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Woodstock or The Cavalier: The Works of Sir Walter Scott

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WOODSTOCK is set in the year 1652. Months earlier at the battle of Worcester, the Republican General (and future Lord Protector) Oliver Cromwell had definitively stamped out the last resistance by "the King of Scotland," Charles II, son of the beheaded Martyr King Charles I. Thirty-two year old Charles II is in full flight for the coast to find a ship to take him to his exiled mother in France. Cromwell promotes a plot to lure the young King to the ancient Royal Hunting Lodge at Woodstock, near Oxford, still (but not for long) in the hands of its hereditary custodian, Sir Henry Lee. Toward novel's end, Cromwell in person has led select troopers to surround the Lodge, but too late by three hours. The King has successfully fled. In a rage General Cromwell orders execution at high noon of every captured Cavalier and one Roundhead Presbyterian whom he blames for the King's escape. In this number he includes Sir Henry's loyal mastiff, Bevis! Fortunately, the General's aides, familiar with his bouts of melancholy, fits of rage and inevitable repentance, delay the sentence and all are pardoned, even, last of the lot, the dog Bevis.

We are introduced to Bevis in Chapter One, in which is described the desolation of the old chapel of Woodstock Lodge, defaced by the recently victorious anti-Royalists. Sir Henry Lee was grateful to his loyal pet for saving his life and had taken him regularly to church. Bevis sometimes even sang along with the chorus. Later Bevis is steadily suspicious of Charles II when the young man appears at Woodstock, disguised first as a gypsy fortune teller woman, then as a page speaking outlandish Scots and finally openly as King. In particular, whenever Bevis is at hand to growl, Alice, beautiful young daughter of Sir Henry, is never in danger, from Charles's unending efforts at seduction.

Oddly the mastiff (or bloodhound) takes well to "Trusty" Tompkin when he appears at the Lodge as an agent for Cromwell's three Commissioners deputed to take possession of this hated symbol of deposed royalty. It turns out that double-agent Tompkin had before the Civil War worked at the lodge as dog-keeper and assistant to the Anglican rector, an antiquarian writing the history of Woodstock.

WOODSTOCK is a love story of two first cousins whose parents are on opposite sides in the civil war. It is also a story of two divines now enemies who had once been best of friends when brilliant students at Cambridge University. Finally, WOODSTOCK is a novel of the Christian religion in Scotland and England unwinding itself into chaos as the sects contend to force all Britons to worship God "their way."

Throughout WOODSTOCK the dog Bevis moves gravely in and out. Cromwell has spared Sir Henry Lee because Lee is faithful to his King. And Bevis is faithful to Sir Henry. Cromwell wishes he had at least one follower who loved him as much as this dog does Sir Henry. At novel's end in 1660, 16-year old Bevis sits by his master's side during King Charles's triumphal procession to London. Having been shown special signs of regard by His Majesty, the old cavalier prays the nunc dimittis and dies a happy man, followed in a few days by Bevis.

WOODSTOCK is wise in its portrayal of various sects and the appeal they have to wide varieties of men, humble and noble. The great and contrasting historical figures of Oliver Cromwell and King Charles Stuart spring to life on feet of clay. A most enjoyable reading experience.

And "Woodstock" understandably, comes late in season. The best Scott novel, in my opinion, is "The Antiquary", which was quite enjoyable. "Waverly" and many other of his novels set in Scotland are excellent. I have the impression though, that when he steps a foot outside Scotland, the writing deteriorates. "Woodstock" is the story of some Cavalier supporters of the licentious and decadent deposed Charles II, who pose as ghosts to chase the representatives of Cromwell's governement, who are presented as greedy and stupid, out of a former royal estate of the English king, Our hero is a Roundhead moderate, who loves the daughter of the firey old paid caretaker of the king's estate, who is his uncle. The one character I really liked early on in the book, (aside from the hero) turns evil, assaults the maid and gets clubbed in the head and dies. The dog liked him, so he couldn't have been totally bad. But I'm not done yet, and Oliver Cromwell is just re-entering the scene, so maybe things will turn up. I have been, at the same time, reading a biography of Sir Walter Scott, written by his son-in-law and secretery, and Sir Walter had some personal moral failings when it came to social elitism, no offense. He usually tries to present a unbiased field of action, but in this book fails. But if you love his other books, this is worth reading. But don't start here. Try "The Antiquary", "Rob Roy" or "The Heart Of Mid-Lothian". This is about the point where I burn out on him as an author. (P.S. Scott seems occasionally to undeservably attribute Napoleonic characteristicts to Cromwell, such as signing his first name larger than his last. He wrote a biography of Napoleon at one point, so I guess he crossed characters. Scott was more of a romantic writer than a reliable historian.)

P.S. I've always rather admired "The Lord Protector" Cromwell. Now I am going to go find a copy of "The Pirate" by Sir Walter Scott to buy, as I can't find it free online. Darn. ;)

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