The Monastery

Sir Walter Scott’s The Monastery is a richly atmospheric historical novel set amid the religious and political upheavals of sixteenth-century Scotland. Against the haunting landscape of Melrose and the Borders, the story follows the fortunes of the Glendinning family, the decline of monastic power, and the growing tensions between tradition, reform, loyalty, and ambition.

Blending history, romance, superstition, and mystery, Scott evokes a world in transition, where ancient beliefs confront a new religious order and where the spectral White Lady of Avenel casts an enigmatic presence over the destinies of the characters.

This carefully prepared edition presents the complete original English text, supplemented by an editorial introduction, explanatory notes, a glossary of Scots and archaic terms, and a selected bibliography. Designed for both general readers and students of historical fiction, it offers a clear and accessible approach to one of Scott’s most distinctive and imaginative novels.