Waverley is a novel by Sir 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.

Plot

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).

External links

• Online Edition at eBooks@Adelaide (http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/s/scott_walter/waverley/)
• Free eBook of Waverley (http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/5998) at Project Gutenberg

Reference / see also

Waverley, Sir Walter Scott, Penguin Popular Classics ISBN 0-14-062148-2 Doune castle