The Abbot

Sir Walter Scott’s The Abbot is a powerful historical novel set during one of the most turbulent periods in Scottish history. Continuing the world introduced in The Monastery, the novel follows the young Roland Graeme as he becomes drawn into the court of Mary, Queen of Scots, and into the political, religious, and dynastic struggles surrounding her captivity and attempted restoration.

Blending adventure, court intrigue, romance, and historical tragedy, Scott portrays a divided nation in which loyalty is dangerous, faith is contested, and personal ambition collides with the fate of a queen. His portrait of Mary Stuart is among the most memorable in historical fiction, combining majesty, vulnerability, intelligence, and political misfortune.

This carefully prepared edition presents the complete original English text, together with an editorial introduction, explanatory notes, a glossary of Scots and archaic terms, and a selected bibliography. It is designed for general readers, students, and all those interested in Walter Scott, Scottish history, and the development of the historical novel.