Waverley · Chapter
Rose Bradwardine and Her Father explained
Edward Waverley is warmly welcomed to Tully-Veolan by the Baron of Bradwardine, who embraces him with both English and French formality.
What happens
Edward Waverley is warmly welcomed to Tully-Veolan by the Baron of Bradwardine, who embraces him with both English and French formality. The Baron, a Jacobite with military and legal pretensions, proudly displays his ancestral home and introduces his daughter Rose, a lively and pretty young woman. Other guests arrive for dinner, including Balmawhapple, Killancureit, a clergyman, and Bailie Macwheeble, each described with the Baron's characteristic pedantry.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Hierarchy
The Baron's detailed discourse on the lineage of his guests, including the yeoman origins of Killancureit and the importance of rank, highlights the theme of social hierarchy.
Honor and Duty
The Baron's pride in his feudal authority and his hospitable welcome to Edward reflect a sense of honor and duty tied to his station.
Identity and Belonging
Edward's arrival at Tully-Veolan and his reception into the Baron's circle explore his shifting identity as he becomes enmeshed in Highland society.
Characters to notice
- Edward Waverley
Arrives at Tully-Veolan and is warmly greeted by the Baron; meets Rose Bradwardine and other guests.
- Baron of Bradwardine
Welcomes Edward with emotion and ceremony; displays his feudal authority, legal learning, and Jacobite pride; introduces his daughter and the dinner guests.
- Rose Bradwardine
The Baron's seventeen-year-old daughter, described as pretty and lively; she greets Edward with bashful courtesy and runs to prepare for dinner.
- Davie Gellatley
Mentioned as the subject of an old woman's insult; summoned the Baron to meet Edward.
- Bailie Macwheeble
Listed as one of the dinner guests, described as the Baron's baron-bailie and doer.
- Mr. Falconer of Balmawhapple
Mentioned as a young laird invited to dinner, fond of field sports.
- Mr. Bullsegg
The Laird of Killancureit, of yeoman extraction, invited to dinner; his family history is recounted by the Baron.
- Mr. Saunders Saunderson
The butler, who first appears with garden stains and later in grand livery to receive guests.
Key passages
“Upon the honour of a gentleman, but it makes me young again to see you here, Mr. Waverley! A worthy scion of the old stock of Waverley-Honour— spes altera , as Maro hath it—and you have the look of the old line, Captain Waverley; not so portly yet as my old friend Sir Everard— mais cela viendra avec le temps , as my Dutch acquaintance, Baron Kikkitbroeck, said of the sagesse of madame son épouse .”
The Baron greets Edward with great warmth, saying his presence rejuvenates him and praising him as a worthy descendant of the Waverley line, though noting he is not yet as stout as Sir Everard.
The Baron's mixed Latin and French speech reflects his pedantic and cosmopolitan character.
“She was indeed a very pretty girl of the Scotch cast of beauty, that is, with a profusion of hair of paley gold, and a skin like the snow of her own mountains in whiteness. Yet she had not a pallid or pensive cast of countenance; her features, as well as her temper, had a lively expression; her complexion, though not florid, was so pure as to seem transparent, and the slightest emotion sent her whole blood at once to her face and neck.”
Rose is described as a pretty Scottish girl with fair hair and very white skin, but with a lively and expressive face that flushes easily with emotion.
This description establishes Rose's beauty and vivacity, contrasting with the more serious Flora.
