# The Confusion of King Agramant’s Camp explained — Waverley

> Chapter companion for Waverley by Walter Scott.

## What happens

Waverley narrowly escapes assassination by Callum Beg, leading to a confrontation with Fergus MacIvor. Prince Charles Edward Stuart intervenes, resolving the misunderstanding about Waverley's supposed attachment to Rose Bradwardine and restoring temporary peace between the two officers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Loyalty and Allegiance

The Prince appeals to the shared cause and the need for unity, while clan loyalty drives Callum Beg's assassination attempt and Fergus's defense of his family's honor.

### Honor and Duty

Both Waverley and Fergus feel their honor is at stake; the Prince emphasizes duty to the cause over personal quarrels.

### Romanticism vs. Reality

Waverley's romantic notions of Highland honor clash with the reality of clan violence and political maneuvering.

## Character check-ins

### Edward Waverley

Rides apart to sketch a hall, is warned by Evan Dhu, then fired upon by Callum Beg; confronts Fergus and later submits to the Prince's arbitration.

### Fergus MacIvor

Confronts Waverley over an alleged affront to his sister Flora; later reconciled by the Prince's mediation.

### Evan Dhu Maccombich

Warns Waverley with a single word, 'Beware!' and then disappears.

### Alick Polwarth

Waverley's servant; witnesses Callum Beg's shot and reports it; later confronts Callum.

### Callum Beg

Fires at Waverley from a lurking-place; denies the act but is ordered into custody by the Prince, then left to Fergus's justice.

### Prince Charles Edward Stuart

Acts as umpire between Waverley and Fergus; reveals the misunderstanding about Rose Bradwardine and restores order.

### Baron of Bradwardine

Commands his regiment; his presence prevents discussion of his daughter's name; later assists Monsieur de Beaujeu.

### Bailie Macwheeble

Appears as a commissary with a white cockade; is overturned by troopers and retreats amid laughter.

## Key lines

> It was Waverley’s custom sometimes to ride a little apart from the main body, to look at any object of curiosity which occurred on the march.

Waverley often rode away from the group to examine interesting sights along the way.

_Establishes Waverley's independent and curious nature, which leads to the assassination attempt._

> The combat between the knights would certainly, as in the days of chivalry, have been preceded by an encounter between the squires...

In true medieval fashion, the knights' duel would have been preceded by a fight between their attendants.

_Narrator's ironic comparison to chivalric romance highlights the absurdity of the quarrel._

> If I owed less to your disinterested friendship, I could be most seriously angry with both of you for this very extraordinary and causeless broil, at a moment when my father’s service so decidedly demands the most perfect unanimity.

If I didn't value your friendship so much, I would be furious at this pointless quarrel that threatens our cause.

_The Prince rebukes both men for endangering the Jacobite campaign with personal disputes._

## Links

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