Subject
Jacobite Rebellion, 1745-1746 -- Fiction Books
Best books
George W. Gough
The Yeoman Adventurer
"The Yeoman Adventurer" by George W. Gough is a historical novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds through the experiences of Oliver Wheatman, a yeoman, as he navigates life in a tumultuous period marked by the Jacobite uprisings, personal ambition, and romantic entanglements. The novel delves into themes of bravery, identity, and the quest for adventure against a backdrop of deep social and political upheaval. The opening of the book introduces Oliver Wheatman as he reflects on his life in a rural setting, immediately exposing his longing for adventure and the complexities of his relationships, especially with a character named Kate and her brother Jack Dobson, a soldier. As he witnesses soldiers marching and grapples with feelings of inadequacy, his fate intertwines with that of a captivating woman, Mistress Margaret Waynflete, who is entangled in the Jacobite cause. The chapter sets up a series of events where violence and danger emerge, ultimately leading Oliver to rescue Mistress Waynflete, and shapes the thrilling and romantic quest that defines the narrative.
Walter Scott
Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since
"Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since" by Walter Scott is a historical novel published in 1814. A young English gentleman receives a commission in a Scottish regiment on the eve of the Jacobite rising of 1745. During leave, he discovers his host supports the exiled Jacobite prince, forcing him to choose between loyalty to the Crown and admiration for the rebels' romantic cause. His honorable conduct earns him allies on both sides as the uprising unfolds toward its inevitable conclusion.
Walter Scott
Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since
"Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since" by Walter Scott is a historical novel published anonymously in 1814. Young English officer Edward Waverley is commissioned into a Scottish regiment on the eve of the 1745 Jacobite uprising. Visiting Scotland, he discovers his host supports the exiled Prince Charles Edward Stuart. Torn between Crown loyalty and the romance of rebellion, Waverley must navigate treacherous allegiances as he's drawn deeper into the conflict that will reshape his life and Scotland's future.
D. K. (Dorothy Kathleen) Broster
The flight of the heron
"The Flight of the Heron" by D. K. Broster is a historical novel first published in 1925. Set during the Jacobite rising of 1745, it follows an unlikely friendship between Ewen Cameron, a Highland chieftain fighting for the Jacobite cause, and Keith Windham, an English officer in the Government army. Brought together by fate and a heron's flight, these men on opposite sides find their destinies entangled through capture, escape, and impossible choices between duty and loyalty in war-torn Scotland.
William Harrison Ainsworth
The Manchester Rebels of the Fatal '45
"The Manchester Rebels of the Fatal '45" by William Harrison Ainsworth is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The narrative unfolds during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, specifically focusing on the events in Manchester as the Jacobite army led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart moves southward. The story introduces a range of characters involved in the tumult of political intrigue, including Colonel Townley, the earnest Jacobite, and the beautiful Constance Rawcliffe, who captures the attention of the protagonist, Atherton Legh. The opening of the novel sets the stage for the unfolding drama through a vivid portrayal of Manchester in the early 18th century, contrasting its picturesque architecture with the tensions brewing beneath the surface. As Ainsworth introduces themes of loyalty, betrayal, and love, we meet the young Atherton Legh, who is caught between his guardian’s wishes and his personal desires, particularly regarding his attraction to Constance Rawcliffe. The chapter also hints at the darker elements of the narrative, such as the mysterious disappearance of an infant heir and the political unrest that resonates throughout the town as it braces for the arrival of the rebellious forces. This rich backdrop primes readers for a tale filled with complex motivations and consequential choices.
John Buchan
Midwinter: Certain Travellers in Old England
"Midwinter: Certain Travellers in Old England" by John Buchan is a historical novel published in 1923. Set during the 1745 Jacobite rising, it follows Scottish Jacobite Alastair Maclean as he travels through England seeking support for Bonnie Prince Charlie's cause. When he encounters betrayal, mysterious allies, and a forbidden love, Maclean must navigate a treacherous landscape of loyalty and deception. The novel offers an imaginative account of Samuel Johnson's missing years during this turbulent period in English history.
Joseph Hocking
Mistress Nancy Molesworth: A Tale of Adventure
"Mistress Nancy Molesworth: A Tale of Adventure" by Joseph Hocking is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story features Roger Trevanion, who, despite holding an esteemed family name, finds himself in dire financial straits. The narrative revolves around his struggles to secure his estate while embroiled in the fate of Nancy Molesworth, a maid whose freedom is threatened by the scheming Killigrew family. At the start of the story, we meet Roger Trevanion as he grapples with the reality of his family's diminishing fortunes after the death of his father. Overwhelmed with debt and encouraged by his lawyer to consider a marriage to remedy his financial woes, Trevanion finds himself at an internal conflict regarding women, stemming from a past rejection. His fortunes take a dramatic turn when he is summoned by Peter Trevisa, who offers him an intriguing deal: to rescue Nancy Molesworth from her guardianship under the Killigrews in exchange for the restoration of Trevanion’s titles and profits. As he embarks on this risky venture, tensions mount, with hints of adventure, conflict, and romance unfolding amid the rugged backdrop of Cornwall.
Walter Scott
Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — Volume 1
"Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — Volume 1" by Walter Scott is a historical novel published in 1814. Young English gentleman Edward Waverley receives a military commission in a Scottish regiment on the eve of the 1745 Jacobite uprising. During leave, he discovers his host, Baron Bradwardine, supports the exiled Jacobite prince Charles Edward Stuart. Drawn into Highland society and captivated by the romantic rebel cause, Waverley faces an agonizing choice between Crown loyalty and Jacobite sympathy—a decision that will test his honor on both sides of a dangerous rebellion.
Walter Scott
Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — Complete
"Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — Complete" by Walter Scott is a historical novel published anonymously in 1814. Young English soldier Edward Waverley receives a commission in a Scottish regiment just before the Jacobite rising of 1745. Visiting a family friend in Scotland, he discovers a world of Highland warriors loyal to the exiled Bonnie Prince Charlie. Torn between duty to the Crown and the romantic allure of the Jacobite cause, Waverley must choose sides in a conflict that will test his honor and shape his destiny.
William MacLeod Raine
A Daughter of Raasay: A Tale of the '45
"A Daughter of Raasay: A Tale of the '45" by William MacLeod Raine is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative is set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Jacobite rising of 1745 in Scotland, focusing on themes of loyalty, gambling, and the complexities of honor and betrayal. The story follows Kenneth Montagu, a young man entangled in the world of high-stakes gambling and political intrigue, as he grapples with his identity and obligations amidst a backdrop of impending rebellion. At the start of the novel, we encounter Kenneth Montagu indulging in reckless gambling at a table filled with flamboyant characters, where he quickly loses a substantial amount of family wealth, endangering his younger siblings' futures. As he wrestles with his follies, an encounter with Lord Balmerino hints at a more considerable opportunity for redemption and adventure. Soon, Montagu finds himself embroiled in a conspiracy surrounding a Jacobite restoration and is drawn into a scheme to rescue a young Scottish woman named Aileen from the clutches of the villainous Sir Robert Volney. This opening portion effectively establishes the intrigue and energy of the narrative, setting in motion the central conflict and introducing the captivating interplay of love and war that will unfold throughout the story.
Walter Scott
Waverley; or, 'Tis sixty years since — Volume 2
"Waverley; or, 'Tis Sixty Years Since — Volume 2" by Walter Scott is a historical novel published in 1814. Young English soldier Edward Waverley finds himself caught between Crown and cause during the Jacobite rising of 1745. Visiting Scotland, he encounters Baron Bradwardine and the charismatic Mac-Ivor siblings, discovering they support the exiled Prince Charles Edward Stuart. Accused of desertion, rescued by Highlanders, and drawn to the romantic rebellion, Waverley must choose where his loyalty lies as the uprising unfolds toward its inevitable conclusion.
Halliwell Sutcliffe
The Lone Adventure
"The Lone Adventure" by Halliwell Sutcliffe is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of the Jacobite Rising in England, the story unfolds in the picturesque moors of Lancashire, following the experiences of Rupert Royd, the heir to the estate of Windyhough. The narrative dives into themes of loyalty, struggle, and personal identity as Rupert grapples with his perceived weakness and familial expectations, while the larger political tensions simmer around him. At the start of the novel, we meet Rupert as he stands alone on the moor, contemplating his insecurities and the challenges imposed by his mother and brother. Rupert feels like an outsider in his own family due to his physical frailties and longing for the acceptance of the gallant image embodied by his younger brother, Maurice. As he interacts with Nance Demaine, a girl who understands his struggles, feelings of rivalry and self-doubt surface when their love line becomes intertwined with his brother's affections. The chapter takes a dramatic turn when Rupert confronts Maurice in a fight, seeking to assert himself. The opening portion vividly portrays the inner and outer conflicts faced by Rupert as the tensions of a pending civil war loom, setting the stage for the larger historical narrative to unfold.
Recently surfaced classics