Waverley · Chapter
An Old and a New Acquaintance explained
Edward Waverley is presented to Prince Charles Edward Stuart at Holyrood Palace by Fergus MacIvor.
What happens
Edward Waverley is presented to Prince Charles Edward Stuart at Holyrood Palace by Fergus MacIvor. The Prince, after acknowledging the proclamation against Waverley, offers him a choice to leave or join the Jacobite cause. Waverley, swayed by the Prince's romantic appeal and his own family's royalist traditions, pledges his allegiance. Charles Edward grants him a brevet rank of major, but Waverley declines, preferring to serve as a volunteer under Fergus. The Prince gifts him a broadsword and pistols, and the chapter ends with Fergus and Waverley leaving to prepare for the eve of battle.
Themes in this chapter
Romanticism vs. Reality
Waverley is swayed by the Prince's romantic heroism, contrasting with the harsh realities of the Jacobite campaign.
Loyalty and Allegiance
Waverley's decision to join the Jacobite cause reflects his family's royalist traditions and personal loyalty to the Prince.
Identity and Belonging
Waverley's acceptance of the Highland dress and his role as a volunteer signify his integration into the Jacobite community.
Characters to notice
- Edward Waverley
Presented to Prince Charles Edward and pledges his allegiance to the Jacobite cause.
- Fergus MacIvor
Introduces Waverley to the Prince and is instrumental in securing his adherence.
- Prince Charles Edward Stuart
Receives Waverley at Holyrood, offers him a choice, and later commissions him as a volunteer.
- Flora MacIvor
Mentioned by Fergus as being safe and a spectator of their success.
- Sir John Cope
Mentioned as the Hanoverian commander who landed at Dunbar after marching to Aberdeen.
- Colonel Gardiner
His regiment is mentioned as one of the two horse regiments that threatened the Highlanders.
Key passages
“To be thus personally solicited for assistance by a prince whose form and manners, as well as the spirit which he displayed in this singular enterprise, answered his ideas of a hero of romance; to be courted by him in the ancient halls of his paternal palace, recovered by the sword which he was already bending towards other conquests, gave Edward, in his own eyes, the dignity and importance which he had ceased to consider as his attributes.”
Being personally asked for help by a prince who looked and acted like a romantic hero, and being courted in the ancient halls of his ancestral palace, restored Edward's sense of dignity and importance.
Highlights Waverley's romantic idealism and its influence on his decision.
“Waverley, kneeling to Charles Edward, devoted his heart and sword to the vindication of his rights!”
Waverley knelt before Charles Edward and pledged his loyalty and military service to the Prince's cause.
Marks the formal moment of Waverley's allegiance to the Jacobite cause.