Walter Scott

The Monastery Walter Scott

The Monastery by Walter Scott

The story revolves around Kennaquhair Abbey, which Scott based on Melrose Abbey on the Scottish borders. As the Reformation takes hold, the monastic community is increasingly threatened by new doctrines. The hero, Halbert Glendinning is the son of a soldier who died fighting for the monastery. He and his brother Edward are raised in Kennaquhair compound with orphan Mary Avenel, who was swindled of her inheritance by her uncle Julian, a ruthless border baron. The two brothers are in love with Mary, but it's Halbert who wins her favor. An English knight Sir Piercie Shafton flees the court of Queen Elizabeth, having been involved in a Catholic plot, and takes refuge in the monastery. He begins to woo the indifferent Mary Avenel, who, with her arrogant behavior, angered Halbert. An additional antagonism between the two is stirred by the White Lady, a supernatural spirit guardian of the destinies of the House of Avenel, who opposes the union of Marie and Halbert. A duel results, and believing to have killed his rival, Halbert flees. He later converted to Protestantism and entered the service of the Earl of Murray, half-brother of Mary Queen of Scots. Shafton, however, is miraculously healed by the White Lady, but his continued presence in Kennaquhair creates problems with the English court. He finally surrenders to Murray; his claims to a high birth are proved false and he is sent into exile. Halbert rose so quickly in favor of Murray that he sanctioned his marriage to Mary Avenel (whom the White Lady had converted to Protestantism).