After meeting during their travels, William Lovel, a young man, and Oldbuck, an antiquary, become good friends. Bonded over their shared interests, Lovel is very intrigued by Oldbuck's collections, particularly by the elder man's latest find, an ancient book about Roman ruins. Impressed by the young man's manners and intelligence, Oldbuck invites Lovel to meet some of his influential friends, including a wealthy man named Sir Arthur Wardour. While...

Edward Waverly enjoyed a privileged upbringing, despite his family's drama. Coming of age during a political uprising, Edward's time is split between his father and his uncle, who each have opposing political views, which causes a rift in the family. His uncle is a traditional British subject that wishes to overthrow the government so that Charles Edward Stuart is restored to power, commonly known as a Jacobite. However, Edward's father is a Hanoverian,...

In "Ivanhoe", a historical novel by Sir Walter Scott, Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe is a Saxon crusader, returning home to England from the unsuccessful Third Crusade. A supporter of the Norman king Richard the Lionheart, he is disowned by his father. Featuring colorful descriptions of tournaments, outlaws, witch trials and tensions between Jews and Christians, it is also notable for its vivid and lasting depictions of historical figures such as Robin Hood,...

Nigel Olifaunt, a Scottish nobleman, travels to England to collect a debt on his late father's behalf, but is ultimately met with deception and disappointment. The Fortunes of Nigel is one man's tumultuous journey to keep what's rightfully his. Following his father's death, Nigel Olifaunt leaves his native Scotland for London, England. He plans to meet with King James VI to recoup the money his family originally lent to the crown. Despite a legitimate...

Robin Hood vivió en la segunda mitad del siglo XII bajo el reinado de Ricardo Corazón de León. La fatalidad lo hizo jefe de las últimas bandas de sajones armados que, rebeldes a la conquista normanda, vivían independientes en algunos condados de Inglaterra, fuera de la ley del vencedor, por lo que se les llamaba "outlaws" ("fuera de la ley"). Hacia el tiempo en que Ricardo Corazón de León salió de su cautividad, estos rebeldes jóvenes se...

Edgar's family and their home, Ravenswood, is well-respected and revered by the people of Scotland, until their political endorsement invites controversy. When Edgar's father is stripped of his noble title due for supporting King James VII, Lucy's father, Sir William, buys their family estate. Meant to be the rightful master of Ravenswood, Edgar is livid, and feels that his family legacy, has been usurped. Soon, dreaming of getting vengeance, Edgar...

The strengths of Walter Scott's novels are character portrayal and vivid and highly demanding language and there is both aplenty in this account from the time of the English Revolution and First Commonwealth. This is a well told and straightforward (in plot, not language!) account of the future Charles' Second's escape from his pursuers. Both Cromwell and Charles Stuart (Charles II to be )have roles in this tale, which is a vivid admixture of historical...

There is so much within this novel, set in Switzerland during the Wars of the Roses in England. Quite complicated politics. (Goodreads)

The life of a young law student, Darsie Latimer, is thrown into disarray when he is kidnapped by a man named Hugh Redgauntlet. Taken to an unfamiliar village, Darsie is reunited with his sister, and soon realizes that Redgauntlet is his uncle. Unclear of his uncle's motivations, Darsie notices the presence of many prominent members of the Jacobite movement in the community, including the face of the party, Prince Charles Edward Stewart. Meanwhile,...

Robert Dudley, the first Earl of Leicester, is happy with his wife, Amy Robsart, but will not let her tell anyone that they are married. Even though they both love each other, Robert values power and popularity much more than he values his wife. After secluding Amy in a house called Cumnor Hall with the help of his henchman, Varney, Robert entertains the idea of marrying Queen Elizabeth I. Fueled by desire for the power of the throne, Robert hides...