The Fortunes of Nigel, Vol. 26

Set at the end of the reign of James VI and I, The Fortunes of Nigel sits among Walter Scott’s richest creations in political insight, range of characterisation and linguistic virtuosity. Well versed in the political literature of the period, Scott drew a detailed picture of London in the early 17th century while charting the effects of Scottish influx into the English capital: the ambitions and fears of the incomers and the suspicion they aroused. The complex web of political (and sexual) intrigue, and especially of all-important financial dealings and double-dealings, is traced with a master’s hand. No Scott novel has a more memorable cast of characters. King James heads them, with his childish irresponsibility and elusive character: a would-be Solomon and father of…

Find out what Scott really wrote. Going back to the original manuscripts, a team of scholars has uncovered what Scott originally wrote and intended his public to read before errors, misreadings and expurgations crept in during production.