The Tale of Old Mortality (Penguin Classics)

Drawn from Scott's original text, the first authoritative edition of his classic historical romance.

Set in 1679 during the Scottish populist rebellion known as the Covenanter uprising, The Tale of Old Mortality is one of the outstanding historical fictions of the nineteenth century. Henry Morton of Milnewood is compelled to take up arms against the royalists, who are led by Claverhouse, a true villain in Scottish history who is, nonetheless, one of Scott's most complex characters. A moderate Covenanter, Morton--whose loyalties are divided by his love for Edith, the beautiful granddaughter of Lady Margaret Bellenden--is one of the "people's heroes" who challenge King Charles II and change the course of Scottish history. Old Mortality is Scott's undisputed masterpiece and distills the humor, grit, and romance of the west of Scotland, past and present.
Edited with an Introduction by Douglas S. Mack
This Penguin Classics edition is based on the acclaimed Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels