Synopses & Reviews
Set in 1679 during the Scottish populist rebellion known as the Covenanter uprising, Old Mortality is one of the outstanding historical fictions of the nineteenth century. Henry Morton of Milnewood is compelled to take up arms against the royalists, who are led by Claverhouse, a true villain in Scottish history who is, nonetheless, one of Scott's most complex characters. A moderate Covenanter, Horton whose loyalties are divided by his love for Edith, the beautiful granddaughter of Lady Margaret Bellenden is one of the "people's heroes" who challenge King Charles II and change the course of Scottish history. Old Mortality is Scott's undisputed masterpiece and distills the humor, grit, and romance of the west of Scotland, past and present.