The Scottish Chiefs

by Jane Porter, N.C. Wyeth (Illustrator)

A romantic, suspenseful novel of Scotland's 14th-century heroes, Sir William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. First published in 1809 to spectacular success throughout Europe, this new edition captures the grandeur of the earlier edition, with Wyeth's glorious paintings reproduced from the original canvases.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Classics, Fiction, Scotland, Adventure, Literature, Medieval

504 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1809

About the author

Jane Porter, sometimes credited as "Miss Jane Porter", was an English romantic novelist of Irish descent who co-wrote many works with her sister, Anna Maria Porter. She was born in the Bailey in Durham City.

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

Jane^^Porter

Reviews

[Kemaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned about The Scottish Chiefs from the same person from whom I learned about many old-fashioned books: Louisa May Alcott, in her book A Garland for Girls. One of the stories contained therein is called Pansies, and in it some teenaged girls and Mrs Warburton, the elderly lady of the house the girls are staying at, discuss books they've read and their tastes in literature. The books mentioned in this story are all real books, and I've had the pleasure of hunting for and finding many of these enjoyable titles over the years.

One of the books Alcott mentions is The Scottish Chiefs. "Bless me!" exclaims Mrs Warburton in fond remembrance. "We cried over [William Wallace] as much as you do over your 'Heir of Clifton,' or whatever the boy's name is. You wouldn't get through it, I fancy; and as for poor, dear, prosy Richardson, his letter-writing heroines would bore you to death."

I quote this to establish that even then, this book was considered quaint and out of date. But it is truly a treasure if you can immerse yourself in the fashions of the time and enjoy it for what it is: a beautifully-written tale of adventure well seasoned with moral leaven.

One of the things that struck me as I read was how incredibly beautiful the speeches and descriptions are. I read many of them a few times over just out of sheer enjoyment, because they were so exquisitely crafted. It's like savoring fine food. My advice to anyone who reads this - let yourself get swept away in it. Don't read along with modern skeptical or sarcastic comments in your head as you go. Let yourself enjoy this as it was meant to be enjoyed.

This book is full of excitement, battles, tragedy, and heroic deeds, as any tale of William Wallace should be, and above all, it is full of emotion. Yes, the men in this story hug each other and cry as heroes today would scorn to do. Yes, the women (well, except one) seem too pious and sweet to be real, but when push comes to shove, they show gumption as well (in a ladylike manner, of course). But it works, when you remember when this book was written and the audience for whom it was intended.

I can easily see why Wallace would have been an object of adoration when this book was popular - he was handsome, always did the right thing, suffered much, remained steadfastly loyal to his country, his people, and his God, and was the epitome of what a hero should be. These are old-fashioned concepts these days - people want a hero with a dark side, and for heroines to fight alongside the heroes, not to spend their time praying all night in chapels. But if you manage to doff your modernity at the door when you enter into this world Miss Porter has created, and let yourself enjoy this story for what it is, you shouldn't be disappointed.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about the real William Wallace. A man of faith, courage, purity and honor. He was a warrior for his kingdom and the kingdom of God. This book stirred something deep inside that calls me out of complacency into battle- against all odds, and to the death; for my King. That battle is for those He loves and desires to free from all oppression from false authority; bring them together in unity and out of darkness and into the army of light. All the major battles fought by everyman are layed out and victoriously conquered by this noble and humble hero.

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in 2016 I read a book from 1907 called The Delicious Vice. Not a great book, but not completely awful either. Here is my review for it https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I mention in that review that I made a list of a few titles from TDV that I wanted to read, and the last few Gutenberg titles I've gotten through have been from that list. I'm giving up on the rest of the list (not in the mood for a play in Old English just now) but I can finally say I read The Scottish Chiefs, the book that made a very young Allison cry.

I cried too, by the way.

This book by Jane Porter tells the story of Scotland and its hero William Wallace. It was a moving, dramatic, incredible tale. I had never heard of the book or even of Wallace himself when I was in school. Mel Gibson's Braveheart was my introduction to this period of Scottish history. Porter's book explained things in much more detail and made the hero seem nearly too perfect to be real.

But he was real, and his story was real. Just have tissues handy when you read it!

[Rick Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I be honest? I'm not a big fan of the movie Braveheart. I mean, it's okay and it has all the energy of a good pep rally. But this book...this is what Braveheart should have been. This book absolutely embodies the ideas of patriotism, honor, loyalty, and faithful Christian resistance to tyranny. This is the sort of book to read to your children to give them a vision of heroic men and women to emulate, as well as base, traitorous men and women to despise.

[Jaclynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of William Wallace and his followers, of Robert the Bruce and the fight to free Scotland from England’s grasp. Full of heroes and heroines worthy of praise, full of virtue, and followers of the one true God. The devotion of Wallace to his God and country is an example well worth remembering. Especially as he dealt with the unwanted passions and deception of the Lady Mar (Joanna of Strathearn) He refused the crown many times despite the people’s insistence that it was rightfully his, instead choosing to restore Scotland its rightful king. Upon being accused as a traitor and sentenced to death, his response: “ It was a son, defending the orphans of his father from the rapine of a treacherous friend. It was the sword of restitution, gathering, on that false friend’s fields, the harvests he had ravaged from theirs.” And among his final words: “...in this moment of my last on earth, engrave on thy heart, that, in the sacred words of the patriarch of Israel, I remember thee in the kindness of thy youth; in the love of thy desolate espousals to me, when thou camest after me into the wilderness, into the land that thou didst not know, and comforted me.”

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

In her introduction to her 1810 novel The Scottish Chiefs, Jane Porter reminisces about her own childhood on the Scottish Border. She emphasizes the widespread familiarity of the denizens with stories and songs about Wallace. This concurs with Walter Scott’s comment that the Scottish populace had recent experience of medieval life, “whereas in England civilisation has been so long complete, that our ideas of our ancestors are only to be gleaned from musty records and chronicles…” Contemporary Felicia Hemans wrote enthusiastically of Porter’s story: “I am by no means an Advocate for Historical Novels as they bewilder our ideas, by confounding truth with fiction, yet this animated Authoress has painted her Hero, the Patriot William Wallace, in such glowing colours, that you cannot avoid catching a spark of her own enthusiasm…” and was even inspired by the novel to write her September 1819 prize poem for Blackwood’s, “The Meeting of Wallace and Bruce on the Banks of the Carron.”

[Relstuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. Which is one reason I was disappointed in Braveheart. The movie is a pale shadow of the story here. :)

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book about Sir William Wallace It has actually been a long time since I read it, but it's a family favorite. Growing up my dad would read to us at night- this was one our our favs. We also read Anne of Green Gables and A Mountain Europa, among others, but this was #1! SO much better than the movie- (Braveheart)!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a romantic novel. No, not the kind of novel with a lot of love, flowers, and relationships, it is written in the romantic style. Like Ivanhoe and other books of this type, it wasn't trying to be perfectly accurate, it was trying to inspire the best and most noble virtues into others using historical characters. Yes, this means goodness and evil might be exaggerated in some people. Yet, this book does it well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, which I'm rather surprised. I usually end up not liking books full of warfare. To be sure there is a lot of death, bloodshed, and talk about killing and dying. Yet, I found myself pulled into this story.
I loved the vintage way this novel was written. Much of what is presented as the most noble deeds is such a foreign idea in today's culture, especially regarding love. Yet, there is such beauty in this only story. Yes, it is a romanticized and idealized look at Wallace and many of those around him and this book should not be taken as the end-all textbook for historical events. Yet, there is so much to admire not only in the story, how it is told, and what it is trying to teach.

Content notes: This is a book about war. While somewhat sanitized (Wallace died a far more gruesome death for one) there is a lot of talk of wounds, death, and killing people in various ways. On the romantic side, very clean. There is a married woman who falls for Wallace and he will have none of it. A sweet girl falls for Wallace but always treats him chastely. As for language, there is some minor words used (in one or two places) and some blanked-out words (again, one or two times).

Narration note: I needed to read this via an audiobook for times sake, but this wasn't a very good version. Some of the narrator's butchered words like a tyrant and homage, and I don't think any of them had any idea how to pronounce the Scottish place names.

[Angelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite classics. My grandmother was a Wallace and descendant of the William Wallace's family although William had no descendants. This a romanticized version of the story of Wallace. It is a little hard to get into the language at first but you get used to it and it is a lovely book. It was banned one time from England (I believe) because of it's Scottish patriotic theme.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book- truly, I did. Where was the Scottish brogue? Och,I dinna ken. After Helen's 3rd or 4th swoon I started to speed read. I did appreciate the scene where Wallace sounds the pibrochs. It's a good book to have around the house to throw at intruders.

[Rachel {bibliopals} · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐
I read the full original version. The beginning and scattered throughout were a lot of details that I got lost in\glazed over several times.
The last 25% was faster paced and interesting.
If I have my son read, I'll probably suggest the N.C. Wyeth version as it is somewhat abridged.

[Luke · Rating 2 out of 5]

All warfare that is not defensive is criminal.

As may already be obvious, reading a work solely for the sake of fulfilling a challenge is very much a hit or miss. Certain measures of external credit or internal self-satisfaction may be won if the reading is accredited, difficult, or simply old enough to have transformed itself into a relic of academic interest simply through a deceptively passive survival throughout the ages. However, the longer a work goes on, the less that this artificial measures of esteem hold onto their legitimacy, leaving one to plod through any number of the remaining pages, sometimes hundreds, alone. Now, this work wasn't as tedious as a significant number of others that I, for an assignment or otherwise, have gotten through largely out of sheer force of stubborn will. It is, however, such a powerful force of propaganda for many of the tropes that have choked out many an aspiring piece, fiction and otherwise, over the course of more than two centuries that I can see as much of it in certain pieces of literature that have formed a part of my identity as I can in the numerous works that were artificially suppressed for the usual kyriarchical reasons. So, while certain quotes are of especial note and the history that informs this work is well worth further exploration (not to mention the illustrations of my particular copy are one of the best parts that grace it), the final star count above is the honest rating, in accordance with its textual description.

Girlfriend in the refrigerator, virgin/wh*re dichotomy, coupled with the kind of loving masculinity that briefly resurfaced in the early 2000s film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings and has been on the run ever since. Conjoin that with successive fanfiction iterations of a particular period of all too real history that was not nearly as soft or redeemable as Porter would have it be (Wallace's ultimate cause of death is but one example), and you have the typical sort of adventure story that adheres to a moral code of honor because of how much social control it affords. Medieval Scottish figures quote Shakespeare and make references to events on the other side of the globe that I suppose they possibly could have learned about in ways I have not yet learned about but come across rather oddly in the meantime. For me, the greatest worth this piece has is as a linking set that draws together the Crusades and England's imperialism that, long before it wrought the havoc that irredeemably characterized the time of this work's author, conducted its practice runs on its closest neighbors. One could even put a postcolonial twist on this work that describes events that, rightly put, would be more anti-colonial than anything else, seen as how, up to this point, Scotland had no long and brutal experiment in Anglofication behind it. What ended up actually happening after this work's conclusion is, of course, history, but for all of Porter's obsessions with WASPifying her characters (despite the amount of prayer scenes, saints rarely make an appearance, and trust me when I say that the sort of direct appeal to Christianity's monotheistic deity is a Big Deal in that religion), certain phrases she puts in her characters' mouths have surprising significance today. Whether they're worth trawling 500+ pages for is another matter entirely.

Finishing this work means I am, at last, done with every single reading challenge that I set up for myself for this year of 2020. The severe disruptions that have wracked this year greatly interfered with my usual book buying habits, and cautionary measures further lengthened the process by which I was finally able to acquire a work that fulfilled the qualities that I was seeking. Regarding the challenge that particular work was read for, while the average ratings for the works aren't the most brilliant, I discovered enough gems to make me excited enough to begin my planning for 2021's iteration of this particular reading regimen. Despite what some would have me believe, reading women takes effort, and to think that doing such will simply come 'naturally' to senses that are continually trained (the 21st c. is no exception) to belittle, bad faith, and ignore, subconsciously or otherwise, such works is the espousing of a liar and/or a fool. So, I'm glad that Porter is doing well in the general view, regardless of how she did in my own. There are enough people who pretend in some places that no women was writing to great credit in her day and age for such promotion to remain necessary, even vital.

"No country is wretched, sweet lady," returned the knight, "till it consents to its own slavery.["]

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my brother's favorite books - so I had to give it a try. Very interesting time in history. Porter's prose borders on purple throughout, but she gives Wallace the most rousing speeches ever - if that's the way he really talked, no wonder his men were so ready to follow him to the death. Porter makes Wallace out to be a paragon of everything virtuous and faithful and manly, and sometimes that grated, but he was a real man in history and his role was pivotal and the Scots were the underdogs in the fight - so I went with it. The best part of the story for me was the friendship between Wallace and the young Edwin. (Edwin was almost more interesting than Wallace.)And really, the book is about the deep loyalty of friends, and the motivating power of grief. Quite good, all in all. I can see why so many people have been influenced by this story.

[GV · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book for its deeply Christian insights into the virtues of enduring love, loyalty, mercy, courage, honesty, and justice. As this story is generally about the Scottish-English wars of the 1200's, and particularly about William Wallace, these virtues are often illustrated in the context of war. Jane Porter, through Wallace, addresses the following questions:
"Is war ever justified? If so, when?"
"Is all really 'fair' in war, or are there Godly standards that Christians must honor?"
"Can mercy and justice be meted out at the same time?"
Many more such questions are discussed in a way that I found to be thoroughly and refreshingly Christian.

[Tim Zornes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The life story of William Wallace, one of the most noble men in history. A story of honorable, integrity-filled, merciful, inexorable manliness in defense of country, family, friends, and the oppressed. The exhibition of sacrifice and loyalty to both friends, foes, and rivals is incredible. Old Scots English makes for a bit tougher read. It's a romanticized version of his life, rather loose on the historicity of his life.

[Marguerite · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of this book doesn't give you anything to go on. It sounds more like a boring history. It's not. It is a beautiful, well written historical drama about William Wallace and the events in his life and the fight for Scotland's independence. It is also a tragic and beautiful love story. Read it.

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realize that this N.C. Wyeth/Reissued Classics edition was the abridged version until after I finished it, but I still enjoyed this vivid recreation of Wallace's heroics amid the Scottish Wars for Independence.

[Angela R. Watts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing style was a bit confusing - lots of things jumbled (dialogue didn't get seperated). Characters got a bit hard to distinguish but I figured it out. Not a bad book.

[Stephanie Ricker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I owned this illustrated version but ended up listening to the book on Librivox, which is always a mixed bag...the volunteer readers are a little all over the place, and alas, only one chapter's reader had a Scottish accent, which seemed deeply wrong somehow. The prose is extremely flowery and romanticized, but it has an undeniable appeal, and I can see why so many people found this work to be formative and why it's still so beloved in Scotland in spite of its inaccuracies. It's also one of the earliest examples of historical fiction, and Porter is sometimes called the mother of historical fiction. Porter apparently did her best to make the book historically accurate, although she definitely takes some liberties when sources were scarce, including the much-sanitized death of Wallace, which is unrecognizable from the Braveheart version. Wallace is a godlike, pure hero who always has mercy on his enemies (err, not at all like the real Wallace in that case--no mention here of him making a sword handle and sheath out of his enemey's skin, that's for sure!) and who wins even his enemies over by the shining example of his noble character. Really, the Wallace of this novel bears almost no resemblance to the Mel Gibson version (not that that's particularly historically accurate either), and he's so idealized and divinely high-minded that he doesn't seem like a real person at all, at least to the modern reader. Edwin is the real MVP here and is much more relatable, and I was legitimately sad when he died. The female characters are all rather caricatures, and I'm not even sure Joanna the countess of Mar was real (Porter says she is, but I didn't see much about her--certainly nothing saying she brought about the downfall of Wallace), but I did appreciate the occasional moments of grit Helen Mar showed in between fainting spells.

Reading this, which takes place around 1300 in Scotland, and The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett, which takes place around 1547 in Scotland, at the same time in two different formats was a little head-spinning. In both stories, the Scots are fighting the English (surprise, surprise), and a lot of the names are the same (Lennox, Douglas, Erskine) so I had to make a conscious effort to keep everybody straight. Maybe I need to stagger my Scotland binge-reading slightly.

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sir William Wallace, the hero of this story is so valiant, honorable, passionate, loyal, and strong, that critics may label him unrealistic. Perhaps; but in a cynical world, sometimes we need a hero that noble.

Scotland is in peril of being enslaved under the cruel hand of England. The royal prince shrinks in fear and complacency from his rightful crown, and must be reminded who he is. A kind and gentle maiden must be rescued from enemy hands. And William Wallace, a man acquainted with heartache and grief, is the bravehearted man at the center of the tale—the regent and shepherd of his native land. In Wallace, all Scotland’s hopes and expectations lie.

As I understand it, this book is the original novel behind the infamous movie, “Braveheart”. Although written in tedious old English, it is a classic. There are brave knights, true brothers, fair maidens, devious villains, a traitorous lovesick lady, and the tyrant enemy king. It’s fascinating, and the plot is rich.


[Slight] SPOILER: In the end, everyone who should get married does, albeit in strange places and under rather bizarre circumstances.

[Anna Wiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must have been 13 or so when I first read this book, and at the time, I adored it. More than a decade later, I can't say that it stirs me in quite the same way. It's a halfway-decent read, if you look on it purely as a work of fiction- its historical accuracy is laughable at best. And, as a product of its time, it is flowery, sentimental, and melodramatic (I really should have been keeping a tally of the number of times Lady Helen fainted). I give it 3 stars rather than 2 solely for the nostalgia factor. If you're going to read it, though, make sure you read this edition- the N.C. Wyeth illustrations are worth the price of admission.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really enjoyable to read when I was a young boy, almost 20 years ago. There are certain books that one reads while growing up that elicits not only a change in the way we think, but also in the way we act. I remember reading this and upon finishing it I immediately wanted to be brave, protect the women and children, and fight for faith and freedom. That's the mark of a good book.

[Kent Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know much about William Wallace outside of the film Braveheart but I doubt he was quite as angelic as this book makes out. But, it is subtitled 'a romance' so I shouldn't be surprised. Certainly not an easy read but still engaging enough that I was in no danger of giving up on it. Now I'm left wanting to find out the real story.

[Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.25-2.5

[Dlmrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Private Account · Rating 5 out of 5]

My eight year old gives it 20 stars. I loved it as well. Real heroes! Glorious in this age of endless antiheroes.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very well written, but gets only three stars because, first it is not very historically accurate although a small part of this could be due to the resources available in 1809; nonetheless, there are several facts that have been gravely distorted. Second, Porter completely overdoes the women in this book. I mean seriously. More of the book is devoted to the intrigues of a the Countess of Mar and Wallace's relationship with her and her daughter than any other topic in the book. Not that I'm against such things, but there is too much of it here.

Having said that, I do appreciate this book for it's keen and unique insights into what real manhood is.

[Rachel Thomson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely wonderful book, telling the story of William Wallace with a far older perspective than Braveheart gave us, deep and moving and beautiful. N.C. Wyeth's illustrations are gorgeous. This is a little-known classic that deserves to be resurrected!

[Graham Cracka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this at my local library and loved it! The formal writing style of the author gives a feel of antiquity to the story that you don't get from modern authors. It wasn't the easiest read, but I highly recommend reading it if you can track it down.