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Peveril of the Peak: The Works of Sir Walter Scott

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PEVERIL OF THE PEAK, a sprawling novel covering the years 1658 -1678, appeared in 1822. It has enough plots and subplots for three novels. It displays more than a score of characters who appear and reappear, a majority real figures of 17th Century English history. Sir Walter Scott, however, for dramatic effect so alternately compresses or expands the chronology of this tale of the Titus Oates anti-Catholic frenzy that at least one historical character, the Countess of Derby, is made a part of events that took place well after her death.

Here is a preliminary guide to major characters. They cluster around three locations: (1) the Isle of Man, (2) the Peak District of Derbyshire and (3) London and the Court of King Charles II.

--(1) In other Walter Scott novels The Isle of Man is a base for smuggling, being situated between Ireland, Scotland and England. Its natives are Celtic-speaking. Its constitution makes its powerful hereditary ruler "King," albeit a feudal subordinate of the Crown of England. Dominating the Isle of Man is French-born Countess Charlotte, widow of James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby. She is mother of and regent for the bored young Earl Charles. William Christian, her steward, had surrendered Man to Cromwell. When King Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660 the Countess summarily executed Christian during a time the King had proclaimed amnesty. For this her son's estate was fined ruinously.

Edward Christian, brother of "the martyr," relentlessly sought hidden, devious vengeance on the Countess. To this end he had his half North African daughter Fenella ruthlessly starved and trained on the Continent as an acrobat. The Countess of Derby had taken pity on Fenella (not knowing that she thought --erroneously -- that she was daughter of the slain William Christian) as her serving maid and secretary.

--(2) Central England's Peak District. This is the home of a ruined 600 year old castle belonging to the Peverils. Sir Geoffrey Peveril is a tall Cavalier impoverished in the English Civil Wars for doing battle for the Stuart Kings Charles I and Charles II against Parliament and Oliver Cromwell. His wife is Margaret Stanley, kinswoman to the Earl of Derby executed by Cromwell in 1651. Lady Margaret is mother of Julian, age three in 1660. Lady Peveril had been entrusted with the raising of 18-month old Alice Bridgenorth, niece of that William Christian executed by the Countess of Derby. Alice's father is Ralph Bridgenorth, a rich Puritan commoner whose lands touch on those of the Peverils. During the Civil War there were times when the Peverils protected the Bridgenorths and times when the Bridgenorths shielded the Peverils. Over time Sir Geoffrey contracted very large debts to Ralph Bridgenorth. The two men quarreled when Bridgenorth attempted to arrest the Countess of Derby in Sir Geoffrey's castle.

Alice's nurse is Deborah Debbitch. Deb fancies Lance Outram, gamekeeper to the Peverils of the Peak.

Keep your eye on four women of this novel: the Countess, her diminutive deaf-mute maid Fenella, Deb Debbitch and Alice Bridgenorth.

--(3) London is the seat of the court of King Charles II. His favorite, George Villiers, Second Duke of Buckingham, lusts to become ruler (King) of the Isle of Man. Parliament had awarded Man to the Duke's father-in-law, Lord Fairfax during the Civil Wars but Charles had given it back to the Stanleys. Various courtiers, thugs, hangers on and others strut their parts on the London stage.

One historical character important in the novel's later stage is the dwarf Sir Geoffrey Hudson, imprisoned like the Peverils father and son on the false charges of Titus Oates.

Reverend Doctor TITUS OATES is today regarded as one of the vilest Englishman in history. From 1678 till 1681 he made his Protestant countrymen believe in a fictitious "Papish Plot." The tiny remnant of Roman Catholics in England were charged with being actively engaged in bringing a Spanish army into the Kingdom for the destruction of government and removal of King Charles II. Innocent men, including Saint Oliver Pluckett, Archbishop of Armagh, were put to death by the lying words of Titus Oates.

In PEVERIL OF THE PEAK all of these characters and others are brought together as Oates spins his web. The Peverils are accused of high treason. Bridgenorth and Christian organize fanatical Protestants (Fifth Monarchists and others) to league with Buckingham to capture the King. The King moves to trim Oates's sails. Julian Peveril pursues his childhood sweetheart Alice Bridgenorth. Fenella/Zarah loves Julian, the only man who has ever treated her with kindness, and tries in vain to persuade him to drop Alice. Fenella is used by Edward Christian to spy on Catholics, dance for Charles II and make Buckingham fall in love with her.

This book is a very slow read. It is hard to keep the characters straight. I have heard people say that PEVERIL OF THE PEAK is the price they paid for meeting Fenella! But in compensation there are many grand scenes, some laced with humor.