack), an isolated rock 3 miles W., is another lighthouse connected with the harbour, and of essential service in facilitating the access. The light, which is 212 feet above high-water mark, is produced by 21 lamps with powerful reflectors. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in the coasting trade and in shipbuilding. The coast is extremely wild and rugged, presenting numerous wave-worn caverns, which form the haunt of innumerable sea-birds. From the summit of Pen-Caer-Gybi, or the Mountain of Holyhead, 700 feet in height, a good view is obtained of the town and harbour. On the sides of the mountain are traces of extensive British fortifications, and at the top are remains of a circular building 10 feet in diameter, which was probably a Roman watch-tower. Market-day, Saturday. The borough is contributory to Beaumaris in returning a member to parliament. Pop. (1851) 5622.