Peveril of the Peak

by Walter Scott

'Here is a plot without a drop of blood; and all the elements of a romance, without its conclusion', comments the King towards the end of Scott's longest, and arguably most intriguing, novel. Set against the backdrop of the Popish Plot to overturn Charles II, Peveril of the Peak explores the on-going tensions between Cavalier and Puritan loyalties during the fraught years of Restoration England. Ranging from Derbyshire to the Isle of Man and culminating in London it is a novel which interweaves political intrigue, personal responsibilities and the ways in which the forces of history are played out in the struggles of individual human lives. But its true subject is perhaps the role of narration and the limits of storytelling itself. In this, the first scholarly edition of Peveril, Alison Lumsden recovers a lost novel.

Genres: Classics, Historical Fiction, Fiction, British Literature, Scotland, Novels, Literature

Leather Bound

First published January 23, 1822

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Sir Walter Scott was a Scottish novelist, poet, historian, and biographer, widely recognized as the founder and master of the historical novel. His most celebrated works, including Waverley, Rob Roy, and Ivanhoe, helped shape not only the genre of historical fiction but also modern perceptions of Scottish culture and identity.

Born in Edinburgh in 1771, Scott was the son of a solicitor and a mother with a strong interest in literature and history. At the age of two, he contracted polio, which left him with a permanent limp. He spent much of his childhood in the Scottish Borders, where he developed a deep fascination with the region's folklore, ballads, and history. He studied at Edinburgh High School and later at the University of Edinburgh, qualifying as a lawyer in 1792. Though he worked in law for some time, his literary ambitions soon took precedence.

Scott began his literary career with translations and collections of traditional ballads, notably in his Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. He gained early fame with narrative poems such as The Lay of the Last Minstrel and The Lady of the Lake. As the popularity of poetic storytelling declined, especially with the rise of Lord Byron, Scott turned to prose. His first novel, Waverley, published anonymously in 1814, was set during the Jacobite rising of 1745 and is considered the first true historical novel. The success of Waverley led to a long series of novels, known collectively as the Waverley Novels, which blended historical events with compelling fictional narratives.

Over the following years, Scott produced a remarkable number of novels, including Old Mortality, The Heart of Midlothian, and The Bride of Lammermoor, each contributing to the romantic image of Scotland that became popular throughout Europe. With Ivanhoe, published in 1819, he turned his attention to medieval England, broadening his appeal and confirming his status as a major literary figure. His works were not only popular in his own time but also laid the groundwork for historical fiction as a respected literary form.

Scott married Charlotte Genevieve Charpentier in 1797, and they had five children. In 1820, he was granted a baronetcy and became Sir Walter Scott. He built a grand home, Abbotsford House, near Melrose, which reflected his passion for history and the Scottish past. However, in 1825, financial disaster struck when his publishers went bankrupt. Rather than declare bankruptcy himself, Scott chose to work tirelessly to pay off the debts through his writing. He continued to produce novels and non-fiction works at a staggering pace despite declining health.

Walter Scott died in 1832, leaving behind a literary legacy that influenced generations of writers and readers. His works remain widely read and studied, and he is credited with helping to revive interest in Scottish history and culture. Abbotsford House, now a museum, stands as a monument to his life and achievements.

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started Peveril of the Peak I had no idea what it was about, which turned out to be fine because the first chapter or so pretty much lays it all out. There are, in fact, two Peverils of the Peak, a father and a son, and the story gives some attention to both of them, though it ends up being mainly about the son. The Peverils are the nobles of the area, supporters of the king during the English Civil War and therefore utterly reduced to desolation during the rule of Cromwell. Fortunately for them, they had a good neighbour, Bridgenorth, who was of the Roundhead party who pulled enough strings for them to live unmolested on their family’s old estate. Bridgenorth’s wife then died in childbirth and he, unable to cope with the newborn in addition to the loss of his wife, let the Peverils take temporary charge of his baby daughter temporarily for Lady Peveril to raise with her young son. (So far, without any additional details of the plot, it was pretty much obvious that the infants would end up falling in love later, which *spoiler* is exactly what happens.) So the two neighbours live in relative harmony until, in the governmental scramble following Cromwell’s death, the monarchy is restored to the exiled Stewart heir, Charles II. Both sides looked with anticipation to the restoration as a return of stability and prosperity to the country long divided by war and religion, but soon the old prejudices boil back to the surface, and the Peverils and Bridgenorth are no exception.

From being the Peverils’ protector, Bridgenorth becomes the underprivileged of the two and with that change in dynamic comes resentment and offense. An execution that took place during the time of war is dredged up and Bridgenorth demands the punishment of the perpetrator, while the Peverils maintain that a wartime act is not subject to ordinary courses of justice and in fact assist the escape of the executioner in question, the Countess of Derby, and ruler of the Isle of Man. Things spiral and Bridgenorth finds sympathy for his affront with other Puritans, whisking his now-toddler daughter away from her foster parents, his former friends, and disappearing with her into the shadowy world of plots and religious fanaticism. Meanwhile, the Peverils commit their son to the service of the Countess of Derby for his education in the ways of a courtly gentleman. And so the two children grow up apart, as the Restoration gets into full swing and the aggravation of difference between two branches of Christianity result in the insidious proliferation of the Popish Plots.

As an aside, there is a mention about how Bridgenorth might follow fellow-Puritans to the New World to avoid some kind of retribution that might be imposed on them by the government or their fellow citizens. Somehow my brain never really made the conceptual, contextual connection between the Puritans of Cromwellian England and the Puritans on, say, the Mayflower. It seems obvious, but I failed to realise that the Restoration of the monarchy (which was distinctly Catholic-leaning, if not openly Catholic) after the English Civil War seemed like it would spell disaster for some Puritans and they chose to leave the country and settle in the colonies like New England to avoid persecution. Oh well, either I wasn’t paying enough attention in school, or the direct connection between the political and religious unrest in England and the exodus of the Puritans to North America was not really stressed. Anyway, I can directly connect them now, so I’ve learned something. Points for the educational power of historical fiction.

I really enjoyed how this novel explored the nuance of the culture at this time of political upheaval. There was a prevalence of public belief in a “Popish Plot” which was supposed to target Charles II. As a result, a frantic group of “Witnesses” arose, denouncing people left and right for being Catholic sympathizers and possible perpetrators of the fictitious plot. It grew to the ridiculous point that, in Peveril of the Peak, Charles II—the king who is supposedly the target of the Popish Plot—is cautious of being too friendly with known Catholic nobles, for fear of being charged with plotting against himself. Yikes. Meanwhile, the domestic terror of the ubiquitous Popish plot serves as the cover for other more political plots: plots that involve manipulating the king and making bids for his throne. And these are the plots that Bridgenorth’s grown daughter finds herself embroiled in by her smooth uncle who wins confidence by being all things to all men, while Peveril is involved in others by the Catholic Countess of Derby. The two young people are forced to navigate the increasingly dangerous political situation on polar opposite sides, while trying to find a place for their budding love for one another.

The intrigue of this story is carefully laid out with different threads, motivations, relations, and machinations. The disparate elements of the story pull together throughout, as subsequent plots are revealed, layered under the ever-present Popish plot. It really expounds the difficulty of loyalty at such a delicate time, when family loyalty goes against party loyalty, party loyalty against religious, religious against governmental, governmental against personal…and on and on it goes. But yet, each development seems reasonable, and the characters make choices and changes consistent with their personalities. Even the increasingly radical Bridgenorth does not devolve into a caricature, and every distinct personality is given some compassionate understanding, if not by the other characters, then by the narration. With the possible exception of the all-things-to-all-men uncle, who is quite the consummate villain.

I loved the characters, the plot (the story plot, I mean), and the sometimes too-real novelizations of prejudice, factions, and politics, as well as the flawed people who carry it all on. I’m finding it hard to give more detailed outlines of things because this book is so complex. I just recommend reading it if you like intrigue, politics, historical fiction, a varied cast, or the writing of Sir Walter Scott in general.

[Esdaile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am full of admiration for Walter Scott's energy and enthusiasm. This story is set in the period of the Restauration. The writer portrays the intrigue, conflict and resentment in the aftermath of a religious civil war. It reads easily and well although the language is extremely rich and I suspect archaic in parts even at the time it was written, let alone today. I liked it more than "Red Gauntlet", the other Scott novel which I have read, because I felt that the charcters were more complex and in that sense more realistic, well not all the characters, but certainly Master Bridgenorth, the religious zealotm with very much a human heart, is multi-dimensional. I have the same reservation with Soctt however, as I have with Joseph Conrad, so that I nearly awarded this book only three stars and my reservation, which I find difficult to express is that the although the author seems to be revealing very much about his charcaters and even his art, the reader (or this reader at least!) is left with the strong feeling that the author is concealing more than he reveals, both about his own sentiments and about the motivations of his characters. His characters seem to have no history not directly bearing on the story to hand. This is I suppose the "dramatic" quality of Conrad and Scott, which many people admire. However, I feel that the psychology is thrust on the reader and not explained. I wonder if anyone feels the same way about Scott or Conrad? Or not at all? I should be interested in comments on this.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Walter, Walter, why didn't you slow down a bit? There is such a good story in here if one can penetrate the verbal diarrhoea which afflicted him in all his novels, this one more than most - but at least it's not in dialect.
As with 'The Fortunes of Nigel', this novel comes to life once the Monarch is introduced. The portrait of Charles II is totally believable, and rather likeable, as is Bad Lord Buckingham....but it shouldn't have needed 300 pages to get to the decent part of the story!

[Jay C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to 3.5 stars. I enjoyed parts of it due to my affinity for the Isle of Man, but all the Popish Plot intrigue and machinations got a little tiresome by the end of the book. Loved the character, Fenella, and the “romance” of the young Peveril and Alice Bridgenorth too. What SWS Scott novel should I read next?

[Carl Waluconis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Walter Scott's longest novel. It is set during the English Civil War as the Roundheads (who became the USA's Pilgrims) fought the flamboyant royalty. Somewhat like the current near civil war in America, you can tell the sides by how they dress - Roundheads somber and staunch (you know the Pilgrim look) and the Royalists all ruffled and cavaliered out. The feeling of the political struggle seeping into every aspect of life is another similarity of that time to now. When the Roundheads are punished, they are sent off to America. That being said, I still feel somewhat like a being out of time because I enjoy reading Scott so much. The sound of English at the time he wrote captivates me, and to top that he could write accurately (we are told be people who lived then) in quite a few different dialects. If you take a little time to jog into the rhythm, the prose will pick up for you. However, the title seems today seems at least a little silly even to me. I always pictured some Percy-like character. In fact Peveril of the Peak is a rough swordsman always willing to draw his weapon. As in many of Scott's novels, the characters are richly diverse. For instance, a key character in this novel is a woman from the mid-east (called Asian then) who appears as two different women, one who cannot speak, but who is a tremendous dancer and agile enough to perform superhero gymnastics up-and-down the walls of old castles. As with other more well-drawn women in Scott's novels, she is also a spy. Unfortunately, in the Wikipedia summary of the novel she is called a dwarf, which she is not. She may be short of stature, but not a dwarf, a characteristic of another character from the book, who has the same Christian name as Peveril of the Peak. This dwarf is based on a historical person who was once baked into a pie to entertain royalty. The book has quite a few "real" people, including the fabulous Duke of Buckingham. This guy's fantastic life and personality deserves full treatment, maybe in a movie. Scott gives Buckingham wonderful lines such as, "If one must go to hell, I would it were by some new road." Walter Scott does not today seem to have too many who care much for him. In addition to the Wikipedia misinformation on the novel, I found another website purporting to have the novel, but which actually leaves out the first sections of "Peveril of the Peak". When reading Scott, I like an old copy; the one I read was from a set of 1900 Waverly novels with cool old illustrations. It also has all Scott's notes, which come to think of it I guess these days could be done in hypertext. Taken from the last line of 33 pages of Scott's at times interesting if diverting notes, the author perfectly describes the reason for reading the novel, "this work dedicated to the preservation of extraordinary occurrences, whether real or fictitious."

[Robert Hepple · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peveril of the Peak is a historical adventures novel first published in 1822. It is set in the years following the English Civil War, and deals with the clash of ideologies that was common for many years in its aftermath, and culminates in the events surrounding the Popish Plot of 1678. This makes for a rich background, and the plot reflects this by being fast moving and interesting despite being one of Scotts longest novels. The plot itself is predictable at times, not helped by Scotts habit of giving away key items in his foreword. Scotts other habit, of using lots of historic characters and events in the plot is there in force, and it works well – as does his habit of having regular footnotes embellishing descriptions. Brilliant.

[Richard Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Easy 5 stars. This is one of my favorite Scott novels, so it is strange to see that the most common score from other readers was a 3. Huh. But that's alright.

[Summary--skip ahead without worry:]

Julian Peveril, the heir of a minor title and his father's diminishing wealth, is in love with Alice Bridgenorth, a beautiful and kind young woman from a family his hasty father cannot approve. She is from a rich Puritan family, folk who just lost the upper hand when Cromwell's reign was ended; he is from a proper Protestant family that has ties to old Catholics. They were born as neighbors, and for awhile they were friendly. Bridgenorth saved the old Peveril during the time of the Puritans, and later, when politics changed and when Bridgenorth's wife and other children died, the Peverils returned the kindness by raising the baby Alice in their household. But the families were separated by events. Over on the Isle of Man, when the Puritans were cast down, Alice's uncle was killed by Julian's relative, Lady Derby, and when Bridgenorth tried to bring that woman to justice for the killing, the Peverils interfered. They were enemies from that point on. Bridgenorth took his child back and disappeared.

Fate is tricky, and those children became acquainted anyway. And then, through the course of a pretty long novel, they fight to either get their parents' permission to marry or (last resort) honor their parents' wishes by forever parting. Most of the middle concerns the so-called Popish Plot (a real event of history, though the plot itself, at the time, probably was invented just to harm certain people). This brought many very cool characters together, all with intrigues and plots, getting Julian and his family thrown in prison, exposing Alice to men who would use her beauty to their advantage with Lord Buckingham or the king himself.

Fenella, the deaf-mute servant of the Countess of Derby over on the Isle of Man, is probably the best character in the novel. Scott often creates amazing, brilliant, resourceful female characters, giving them so many memorable scenes, and this young woman numbers among the greatest of his creations. Her participation in intrigues, and her manipulation of events, all while being sympathetic and likable, even lovable, makes her one of my all-time favorite characters. Her co-conspirator, Christian, who goes by several names in the novel, is also very interesting, very compelling, though definitely not sympathetic. Well, maybe a little, at the end. But pretty evil. Lord Buckingham is rather in the same vein. Also, Julian is a good MC--an honorable young man, deeply in love, and though he is more naive at times than his opponents, raised on an island as he was, he is active and capable. He can't overcome everything thrown at him by his own power, but he keeps fighting through, gathering help where he can. I liked him.

Sir Walter Scott, as always, does a great job at differentiating his characters, giving them their own voice and their own motivations, and as a master of historical settings--especially this one, apparently, set during the Popish Plot--he creates a believable and highly affecting world for their actions.

It isn't for everyone, though. Most readers wouldn't even open this novel. I get that. And among that smallish number who did trouble themselves to read it, most of them liked it less than me. I'm surprised by that, but I might account for it a little. Obviously, it's an old novel, and his language is a bit difficult, even semi-archaic at times. At the best of times, it is quite ornate, written in a high style. That's cool, but not every modern reader will make a seamless entry into his prose. I know I didn't, originally. However, the more familiar I am with his style, the less impenetrable I find it, so I have no doubt I enjoyed this more for having read other novels by him previously. And his pacing may not be to everyone's taste. This is a pretty long book, with lots of intrigues, and though that leads to some exciting action, most of them are planned and then aborted for various reasons. But I found it entertaining throughout. Plenty of fun. IMO, anyone who can read a Dickens novel (for example) with any pleasure at all will find this a fast-paced adventure that reads like an action movie.

You know, by comparison.

And I liked the ending. So--thumbs up.

Recommended for those who enjoy and have patience for older historical novels. This is one of my new favorites.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of the book doesn't really grab one's attention, but the book itself is top shelf. Continuing in the vein of historical fiction involving the monarchs of Scotland and England, this book is set in the Restoration period of Charles II. The narrative is a page-turner, with intrigue and counter-intrigue, revolution and counter-revolution. The book is constructed as stories within stories, and plots within plots. It's amazing that the manuscript was handwritten by the author. The main plot line involves the attempt to procure a particular young girl for Charles II in an effort to gain royal favor, and a counter-attempt to save the unwilling young girl from this fate. Intertwined with this dramatic story is a plot to overthrow the king by a Puritan faction. The author creates compelling portraits of Charles II and the Duke of Buckingham, as well as a vast array of other major and minor characters. Curiously, many of Scott's books feature a dwarf or a witch to either interfere or help characters in their struggles, and this book features a dwarf (a real historical character) and a sorceress (self-proclaimed). Against the backdrop of the Restoration, a period in which the Puritans lost power to the Cavaliers, but hope to regain power by any means necessary, individual people struggle with their own problems, which then get caught up in larger struggles, spiraling out of their control. Epic themes in a story well told.

[Lisa Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun! Swashbuckling and plotting galore. Secrets and lies. Roundheads and cavaliers. Both sides mixing tue believers with scheming chancers. The obsessive and sometimes unthinking dedication to Puritanism (Bridgenorth) or King (Sir Geoffrey P) enabling their wickeder counterparts (Christian and Buckingham) to prosper.

We are shown that the fabricated Popish Plot taken as unquestionable truth resulted in dark deeds and in contrast presented a real plot which is disbelieved or hushed up as a joke gone astray.

However, our true lovers (including the unrequited) hold fast and do the right thing as they are swept along by deceptions and danger on all sides. So - the truth will set you free, unless you are the elder Peveril of the Peak, in which case, your wife and children will manage you beautifully so Alice and Julian may be married, peace be restored and the county (read country) be reunited. Do we take a lesson?

My third Scott and starting to warm up to him - he cannot mean it all seriously and in any case I am coming strongly out in hs favour for introducing me to the word used for the warden on Newgate prison - pinguitude. How marvellous is that!

[Curt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a favorite of Queen Victoria's husband but I chose to read it at this time because of my current focus on 17th century Scotland. Definitely one of Scott's more readable novels. Just one more of the works that demonstrates the results of a lack of religious tolerance. Is all this what Christianity is all about.
Loved the scenes involving King Charles II. Loved one more of Scott's happy endings. Loved the strength of another one of Scott's female characters.
Once more I reflect on those who have blamed Scott for the Civil War in America because he promoted chivalry and the plantation owners in the South found this inspiring. I find nothing objectionable in chivalry and if the South misused this principle, it is not the fault of Scott. Otherwise Jesus Christ would be responsible for not only the 17th century British Civil War but also the Spanish Inquisition.

[Jean Blackwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are enough characters and plot twists in this book to have made two books at least. It's mind boggling to think of Sir Walter writing all of this out by hand, and using a quill pen!

However, if you enjoy this worthy gentleman's work you won't be sorry to trudge on until the end. Not his greatest work, but not least either.

[John Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some background to 17th century history would have helped me immensely in reading this. As usual with Sir Walter's novels, you feel drawn in to a epic world of multiple characters and improbable scenarios that excite and entertain but (for me) overwhelm one with vocabulary that occasionally is hard to follow. I enjoyed it but it's not one of his best and far too long.

[Simin Yadegar · Rating 3 out of 5]

در قرن هفدهم میلادی که انگلستان درگیر جنگهای داخلی و اختلاف بین فرقه‌های مختلف مسیحیت بود دختر و پسری جوان که والدین آنها از دو فرقه مخالف بکدیگر بودند به هم دل می‌بازند. مدتی از یکدیگر دور می‌شوند و در گیر و دار دسایس سیاسی بر علیه پادشاه بار دیگر یکدیگر را ملاقات می‌کنند

[Iqra Tasmiae]

https://www.historyextra.com/period/s...

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Laura]

Read in a 4 volume edition, 04/11/23-03/12/23, logging here as well so I can get it off my to-read list without deleting it.

[Amanda Rumble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes my first Scott novel and loved the complex vocab and sentence structure which you needed to parse grammatically to understand properly is this a dying skill with lazy modern readers?
Took 147 pages to really get going but a very good evocation of Restoration England and the disfigure court of Charles Second with good portraits of Charles and the Duke of Buckingham

[Monty Milne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is far too long and the plot absurdly convoluted and improbable. Apparently even Scott got bored with it long before he finished it. No wonder he has few readers these days – this is not the kind of thing for those with short attention spans.

Nevertheless, I still enjoyed it – even if this re-reading after twenty five years made me realise it wasn’t quite as good as I remembered. Scott gives interesting insights into the Popish plot of the seventeenth century, and it is greatly to his credit that despite his own convinced Protestantism he shows us that the Plot was a cynical invention. Moral panics and fake conspiracies as a pretext for injustice and oppression are only too familiar nowadays, alas. Scott’s ability to re create the atmosphere of an age as remote from his day as his is from ours is splendid. And who could not love a novel which contains on almost every page lines as enjoyable as these:

“Bless the devil, ye crop eared knave!” said Sir Geoffrey, “For nothing less than the father of all fanatics saved your brains from being blown about like the rinsings of Beelzebub’s porridge-pot”!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott once again weaves a fun, adventurous, romantic tale. It wraps up a little quickly at the end, but other than that I really enjoyed it.

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the exotic range of oddsfish characters.

[Steve R]

The longest of the Waverley novels, this work is set in England around 1678, after the Restoration following the Civil War and the period of Cromwell's rule. Julian Peveril is the son of Sir Geoffrey Peveril, a Royalist, but he was raised in a household along with Alice Bridgenorth, the daughter of a Roundhead. It has a very intricate plot, with arrests, trials, executions, surprise revelations and - surprise - a happy ending! Good.