Marmion

Description

Marmion: A Tale of Flodden Field is a historical romance written in verse by Sir Walter Scott, originally published in 1808. The narrative unfolds with Lord Marmion, a favored confidant of Henry VIII of England, harboring desires for Clara de Clare, an affluent woman. To secure his pursuit, Marmion, alongside his accomplice and mistress, Constance De Beverley, fabricates a letter incriminating Clara's betrothed, Sir Ralph De Wilton, in treason. Constance, a deceitful nun seeking Marmion's favor, aids in this scheme, hoping for redemption. Following De Wilton's loss in a duel meant to defend his honor against Marmion, he is forced into exile, while Clara chooses seclusion in a convent to evade Marmion's advances. Constance's aspirations for reconciliation with Marmion are dashed when he abandons her. Seeking retribution, she provides the Abbess, one of her judges, with evidence exonerating De Wilton. Disguised as a pilgrim upon his return, De Wilton follows Marmion to Edinburgh, where he is furnished with the documents by the Abbess. Upon presenting these documents to Marmion's host, the Earl of Angus (Archibald Douglas), De Wilton is reinstated as a knight. However, his plans for vengeance are thwarted by the Battle of Flodden. When it was first published, Marmion was a hit with the public, particularly the story of Lochinvar in Canto 5. It also had admirers in the Brontë sisters, two of whom mentioned it in their books (Jane Eyre, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall).

This book has 39,191 words, 142 pages in the PDF version, and was originally published in 1808. This 1888 edition was edited by Henry Morley.

Production notes: This ebook of Marmion was published by Global Grey in 2021, and updated on the 9th April 2024. The artwork used for the cover is 'Portrait of Alfonso d'Este' by Titian.