By the author of Waverley

[Sir Walter Scott]. Chronicles of the Canongate: second series. [1st edition]. Edinburgh: Printed for Cadell and Co., Edinburgh; and Simpkin and Marshall, London, 1828. Two volumes; Vol. 1 displayed.

The second series of Chronicles of the Canongate was originally intended to be a compendium of shorter fiction like the first series. It comprises, however, a single novel Saint Valentine’s Day, or, The fair maid of Perth, set in the turbulent times of late fourteenth century Perth when the mild Robert III was king of Scotland. It was Scott’s last major commercial and critical success as a writer of fiction.

[Sir Walter Scott]. Chronicles of the Canongate: second series. [1st edition]. Edinburgh: Printed for Cadell and Co., Edinburgh; and Simpkin and Marshall, London, 1828. Two volumes; Vol. 1 displayed.
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[Sir Walter Scott]. Chronicles of the Canongate: second series. [1st edition]. Edinburgh: Printed for Cadell and Co., Edinburgh; and Simpkin and Marshall, London, 1828. Two volumes; Vol. 2 displayed.

Scott’s publisher was urging him in the direction of chivalry but Scott felt the reading public was sated with such works. Scott resolved to refresh the chivalric element by utilising the theme of the ‘brave coward’ producing (unusually for Scott) a novel with a tragic bent. The action culminates in a ceremonial battle in which the champions of two clans fight to settle a grievance in the presence of King Robert.

[Sir Walter Scott]. Chronicles of the Canongate: second series. [1st edition]. Edinburgh: Printed for Cadell and Co., Edinburgh; and Simpkin and Marshall, London, 1828. Two volumes; Vol. 2 displayed.
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[Sir Walter Scott]. Anne of Geierstein, or, The maiden of the mist. [1st edition]. Edinburgh: Printed for Cadell and Co., Edinburgh; and Simpkin and Marshall, London, 1829. Three volumes; Vol. 1 displayed.

Essentially a sequel to Quentin Durward, Anne of Geierstein focusses on the downfall and eventual defeat of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy at the Battle of Nancy. Set during the reign of Edward IV shortly after the Yorkist victory at the Battle of Tewkesbury (1471), the action unfolds chiefly in France and Switzerland. The plot follows two exiled Lancastrians, John de Vere, Earl of Oxford and his son Arthur who travel to the Court of Charles hoping to convert him to the Lancastrian cause. The title character is a young Countess who rescues Arthur when attacked by vertigo in the Swiss Alps.

Despite the profound reservations of both Scott and his publisher, Anne of Geierstein sold well, especially in England.

[Sir Walter Scott]. Anne of Geierstein, or, The maiden of the mist. [1st edition]. Edinburgh: Printed for Cadell and Co., Edinburgh; and Simpkin and Marshall, London, 1829. Three volumes; Vol. 1 displayed.
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[Sir Walter Scott]. Tales of my landlord: fourth and last series. [1st edition]. Printed for Robert Cadell, Edinburgh; and Whittaker and Co., London, 1832. Four volumes; Vol. 1 displayed.

Written during times of rapidly deteriorating health and published ten months before Scott’s death, the fourth series of Tales of my landlord comprises his two last novels, Count Robert of Paris and Castle dangerous.

Count Robert of Paris is set in Constantinople during the reign of Emperor Alexius Comnenus during the first Crusade in 1096. The plot unfolds as the valiant and haughty Frankish knight Count Robert grossly insults the Emperor and is subsequently held hostage. Castle Dangerous is set in the Scottish borders during the Wars of Independence and focuses on the English defence of Castle Douglas against the forces of Robert the Bruce.

Friends and colleagues feared for the effects of overwork and Scott suffered two strokes while working on Castle dangerous. Plagued by self-doubt, and aware that his creative powers were waning due to failing health, Scott was astonished at the continuing loyalty of the reading public to his works.

[Sir Walter Scott]. Tales of my landlord: fourth and last series. [1st edition]. Printed for Robert Cadell, Edinburgh; and Whittaker and Co., London, 1832. Four volumes; Vol. 1 displayed.
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