Hunted and Harried: A Tale of the Scottish Covenanters

by R.M. Ballantyne

In the second half of the seventeenth century, the Scottish Kirk was in direct conflict with the King of England. By 1666, the king s soldiers were given lists of the names of the Scottish Covenanters by the curates, who then hunted them down and persecuted them. This is the story of Will Wallace, a young man in the service of the King who is tasked with searching for Andrew Black, a defiant Protestant. But Will soon joins Black as a follower of Christ and becomes one of the hunted and harried himself. This is an inspiring story,telling both the hard truth of those who perished for the cause of Christ and Christian liberty, and the triumph of Christ s love and strength to the faithful saints who persevere in His name. ''It is a marvelous record of the power of God.''

Genres: Historical Fiction, Classics, Fiction, Scotland, Christian Fiction, Adventure, Childrens

249 pages, Hardcover

Published May 27, 2007

About the author

R. M. Ballantyne was a Scottish writer of juvenile fiction.

Born Robert Michael Ballantyne in Edinburgh, he was part of a famous family of printers and publishers. At the age of 16 he went to Canada and where he served for six years with the Hudson's Bay Company. He returned to Scotland in 1847, and published his first book the following year, Hudson's Bay: or Life in the Wilds of North America. For some time he was employed by Messrs Constable, the publishers, but in 1856 he gave up business for literature, and began the series of adventure stories for the young with which his name is popularly associated.

Reviews

[Bettie]

slurped from to read online home.

On a brilliant summer morning in the last quarter of the seventeenth century a small troop of horsemen crossed the ford of the river Cairn, in Dumfriesshire, not far from the spot where stands the little church of Irongray, and, gaining the road on the western bank of the stream, wended their way towards the moors and uplands which lie in the neighbourhood of Skeoch Hill.

[Joseph Burk · Rating 5 out of 5]

x

[99Kylies · Rating 2 out of 5]

Markedly better than his books set in the islands, as it lacks the racism. There are parts that are legitimately good. But not enough that I'd consider reading it again.

It has raw lines like 'There are people who would whitewash the devil if he were only to present himself with a dashing person and a handsome face!", but frequently yeets its characters to the side and tells pages of history lessons instead of attending to the story at hand. Ballantyne *was* as interested in telling lessons as he was in telling a story and for the right audience, I'm sure it's fine, but for me... *Shrugs.*

Also does that annoying thing where they're like 'ahaha we can't tell you about our characters lives after the story BUT ;) these people of the same name supposedly settled down in-' like no, dude, drop the pretense and give me the ending.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read.

It’s and interesting read on the view of the killing times from the perspective of the Covenantors. Gives a narrative to a look at the history.

[Levi W. A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give it a 7 out of 10 🌟.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a difficult time rating this, as it's set at the time of the Covenanter's in Scotland and there was quite a bit of martyrdom going on at this time (1600's). :( I just set it in the middle as I'm not likely to read this again (maybe once more in my lifetime perhaps) but I did enjoy the historical accounts and the great efforts made by the author to be accurate, so it was not bad - these were *real* events in our Christian history, and so sometimes it's important to remember them. :) It's just not a "pick it up - read in a day - absolutely loved it" kind of book. But on the whole is was so very well done that it probably deserves a 5-star rating.

Pros: Again, this was another excellent book of Ballentyne's and his historical accounts are just amazing! I read Douglas bond's covenant and Crown book series the last couple of months, and I found Ballentyne's writings to be much more informative of the times with some fiction (Douglas Bond shared more of the "feelings" of the times). Both are good in their own way but this book was more helpful if you wanted to know what was going on historically during this time. :)

Cons: The author had to be rather blunt at times as to the acts of torture and methods of killing. Even more so than in the Douglas bond Covenant series...so for me it was very difficult to read those parts (I admit I began to skim through a couple scenes near the end of the book - they were too much for me). So, even though historically accurate, I do not recommend this to everyone. Especially not young children at all. :(

"It would require a volume to record even a bare outline of the deeds of darkness that were perpetrated at this time." (p.197)

"Between 1661...and 1668...there were murdered for the cause of Christ and Christian liberty about 18,000 noble men and women..." (p.249)

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young Will Wallace (not to be confused with the Scottish hero William Wallace) is first seen as the book opens as a dragoon under the command of Claverhouse. Appalled by the atrocities he has seen, he feels very uncomfortable with their mission to find and persecute the Covenanters. Will, however, considers that this wanton cruelty is done by the wish of evil men, and that surely the commanders would also be horrified. He is soon enlightened. On a mission to locate one of the Covenanting preachers, he attacks his companion when the man attempts to insult one of the Christian girls they meet. After realizing the way his commanders would view this act, Will deserts the king’s employ.

While Will is considering his next course of action, as an unemployed and soon-to-be wanted man, he captured as a spy by the very man he had been hunting. His defense of the man’s daughter is soon made known, and he joins the Covenanters.

Over the next few years, we live alongside Will, as he believes in Christ, attends meetings, aids in the escape of others, and witnesses the martyrdom of his friends. We are given a picture of the Covenanters’ lives, perpetually hunted from place to place, not knowing whom to trust, and seeing their dear ones killed. For what? For the lordship of Christ. For declaring that He alone, and not the king, is the head of the church.

This is learning history the easy way, through an engaging story. We are drawn in the very lives of these people who suffered so long ago. This book makes a great story by itself, but for studying Scotland and the Covenanters, it should be on every educator’s history shelf.

[Petra W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking place in the time of the Scottish Martyrs, this book is both thrilling, appalling, and firm in Christian Doctrine. "Hunted and Harried" paints a graphic picture of the torture and faith the Scottish people endured. I love the fact that it had "REAL" men in it.. An excellent example set for young boys. Even as a girl, it was very inspiring. In this book, Ballantyne, not only gives you an account of actual historical events, but also challenges you ask yourself the questions: "Would you stand up for Christ under terrible torture and pain?" Would you die for your fellow Christians, or would you betray their names?" Only through the strength in Christ would we be able to stand! Thank you Lord for your mercy!

The best Ballantyne book I have read yet! A must read!

[Henry]

Hunted and Harried - R.M. Ballantyne - Historical fiction about a group of persecuted Scottish covenanters. This one is hard to review. Mr. Ballantyne was a famous Christian writer in the 19th century, and himself a very ardent Presbyterian. As I understood it he basically wrote for young men. I was looking for something to eventually read with my son. But there is so much persecution here that I 19m not sure this would really be suitable for a child until they were 12 or so. But I don 19t suggest the book wasn 19t good - it was very inspiring Christian fiction about a group of people who gladly gave up their lives rather than accept any head of their faith other than Christ Jesus. I 19m just not sure it 19s really right for a young child.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I have read about this time period before, Hunted and Harried taught me a lot and now I understand the whys and wherefores of that struggle. Despite Will Wallace being the main character, the book frequently shows things from the perspective of other characters (many of whom are historical) and it is those who died for their faith who are the heroes of the tale. The Covenanters' faith in God under overwhelming trials is amazing to read about so I really appreciate this book.

[Suzannah Rowntree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up expecting a fun Boys' Own style adventure story set around the Covenanters, but found myself gripped, appalled, and horrified by Ballantyne's passionately and unashamedly partisan depiction of the awful persecutions endured by these people. Read the full review at my blog, In Which I Read Vintage Novels

[Rebecca L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good and exciting as well as being packed full of historical information. I would not have wanted to live through the times those people did! Good book, four stars for being good and R.M. Ballantyne (How can you go wrong?).

[Wesley Glaze · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was kind of hard to follow the story I kind of got lost in some parts because of all the other information he put in. It was a good book for info.

[Jacqueholst · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale from a sad time

We can learn much reading of the courage and the suffering of our ancestors. The men and women whose blood runs in our veins.