"The Pirate," published in 1821 but dated 1822, is one of Sir Walter Scott's Waverley novels. It is based on the life of John Gow, who is portrayed as Captain Cleveland in the story. The novel is set at the southern end of the main island of Shetland, a place Scott visited in 1814. The events in the story take place near the end of the 17th century, with 1689 likely being the year of the main events."
Composition and sources
On August 21, 1820, John Ballantyne offered Archibald Constable a new novel to publish after Kenilworth, which would come out in January 1821. At that time, no title or subject was mentioned. It was not until April 1821 that Ballantyne noted that a book called The Pirate had started being written. Research about the northern isles and other tasks slowed Sir Walter Scott’s progress. The first volume of the book was finished in early August, but Scott then worked faster and completed the book by late October.
In 1814, Scott took a six-week trip with the Northern Lighthouse Commissioners. He kept a diary, which was published later in his biography by J. G. Lockhart. When writing The Pirate, Scott used details from this diary to describe parts of Scotland he had not previously known about. He also gathered some pirate-related books, including History of the Lives and Actions of the Most Famous Highwaymen, Murderers, Street-Robbers, &c. by Captain Charles Johnson (1742). This was helped by a report about the pirate John Gow written by Alexander Peterkin, Sheriff-Substitute of Orkney and Zetland, which was published in 1822, the same year The Pirate appeared. Scott also studied older books about the northern isles, from the 17th century to his time, which discussed agricultural topics mentioned in the novel by Triptolemus Yellowley.
Editions
The Pirate was published in three parts by Constable and Ballantyne in Edinburgh on 24 December 1821 and by Hurst, Robinson, and Co. in London two days later. Like other Waverley novels before 1827, the author's name was not listed. A total of 12,000 copies were printed, but 2,000 of these were added later, causing some confusion in the book's history. The price was one and a half guineas (£1 11 s 6 d or £1.57½). Scott likely did not work on the novel again until March and August 1830, when he revised the text, added an introduction, and included notes for the Magnum edition. This edition included the book as Volumes 24 and 25 in May and June 1831.
A modern version of the book, written by Mark Weinstein and Alison Lumsden, was published in 2001 as Volume 12 of the Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels. It uses the first edition but includes changes from Scott's original notes and corrections made during printing. The Magnum edition's content is in Volume 25b of the series.
Plot introduction
The arrival of the shipwrecked captain, Cleveland, causes problems for young Mordaunt's relationship with the Troil girls. A strong competition develops between Cleveland and Mordaunt. Minna becomes fond of Cleveland, unaware of his real job. Brenda, however, is in love with Mordaunt. The pirates capture the Troils, but after meeting the frigate HMS Halcyon, they are freed. Brenda and Mordaunt are reunited, and Minna and Cleveland separate.
Plot summary
Mr. Mertoun and his son arrived as strangers and lived in the old mansion of the Earls of Orkney for several years. The father lived a quiet life, while the son, Mordaunt, became a favorite among the people, especially with Magnus Troil, the Udaller, and his daughters, Brenda and Minna. On his way home from visiting them, Mordaunt and the pedlar Snailsfoot took shelter from a storm at a farmhouse in Hafra, which belonged to Triptolemus Yellowley, an agent of the Chamberlain of Orkney and Shetland, and his sister Barbara. The visitors found the Yellowleys' lifestyle very simple, and they met Norna, a relative of Magnus Troil who was said to be connected to fairies and to have magical powers.
The next day, a ship was wrecked on the rocky coast. Mordaunt risked his life to rescue the ship's captain, Cleveland, who was clinging to a plank. Norna stopped someone from stealing Cleveland's belongings. Cleveland was actually a pirate, but no one knew this. He promised Mordaunt a trip on a ship he expected to arrive soon and went to ask Magnus Troil for help recovering other items that had washed ashore. After several weeks, however, the Troils stopped speaking to Cleveland, and Mordaunt learned that Cleveland was still staying with them and that they were planning a party for Saint John's Eve, but had not invited him.
Feeling upset, Mordaunt was approached by Norna, who assured him she wanted to help and suggested he attend the party without an invitation. His father had warned him about falling in love, and he was unsure how he would be received. He visited Hafra and joined Yellowley and his sister at the feast. Brenda and Minna Troil greeted him coldly, making him believe Cleveland had taken their favor. The bard Claud Halcro tried to comfort Mordaunt with poetry and stories about John Dryden. Later, Brenda, dressed as a masquer, told Mordaunt she had heard he spoke unkindly about them but did not believe it. She also said she feared Cleveland had won Minna's love and asked Mordaunt to learn more about the captain.
The next day, during an attempt to catch a whale, Cleveland saved Mordaunt from drowning. This freed Mordaunt from his obligation to Cleveland, and Cleveland announced they were now rivals. That evening, the pedlar told Mordaunt a strange ship had arrived at Kirkwall, and Cleveland talked about going there to see if it was the ship he had been waiting for.
After the sisters went to bed, Norna visited them and shared a surprising story from her past. This made Minna admit she loved Cleveland and revealed Brenda's feelings for Mordaunt. The next morning, Cleveland told Minna he was a pirate, and she said she could still love him if he was sorry for his actions. He announced he would leave for Kirkwall immediately but later sang to Minna. That night, Minna heard a struggle and saw a shadow disappearing with someone. She became very sad and ill, and the Udaller asked Norna for help. Norna predicted the problem would end when "crimson foot met crimson hand" in the Martyr's Aisle in Orkney, and she told Magnus Troil to take his daughters there.
Mordaunt had been stabbed by Cleveland but was taken to Hoy by Norna, who told him she was his mother. She healed his wound and brought him to Kirkwall. There, Cleveland had joined his companions and was chosen as captain of the ship. He got permission from the provost to collect supplies in Stromness and leave the islands, but he had to stay as a hostage for his crew's behavior.
On their journey, they captured the ship carrying the Troils. Minna and Brenda were safely sent ashore by John Bunce, Cleveland's lieutenant, and taken to visit a relative by old Halcro. The lovers met in the cathedral of St Magnus, where Norna helped Cleveland escape to his ship. The sisters were moved to the home of the bard's cousin, where their father joined them and found Mordaunt in charge of protecting them.
When everything was ready to sail, Cleveland decided to see Minna one last time and asked her to meet him at the Standing Stones of Stenness at dawn. Brenda convinced Mordaunt to let her sister keep the appointment. As the lovers said goodbye, they were captured by Bunce and his crew. Mordaunt rushed to save them and captured the pirate and his lieutenant. Norna had warned Cleveland not to delay his departure, and his hope faded when, from a window, he saw the ship Halcyon arrive, whose captain Norna had contacted. After a fierce fight, their ship was captured.
Mr. Mertoun then asked Norna to help save his son, explaining that Mordaunt was not his real son but Cleveland, who had been trained as a pirate under his real name, Vaughan, Norna's former lover. He had come to Jarlshof with his child from a Spanish wife to make amends for his past. It was discovered that Cleveland and Bunce had been forgiven for their good deeds during their pirate life and were allowed to join the king's service. Minna was comforted by a letter from Cleveland, Brenda married Mordaunt, and Norna, after overcoming her guilt over her father's death, gave up her magical ways and returned to her family name.
Chapter summary
Advertisement: The author of Waverley describes the history of the pirate John Gow, which forms the basis of the story.
Ch. 1: Before the story begins, the mysterious and sad man Basil Mertoun and his young son Mordaunt arrive in Zetland. Magnus Troil of Burgh Westra agrees to rent them the abandoned Jarlshof castle.
Ch. 2: Basil is tricked by the locals. He fires his housekeeper, Swertha, but after Mordaunt gives advice, she gets her job back. While Basil is in a bad mood, Mordaunt spends time with people in the area.
Ch. 3: Mordaunt seems unsure about which of the two Troil daughters, Minna or Brenda, he is more interested in.
Ch. 4: During a storm, Mordaunt returns to Jarlshof from Burgh Westra and finds shelter at Harfra (or Stourburgh) with Triptolemus Yellowley, a man from Yorkshire who works to improve farming, and his sister Barbara (Baby).
Ch. 5: The Yellowleys talk about their unexpected guest. They are joined by a traveling seller (Bruce Snailsfoot) and Norna of the Fitful-head.
Ch. 6: After the storm calms, Norna leaves Harfra, and Mordaunt prepares to continue his journey.
Ch. 7: Back at Jarlshof, Mordaunt saves a sailor from a shipwreck. Bruce, Norna, and some locals arrive at the scene.
Ch. 8: At the home of the parish constable, Niel Ronaldson, the sailor introduces himself as Captain Clement Cleveland and gives Mordaunt a Spanish fowling-piece. Mordaunt gives the sailor a letter of introduction to Magnus.
Ch. 9: A month later, Bryce sells Mordaunt materials for a waistcoat he plans to wear at a dance in Burgh Westra, even though he has not been invited.
Ch. 10: On a gloomy walk, Mordaunt meets Norna, who warns him that Cleveland, now living in Burgh Westra, is dangerous.
Ch. 11: On his way to Burgh Westra, Mordaunt joins Triptolemus and the Yellowleys, who plan to present their farming ideas to Magnus.
Ch. 12: At Burgh Westra, Mordaunt is greeted awkwardly by Magnus and his daughters. Claud Halcro, a local poet, makes light of the situation.
Ch. 1 (13): At dinner, Mordaunt notices Cleveland paying attention to Minna.
Ch. 2 (14): Before the dancing begins, Mordaunt is distracted by conversations with Halcro and Triptolemus.
Ch. 3 (15): Halcro entertains some guests, and Mordaunt watches the sword dance.
Ch. 4 (16): After a performance by dancers, Brenda, one of them, leads Mordaunt away and asks him to watch Cleveland. Mordaunt becomes interested in Brenda.
Ch. 5 (17): The next day, Cleveland saves Mordaunt during a whale hunt but refuses to accept thanks.
Ch. 6 (18): Bryce arrives with goods he claims came from Cleveland’s ship. Mordaunt and Cleveland argue over who has the right to buy a box and a chaplet.
Ch. 7 (19): Minna and Brenda, who are growing apart, have dreams. Norna interrupts their sleep and tells them she accidentally caused her father’s death, which he had wished would prevent her from marrying her lover instead of Magnus.
Ch. 8 (20): Minna and Brenda disagree about whether Mordaunt or Cleveland is better. Minna is in love with Cleveland.
Ch. 9 (21): Norna tells the fortunes of the people present.
Ch. 10 (22): While walking by the sea, Cleveland tells Minna he cannot be Mordaunt’s friend. He shares his story, and Minna is shocked by his harshness.
Ch. 11 (23): At night, Minna hears Cleveland singing a farewell song outside her window, followed by sounds of a struggle with Mordaunt.
Ch. 12 (24): Swertha tells Basil about his son’s disappearance. Basil searches for Mordaunt and consults Norna.
Ch. 13 (25): At Saint Ninian’s (or Ringan’s) church, Norna advises Basil to look for his son at the Kirkwall Fair.
Ch. 14 (26): Worried about Minna’s sadness, Magnus takes his daughters to consult Norna. On the way, he confirms her story, naming her lover as Vaughan and saying she had a child who disappeared and is likely dead.
Ch. 15 (27): Magnus and his daughter arrive at Norna’s home and are greeted by her dwarf servant, Pacolet.
Ch. 1 (28): Norna performs a magical ritual and gives Minna a leaden heart to wear as a symbol of hope.
Ch. 2 (29): Norna and Pacolet throw Magnus’s supplies into the sea. He and his daughters find shelter in a deserted hut.
Ch. 3 (30): Magnus and his daughters meet Halcro and Triptolemus in the hut. Triptolemus explains he is searching for coins found at Harfa, which were taken by Pacolet. Pacolet arrives with a letter from Norna, telling Magnus to take his daughters to the Kirkwall Fair.
Ch. 4 (31): Cleveland meets his lieutenant, John Bunce, in Kirkwall. He tells Bunce he plans to stop being a pirate and mentions that Mordaunt, who is injured, is being cared for by Norna.
Ch. 5 (32): Cleveland fights Bryce, who bought the captain’s clothes from Swertha. He is arrested but rescued by his pirates.
Ch. 6 (33): On the island of Hoy, Norna reveals to Mordaunt that she is his mother and asks him to marry Minna.
Ch. 7 (34): On a ship, pirates agree that Cleveland should temporarily lead them. He proposes to the Kirkwall Provost that they load supplies at Stromness to avoid a government ship, the Hispaniola, and offers to guarantee the pirates’ good behavior.
Ch.
Reception
Reviews of The Pirate varied greatly. One-third of the reviews were very positive. A smaller number were negative, and the rest gave average ratings. Norna was praised as a more excellent version of Meg Merrilees, and her poetry received high praise even from critics who generally disliked the book. The Yellowleys were described as new and enjoyable. Other popular characters included Bunce, Halcro (though some felt his role was too long), and the pirate crew. Characters who were very different from each other, such as Brenda and Minna, and Cleveland and Mordaunt, were also admired. Some critics disliked the reuse of characters from earlier books, while others noticed unique qualities in them.