Sir Walter Scott of Branxholme and Buccleuch

Though it would probably seem best to start off this blog with a long and detailed post about our hero, I thought I would start off with one of my favorite characters in this series, Sir Walter Scott of Branxholme and Buccleuch.

Actor Kieth Michell portraying Henry VIII in the 1970 series  Six Wives of Henry VIII. 

From Dunnett's descriptions of Sir Walter Scott, I started envisioning this towering hulk of a man with a prominent jaw and overall strong features and naturally, red hair. He certainly has a very strong persona in her books and to be honest, I think if historical accuracy had not tied her hands with this character, Dunnett might have kept old 'Wat' around for much, if not all, of the series. 

He is one of the many real life individuals woven into the series and lived during the tumultuous and bitter period of the Rough Wooing (Henry VIII's persuasion tactics to get the baby Mary Queen of Scots as a bride for his son Edward), seeing much of the action as his lands were located in that murky area of the Lower Marches. Quite a few times he found himself at the displeasure of the Scottish Crown, but Dunnett portrays him in her novels as a fierce Scottish supporter, though not always in line with those who might have been sitting on the throne. And in that I think she has the right of things. 

He comes across the pages as a wildly passionate man, with a hot temper, quick wit and rough tongue ready to lay his life down for love of his family and native land. She merges Wat into her story as an opponent of Lymond (who at this point has been branded and accepted as a traitor in all corners of Europe) as he tries to discover the loyalties of Lymond's elder brother Richard before the enmity between England and Scotland erupt in all out war. In one of my favorite quotes, Wat is haranguing brother Richard over Lymond returning to Scotland and the current mess of war declaring 'and in between raids every landowner between Berwick and Fife is courting England like a pregnant scullery maid. God knows, I don't blame them. I've taken English money myself...', which immediately goes to show his sense of humor, but also that he is a realistic man. He knows the struggles all men up who have lands marching up and down the border between the two nations will face in the times ahead and he fully comprehends the need to 'promise food and horses and nonresistance...you do or don't lick their boots according to the thickness of your walls and the kind of conscience you have.' 

Very quickly, Dunnett sets Sir Wat up to be another hero in her story - maybe not a friend to our intended hero, but most certainly the kind of big, bluff and hardy hero Scotland sorely needed at that time. He is far-sighted, realistic and sharp. Having dealt with the English before, he therefore has knowledge Scotland could put to good use later on. Yes, Sir Walter Scott is one of my most favorite characters in this series and I think it might have been something Dunnett intended all along. 

Welcome

Recently, I started rereading the Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett for the third or fourth time and as my mind began to wander a bit - as it tends to - I began wondering who would fill the roles of these fantastic characters if there were ever a movie to be made. To be honest, I don't think Hollywood would do justice to these novels, but that is a post for another day.

In any event, I fell in love with this series back in college when I didn't quite have the mind to handle all that was written and so missed large chunks of what was really happening. In truth, I was still quite immature when it came to the world, and of history, therefore unable to grasp many of the classical allegories or historical references heavy with meaning and foreshadowing. Furthermore, Dorothy Dunnett was a master of nuance and subtlety and was as mighty as Titian when it came to drawing her readers into a scene. It's taken me another reading of her novels to get a bigger picture and solve more of the puzzle, but I find that each time I start reading any one of the six books again, things start to swim into view. 

Trolling through the internet a few years ago, I came across a couple places where Lymond discussions were taking place, but by then and still now, none of them are active. Many of them provided insights to things I had failed to see and were a great enjoyment to me, but I've always wished for more. And so here is my attempt to provide me and anyone else who is interested in an opportunity to share and discuss Dunnett's great masterpiece. 

I am by no means an expert on this series and am not setting up this blog as a means to broadcast my 'truth', but more as a way for others who have found much to love in these novels to discuss them. Interpretations others might have are most welcome and in some cases will be greatly appreciated, as there are many things to miss.

To start, I'm going back to The Game of Kings where we are first introduced to our tragic hero in the dangerous world of 16th century Scotland and with any luck, I will be able to draw other fans of Dorothy Dunnett and the Lymond Chronicles here as a we follow Francis Crawford of Lymond through his many journeys.