The
Wolfe of Badenoch
Title: The Wolfe of Badenoch: A Historical Romance of the Fourteenth Century
Author: Sir Thomas Dick Lauder
Release date: November 18, 2021 [eBook #66763]
Most recently updated: October 18, 2024
Language: English
Credits: Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net/ for Project Gutenberg (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
The Great Moray Floods of 1829. With numerous Etchings by the Author. Third Edition. Price 8s. 6d.
Highland Legends. Price 6s.
Tales of the Highlands. Price 6s.
Lochandhu. Reprinting.
The Rivers of Scotland. Reprinting.
An Account of the Royal Progress in Scotland in 1842. Out of print.
[7]
The “Wolfe of Badenoch” was advertised in June, 1825, at which time it was ready for the press. Since then, certain circumstances, easily guessed at, have subjected it, with many a more important work, to an embargo, from which critics may possibly say it should never have been liberated. The author himself had forgotten it, until now that it has been unexpectedly called for; and this must be his apology for that want of revision which he fears will be but too apparent.
The author has been accused of being an imitator of the Great Unknown. In his own defence, however, he must say, that he is far from being wilfully so. In truth, his greatest anxiety has been to avoid intruding profanely into the sacred haunts of that master enchanter. But let it be remembered, that the mighty spirit of the magician has already so filled the labyrinth of romance, that it is not easy to venture within its precincts without feeling his influence; and to say that, in exploring the intricacies of these wizard paths, one is to be denounced for unwittingly treading upon these flowers which have been pressed by his giant foot, amounts to a perfect prohibition of all entrance there. [8]
In the “Wolfe of Badenoch,” the author has adhered strictly to historical fact, as far as history or historical character has been interwoven with his story. He has felt, indeed, that this scrupulosity has considerably fettered his invention; and, had circumstances permitted the public so to judge of his former production, some of the remarks thrown out upon it would have been spared.
[Note to the present edition.—The author of course refers here to Sir Walter Scott, at that time, one may almost say, inaugurating a new era in historical romance. The “Wolfe of Badenoch” was first published in 1827 under circumstances of disadvantage, from having to stand the contrast with the famous series of tales by the above distinguished author. It, nevertheless, passed successfully through this trying ordeal, and was most favourably reviewed in many critical publications, some of which ranked it alongside the best productions of Sir Walter Scott. A still more certain and gratifying estimate of its worth was the favourable hold it took on public opinion, the work being extensively read and successive editions speedily called for.] [9]
CHAPTER I. PAGE
The Scottish Knights—Journeying Homewards—The Hostelry of Norham Towers, 17
The Host and the Hostess—Preparing the Evening Meal, 29
The Knights Invited to Norham Castle, 33
The Evening Meal at the Castle—The Minstrel and the Tourney of Noyon—Master Haggerstone Fenwick the Ancient, 39
Night at the Castle—The Friar’s Visit to the Ancient, 47
Making Love on the Ramparts, 54
The Midnight Meeting in the Ancient’s Chamber—Strange Proposal—A Dreadful Alternative, 61
Arrival of Sir Rafe Piersie—The Challenge, 70 [10]
The Combat—Departure of the Scots—Master Kyle Swears by St. Cuthbert, 77
The Home of the Hepbornes—Remembrances of Childhood—The Old Wolf-Hound, 84
The Wolf Hunt—A Desperate Encounter, 90
The Freaks of Love at Hailes Castle—The Tournament at Tarnawa Announced, 97
Sir Patrick Hepborne’s Departure for the North—Consternation at the Castle, 109
The Pursuit—Surprising the Camp, 115
Norham Castle again—The Ancient’s Divination—Sir Walter Bewitched—The Franciscan Friar to the Rescue, 121
Raising the Devil—Delivered to the Flames, 126
Sir John’s Pursuit in Quest of the Missing Lady—The Forester’s Hunting Camp—Sir Miers de Willoughby’s Border Keep, 134
The Horrors of the Dungeon, 140 [11]
Dawn in the Dungeon—An Appalling Sight—Rough Visitors, 147
A Dreadful Situation—Daniel Throckle the Old Jailor, 153
Crooked-hold-him-fast—Making a Lantern of Burnstower Castle, 160
Waiting for the Spearmen—The Lady Isabella’s Tale—The Fight, 166
Sir Patrick Hepborne’s Journey North—Passes through Edinburgh—King Robert II.—The Wilds of the Highlands—The Celtic Host, 171
Savage-looking Visitors—Night in the Highland Hostelry—Wolf Dogs, 180
Wild Scottish Bisons—Fight with a Bull—Cold and Fatigue, 184
The Evening Encampment—Treachery, 191
Another Night attack—A Desperate Encounter, 198
Meeting the Wolfe of Badenoch—The Cavalcade, 205
The Wolfe of Badenoch’s Hunting Encampment—Letter from King Robert—Arrival at the Wolfe’s Stronghold, 210 [12]
The Castle of Lochyndorbe—An Evening Episode on the Ramparts—The Wolfe’s Raid on the Bishop’s Lands, 224
The Lady Mariota and the Page—The Fury of the Wolfe, 231
Maurice’s Song—The Franciscan Friar—Excommunication, 238
The Water Pit Vault—Friar or Devil, which? 247
The Wolfe of Badenoch and the Earl of Moray, 251
The Castle of Tarnawa—Distinguished Guests, 260
The Banquet at the Castle—Alarm—Forres on Fire, 267
The Burning of the Church and Town of Forres, 272
Sir Patrick and the Earl at Forres, 279
In the Countess of Moray’s Apartments—Sir Patrick gets Quizzed, 283
Rory Spears, the Earl’s Henchman, 288 [13]
The Lovely English Damosel, 292
Mustering for the Tournament—The Proclamation—The Procession at St. John’s Chapel, 293
The Italian Armourer—The Knight of Cheviot, 304
The Tournament, 311
The English Ambassador and the Gallant Lindsay, 321
The Earl of Fife’s Council Meeting—The Challenge between the Scottish and English Knights, 326
The Departure from the Castle of Tarnawa—The Alarm of War, 333
The Lord of Dirleton’s Tale—The Bishop of Moray and his Clergy, 342
The Mystery of the Lady Beatrice—Arrival of the Nobles and Men-at-arms at Aberdeen, 351
King Robert at Aberdeen—Duncan MacErchar again, 356 [14]
The Wolfe of Badenoch at Aberdeen—Father and Son, 366
The English Lady’s Departure from Tarnawa Castle—The Crafty Son of the Wolfe of Badenoch, 376
Sir Andrew’s Deep-laid Plot—An Unexpected Arrival, 384
Travelling through the Wild Forest—A Dreadful Spectacle—Arrival at the River Tweed, 394
Old Acquaintances at the Hostel of Norham Tower—Great Gathering at Jedworth—The Council of War, 402
The Scots Besieging Newcastle—The Fight on the Walls, 415
Combat between Douglas and Hotspur—The Fight for the Pennon, 426
The Battle at Otterbourne, 444
The Bishop’s Army—Sorrow for the Fate of the Heroic Douglas, 459
The Field of Otterbourne after the Fight, 465
Withdrawal of the Scots Army—Obsequies of the Gallant Dead—The Mystery Solved, 471 [15]
The Scottish Knights at the English Court—The Wealthy London Merchant—Combat on London Bridge, 485
Lady de Vere and her lovely Guest—Innocence and Purity Endangered—The King’s Confessor and the Franciscan Friar, 506
In the Dungeons of the Tower of London, 525
A Ship of Olden Times—Tempest Tossed—Arrival at the Maison Dieu in Elgin, 529
The Wolfe of Badenoch again—The Burning of Elgin Cathedral, 536
The Bishop’s Palace at Spynie—The Wolfe gets a Surprise, 547
Changes at the Castle of Lochyndorbe—The Wolfe tamed—Alarm for the Lady Beatrice, 555
Bishop Barr at Lochyndorbe Castle—Reception by the Wolfe, 566
The Scottish Knights in London—Father Rushak’s Tale, 576
At the Scottish Court—The Penitential Procession—Sir Patrick and the Friar, 582 [16]
Accusation made in presence of the King—The Challenge, 595
The Missing Lady Beatrice, 604
The Ordeal of Battle, 608
The Friar’s Tale—The Two Combatants—Lady Eleanore’s explanation—All is well that ends well, 615 [17]