Sir Walter Scott's Woodstock

by Walter Scott

1895

Woodstock opens in farce, yet it is one of Scott's darkest novels. It deals with revolution, to Scott the most disturbing of all subjects: 'it appears that every step we made towards liberty, has but brought us in view of more terrific perils'. Written during the financial crisis which culminated in his insolvency, the novel, Scott feared, 'would not stand the test'. Yet it is a major source of interest for, in the superb portrait of Cromwell, it is tempting to see Scott's own self-torturing as he contemplated his ruin.