The Bride of Lammermoor is a historical novel written by Sir Walter Scott and published in 1819. It is part of a series called the Waverley novels. The story takes place in the Lammermuir Hills of southeast Scotland, near the time of the Act of Union in 1707. The first version of the book was set shortly before the Act, while a later version from 1830 was set shortly after. The novel follows a sad love story between Lucy Ashton and Edgar Ravenswood, who are enemies because of their families. Scott said the story was inspired by a real event. The Bride of Lammermoor and A Legend of Montrose were published together without the author's name as the third book in Scott's Tales of My Landlord series. The story later inspired the opera Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti in 1835.
Composition and sources
Scott did not sign a deal to write Tales of my Landlord (Third Series) at a specific time, but he began writing it in early September 1818. This was about two months after he finished The Heart of Midlothian. He completed the work in late April or early May of the next year. In March, Scott had to stop writing because he suffered a serious illness caused by gallstones. However, he started writing again in early April, dictating the final chapters (from partway through Chapter 26 to the end) to John Ballantyne and William Laidlaw.
Scott learned the main story of the novel from spoken stories and printed materials. He used different versions of these stories and changed them to fit his fictional tale (see "The Ashton story" below). The Gowrie Conspiracy, a historical event Scott studied while working as an editor in the 17th century, appears in several parts of the book. For descriptions about hunting, Scott used a book in his library: the second edition of George Turbervile’s anonymous The Noble Art of Venerie or Hunting (1611).
Editions
The first edition of Tales of my Landlord (Third Series), which includes The Bride of Lammermoor and A Legend of Montrose, was published in Edinburgh by Archibald Constable on June 21, 1819, and in London by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown on June 26. Like all Waverley novels before 1827, this book was published anonymously. It is estimated that 10,000 copies were printed, and the price was £1 and 12 shillings, which was about £1.60 in today's money. Scott made some small changes to The Bride of Lammermoor when it was later included in the octavo Novels and Tales in 1819. His major revisions were completed in late 1829 and early 1830 for the Magnum edition. This edition included notes and an introduction and appeared as part of Volume 13 and the entire Volume 14 in June and July 1830. For the Magnum edition, Scott shifted the story's setting from just before the Act of Union in 1707 to the time right after it.
The standard modern edition, edited by J. H. Alexander, was published as Volume 7a of the Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels in 1993. This edition is based on the first edition, with corrections mainly from Scott's own writings. The new material from the Magnum edition is included in Volume 25a.
Plot summary
The story tells of the sad love between Lucy Ashton and Edgar, the Master of Ravenswood. Edgar’s father lost his title because he supported King James VII, who had been removed from power. Lucy’s father, Sir William Ashton, then bought the Ravenswood estate. Edgar is angry with Sir William for taking over his family’s land, but when he meets Lucy, he falls in love with her and decides not to seek revenge.
Sir William’s wife, Lady Ashton, is the main antagonist in the story. She wants to stop Edgar and Lucy’s happy relationship and force Lucy into a marriage that would benefit their family politically. Lady Ashton reads Edgar’s letters to Lucy and tricks Lucy into believing Edgar has forgotten her. Edgar leaves Scotland for France to work on his political goals. While he is away, Lady Ashton continues her plan. She persuades a soldier named Captain Westenho to spread rumors that Edgar is about to marry someone in France. She also asks a woman named Ailsie Gourlay, who is known for her knowledge of herbs and magic, to show Lucy signs that Edgar is unfaithful. Lucy still believes in her promise to Edgar and writes to him. Lady Ashton hides Lucy’s letter and brings a preacher named Reverend Bide-the-bent to convince Lucy to give up on Edgar. Instead, the preacher helps Lucy send another letter, but Edgar does not reply.
Lady Ashton eventually pressures Lucy to marry Francis, the Laird of Bucklaw. On the day before the wedding, Edgar returns and sees that Lucy has signed the marriage papers with Bucklaw. He rejects Lucy, who is too shocked to speak. The wedding happens the next day, followed by a celebration at Ravenswood. While the guests are dancing, Lucy stabs Bucklaw in the bridal room, seriously injuring him. She quickly becomes mentally unstable and dies. Bucklaw recovers but refuses to explain what happened. Edgar returns for Lucy’s funeral. Lucy’s older brother blames Edgar for her death and challenges him to a duel. Edgar, filled with sorrow, agrees. However, on the way to the duel, Edgar falls into quicksand and dies.
Chapter summary
Ch. 1: Peter Pattieson explains that he gathered the following story from notes left by his late friend, the artist Dick Tinto. These notes were taken from a tale told by a farmer’s wife from Lammermoor.
Ch. 2: The narrator introduces the Ravenswood and Ashton families. Edgar Ravenswood buries his father in a religious ceremony. He does this without following the rules set by the local religious leaders and Sir William Ashton, who is the Lord Keeper.
Ch. 3: A memory of an old act of revenge by a Ravenswood causes Ashton to stop his plans to take legal action against Edgar. He takes his daughter Lucy for a walk in the park. There, he meets Norman, the forester, who dislikes Ashton for not enjoying sports.
Ch. 4: Ashton and Lucy visit old Alice. She warns Ashton about the Ravenswoods’ history of revenge.
Ch. 5: Edgar saves Lucy from a wild bull and helps her at a fountain believed to be unlucky for the Ravenswoods. He reveals his identity and leaves. Lucy begins to think about Edgar, and her father changes his story about the funeral, surprising his friends in Edinburgh.
Ch. 6: Bucklaw and Craigengelt support Edgar in his argument with Ashton. However, when Edgar arrives, he says he no longer wants to fight Ashton. This makes Bucklaw and Craigengelt angry.
Ch. 7: After being challenged to a duel by Bucklaw, Edgar defeats him. He then offers Bucklaw shelter at his old and broken castle, Wolfscrag. This angers his servant, Caleb.
Ch. 8: Edgar and Bucklaw spend time doing nothing at Wolfscrag. A letter arrives from the Marquis of A——, telling Edgar not to travel abroad but offering no help.
Ch. 9: While hunting, the Ashtons are caught in a storm and take shelter at Wolfscrag.
Ch. 10: Caleb, worried about not having enough food, keeps the Ashton servants and Bucklaw out of the castle. Bucklaw becomes angry and goes to the Wolfshope inn with Craigengelt. When Edgar greets Lucy at the castle, a loud thunderclap and lightning strike happen.
Ch. 11: Caleb claims the thunder ruined a planned feast.
Ch. 12: Caleb steals a duck from the spinning rod used for cooking at the home of John Girder, a barrel maker. The duck was meant for a baby’s party.
Ch. 13: At first, Girder is angry about Caleb’s theft. However, he sends more food to Wolfscrag after learning he might get a promotion through Sir William Ashton.
Ch. 14: Caleb and Ashton’s servant, Lockhard, talk about the Ravenswood and Ashton families. Ashton suggests to Edgar that they should stop their fight.
Ch. 1 (15): The narrator explains that Ashton wants to reconcile with Edgar for his own political reasons.
Ch. 2 (16): Edgar refuses to talk about his legal problem with Ashton. Ashton plans to use his relationship with Edgar and his daughter for his own benefit. Craigengelt brings a challenge from Bucklaw to Edgar and is sent away.
Ch. 3 (17): Ashton convinces Edgar that he treated him kindly by not punishing him for his father’s funeral. Edgar says he is now Edgar’s friend.
Ch. 4 (18): Caleb tries to stop Edgar from visiting Ravenswood Castle, now owned by the Ashtons, by telling him about an old prophecy. Edgar ignores Caleb and scares young Henry Ashton by looking like a portrait of a vengeful ancestor, Sir Malise Ravenswood.
Ch. 5 (19): Edgar and Lucy visit Alice, who warns them not to be friends.
Ch. 6 (20): Edgar and Lucy promise to marry at the fountain, splitting a gold coin between them. When they return to Ravenswood Castle, they learn the Marquis of A—— will visit.
Ch. 7 (21): Edgar and Lucy disagree on some things, but their relationship grows. Craigengelt supports Bucklaw’s plan to marry Lucy. Lady Ashton and Lady Blenkinsop, Bucklaw’s relative, also support the match.
Ch. 8 (22): Craigengelt tells Lady Ashton, who is staying with Lady Blenkinsop, that Edgar lives at Ravenswood Castle. She arrives at the castle at the same time as the Marquis. Despite her husband’s objections, Lady Ashton writes a note telling Edgar to leave the castle, angering the Marquis.
Ch. 9 (23): Edgar sees a ghostly figure of Alice at the fountain. He goes to her cottage and finds her dead. Three old women arrive to prepare her body for burial.
Ch. 10 (24): Edgar arranges Alice’s funeral with John Mortsheugh, the church worker.
Ch. 11 (25): The Marquis questions whether Edgar’s relationship with Lucy is wise. He offers Edgar a job that would take him abroad. Caleb announces that Wolfscrag, where Edgar and the Marquis are going, is on fire. Edgar is welcomed at the home of John Girder, who has been promoted.
Ch. 12 (26): Caleb tells Edgar that the fire was not real. It was a trick to avoid hosting the Marquis and his group.
Ch. 13 (27): In Edinburgh, Edgar writes to Lady Ashton, Ashton, and Lucy. He receives replies that are firm, unsure, and worried.
Ch. 1 (28): One year later, Bucklaw and Craigengelt talk about Bucklaw’s upcoming marriage to Lucy.
Ch. 2 (29): Bucklaw and Lady Ashton agree with Lucy that the marriage papers will be signed if they hear nothing from Edgar by St. Jude’s Day.
Ch. 3 (30): Lady Ashton strictly controlled Lucy’s movements and letters.
Ch. 4 (31): A woman named Aislie Gourlay was brought in to care for Lucy. She told Lucy scary stories about the Ravenswoods. A strict minister was also brought in, but he agreed to send a letter from Lucy to Edgar. The letter was written by Lucy’s mother but not sent, as Lady Ashton decided against it. The letter seemed to ask Edgar to end their engagement.
Ch. 5 (32): On St. Jude’s Day, Edgar arrives just as the marriage papers are signed.
Ch. 6 (33): Edgar ends the engagement, thinking this is what Lucy wants, even though she says little.
Ch. 7 (34): Lucy stabs Bucklaw on their wedding night and dies the next day. Bucklaw promises never to tell anyone why she stabbed him.
Ch. 8 (35): At Lucy’s funeral, Colonel Ashton challenges Edgar to a duel at sunrise. On his way to the meeting, Edgar and
Reception
Among modern reviewers, only the writer in The Scotsman called The Bride of Lammermoor entirely excellent. Many reviewers criticized Walter Scott’s careless writing style and weak story structure. Some believed the novel showed a clear decline from his earlier works, with signs of tiredness and less interesting topics. Reviewers noted repeated characters, though they sometimes acknowledged that differences between characters could still be noticed. Overall, the way characters and dialogue of common people were written was appreciated. The final scenes were widely praised for their emotional power, but some found the mix of funny humor to be a weakness. The gloomy and painful tone of the story also upset some readers. The character Caleb was highly praised, though some felt he was too consistent and stayed in the story too long. Opinions varied about the use of superstition, with some saying it was used well and others calling it foolish and too common. The chapter introducing Dick Tinto was more liked by reviewers than the opening chapters of earlier novels.
The Ashton story
The story is fictional, but according to Scott's introduction for the 'Magnum' edition, it was inspired by a real event involving the Dalrymple and Rutherford families. Scott learned the story from his mother, Anne Rutherford, and his great-aunt, Margaret Swinton. The character Lucy Ashton was based on Janet Dalrymple, the eldest daughter of James Dalrymple, 1st Viscount of Stair, and his wife, Margaret Ross of Balneil. As a young woman, Janet secretly promised to marry Archibald, the third Lord Rutherfurd, who was a relative of the Earl of Teviot. Archibald became the model for the character Edgar of Ravenswood.
When another suitor, David Dunbar, heir to Sir David Dunbar of Baldoon Castle near Wigtown, appeared, Janet’s mother, Margaret, discovered her daughter’s promise to Archibald. She insisted Janet marry Dunbar instead. The Dalrymples did not approve of Archibald because his political views were different from theirs. Lord Stair was a strong supporter of the Whig party, while Archibald supported King Charles II. Archibald also had little money, which made him less desirable. He tried to speak with Janet, but her mother replied that Janet had realized her mistake. A meeting was arranged, during which Margaret quoted a passage from the Book of Numbers (chapter 30, verses 2–5), which says a father may override a vow made by his daughter in her youth.
Janet married David Dunbar on August 24, 1669, in the church of Old Luce, Wigtownshire, two miles south of Carsecleugh Castle, one of her father’s estates. Her younger brother later said Janet’s hand was “cold and damp as marble,” and she remained emotionless throughout the day. While the guests danced, the newlyweds went to their bedchamber. Later, screams were heard, and when the door was opened, Dunbar was found stabbed and bleeding. Janet, whose dress was covered in blood, cowered in the corner and said only, “Take up thy bonny bridgroom.” Janet died on September 12, apparently insane, without explaining what happened. She was buried on September 30. Dunbar recovered from his wounds but also refused to explain the event. He remarried in 1674 to Lady Eleanor Montgomerie, daughter of the Earl of Eglinton, but died in 1682 after falling from a horse near Edinburgh. Archibald Rutherfurd died in 1685 without children.
Most people believed Janet stabbed her husband, though other accounts suggest Archibald hid in the bedchamber to attack Dunbar before fleeing through the window. Some stories also mention the involvement of the devil or other evil spirits. Scott included a quote from Rev. Andrew Symson, a former minister of Kirkinner, who wrote a contemporary elegy titled “On the unexpected death of the virtuous Lady Mrs. Janet Dalrymple, Lady Baldoon, younger,” which records the events and their dates. Scott also quoted more scandalous verses about the story, including those by Sir William Hamilton of Whitelaw, a political rival of Lord Stair.
It is said Janet was buried near Edinburgh at Newliston, but her brother John, later Earl of Stair, married Elizabeth Dundas of Newliston in 1669. He may not have been present at Newliston when Janet died. Janet may have been buried by her husband at Glenluce.
Scott’s biographers have noted similarities between The Bride of Lammermoor and Scott’s own romantic relationship with Williamina Belsches in the 1790s. The tension between Lucy Ashton and Edgar of Ravenswood after their broken betrothal has been compared to Scott’s sadness when Belsches married William Forbes, a much wealthier man, instead of him.
Locations
The spelling Lammermoor is an English version of the Scottish term Lammermuir. The Lammermuir Hills are a group of moors that separate East Lothian in the north from Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders in the south. The fictional castle "Wolf's Crag" has been linked to Fast Castle on the Berwickshire coast. Scott wrote that he was "not able to judge the similarity… having never seen Fast Castle except from the sea." He did agree with the comparison, stating that the location of Fast Castle "seems certainly to resemble that of Wolf's Crag as much as any other."
The name "Edgar"
The name "Edgar" was no longer used during the later Middle Ages, like many other Anglo-Saxon names. The popularity of the book The Bride of Lammermoor helped revive the name, making it widely used again and still in use today.