ir Walter Scott's first novel, Waverley; or, 'Tis Sixty Years Since, published anonymously on 7 July 1814 but probably begun as early as 1805, recalls the turbulent times of the second Jacobite Rebellion (1745), led by the charismatic Prince Charles Edward Stewart, dubbed "The Young Pretender" by Hanoverian-sympathizers and "Bonnie Prince Charlie" in the Highlands, where the revolt against George II began.
In many ways, the story established the pattern that Scott would follow throughout the series: a young English protagonist of romantic inclinations (whose love of reading romances reflects young Scott's own) joins his regiment in Scotland in 1745; while on leave, he visits the estate of a family friend, the kindly Baron Bradwardine, a lovable, pedantic antiquarian of Jacobite leanings, and is attracted to his host's daughter, Rose. However, while visiting Glennaquoich, the Highland hideout of freebooter Donald Bean Lean, he falls in love with Flora, sister of a young chieftain, Fergus Mac-Ivor, a staunch adherent of the Stewarts. Arrested and cashiered for supposed disloyalty to the Hanoverian regime, Edward Waverley is rescued from prison by Rose and participates in the adventures of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his adherents. Fortunately for the politically naive youth, at the Battle of Preston-pans he rescues a Colonel Talbot, who after the debacle of Culloden in 1746 secures pardons for Waverely and the Bradwardines. Flora rejects the vaccillating Waverley in favour of convent life after her brother's execution for treason. The protagonist marries Rose instead, and assists her father in the rehabilitation of his estate.
Last modified 30 December 2001