Waverley (novel)
Waverley is a novel by
Walter Scott. This was Scott's first venture into prose fiction, anonymously published in
1814, and is often regarded as the first historical novel. Scott's later novels were advertised as being "by the author of Waverley". His series of novels on similar themes written during the same period have become collectively known as the "Waverley novels".
In
1815 Scott was given the honour of dining with
George, Prince Regent, who wanted to meet "the author of Waverley". It is thought that at this meeting Scott persuaded George that as a Stuart prince he could claim to be a
Jacobite Highland Chieftain, a claim that would be dramatised when George became King and
visited Scotland.
The character of "Fergus Mac-Ivor" in Waverley was drawn from the flamboyant Chieftain
Alasdair Ranaldson MacDonell of Glengarry. During the King's visit, Glengarry made several dramatic unplanned intrusions on the pageantry.
The
English protagonist, Edward Waverley, has been brought up in the family home by his uncle, Sir Everard Waverley, who maintains the family
Tory and
Jacobite sympathies, while Edward's
Whig father works for the
Hanoverian government in nearby
London. Edward Waverley is given a commission in the
Hanoverian army and is posted to
Dundee, then promptly takes leave to visit Baron Bradwardine, a family friend, and meets the Baron's lovely daughter Rose.
When wild
Highlanders visit the Baron's castle Waverley is intrigued and goes to the mountain lair of
Clan Mac-Ivor, meeting the Chieftain Fergus and his sister Flora who turn out to be active Jacobites preparing for the
'45 Rising. Waverley has overstayed his leave and is accused of desertion and treason, then arrested. Highlanders rescue him from his escort and take him to the Jacobite stronghold at
Doune castle then on to
Holyrood Palace where he meets
Bonnie Prince Charlie himself. Encouraged by the beautiful Flora Mac-Ivor, Waverley goes over to the Jacobites and takes part in the
Battle of Prestonpans, where he saves the life of a colonel who turns out to be a close friend of his uncle. Thus he escapes retribution and marries the Baron's daughter, Rose Bradwardine (symbolically choosing the practical Hanoverian Rose over the romantic Jacobite Flora).
* The Clan
Mac-Ivor (or
MacIvor,
M'Ivor)
* Chieftain
Fergus Mac-Ivor*
Flora Mac-Ivor, sister of Fergus
*
Sir Everard Waverley*
Edward Waverley, protagonist
*
Baron Bradwardine*
Rose Bradwardine, daughter of the Baron
*
Bonnie Prince Charlie*
Online Edition at eBooks@Adelaide*
Free ebook of Waverley at
Project GutenbergThe
proposition Scott is the author of Waverley is one of the examples whose
meaning Bertrand Russell studied in his paper
On Denoting.
*
Doune castle
