![Book Cover of Quentin Durward](/image/book/quentin-durward.webp)
Quentin Durward
'Quentin Durward' Summary
The story takes place in the year 1468. The age of feudalism and chivalry was passing away, and the King of France was inciting the wealthy citizens of Flanders against his own rebellious vassal the Duke of Burgundy. Quentin Durward had come to Tours, where his uncle was one of the Scottish body guard maintained by Louis XI, to seek military service, and was invited by the king, disguised as a merchant, to breakfast at the inn, and supplied by him with money. Having narrowly escaped being hanged by the provost-marshal for cutting down Zamet, whom he found suspended from a tree, he was enlisted by Lord Crawford, and learned the history of Jacqueline. In the presence-chamber he was recognised by Louis, and the royal party were preparing for a hunting excursion, when the Count of Crèvecœur arrived with a peremptory demand for the instant surrender of the duke's ward, the Countess of Croye, who had fled from Burgundy with her aunt to escape a forced marriage; and proclaimed that his master renounced his allegiance to the crown of France. In the chase which followed Durward saved the king's life from a boar, for which service Louis, after consulting with his barber, entrusted him with the duty of conducting the Countess and Lady Hameline, ostensibly to the protection of the Bishop of Liege, but really that they might fall into the hands of William de la Marck. After proceeding some distance they were overtaken by Dunois and the Duke of Orléans, who would have seized the countess, but were prevented by Lord Crawford, who arrived in pursuit and made prisoners of them. Then Hayraddin came riding after them, and under his guidance they journeyed for nearly a week, when Quentin discovered that the Bohemian was in league with De la Marck. He accordingly altered their route, and they reached the bishop's castle in safety.
A few days afterwards, however, it was assaulted by the citizens, and Hayraddin having effected Lady Hameline's escape with Marthon, Quentin rushed back to save the countess, and, at Gieslaer's suggestion, Pavilion passed them as his daughter and her sweetheart into the great hall where the outlaw, who was known as the Boar of Ardennes, was feasting with the rioters. The bishop, who was also governor of the city, was then dragged in, and, having denounced his captor, was murdered by a stroke of Nikkel Blok's cleaver. There was a shout for vengeance, but De la Marck summoned his soldiers, upon which Quentin held a dirk at the throat of his son Carl, and exhorted the citizens to return to their homes. With the syndic's help Lady Isabella and her protector reached Charleroi, where she was placed in a convent, while he carried the news to the Duke of Burgundy, at whose court Louis, with a small retinue, was a guest. Charles, in a furious rage, accused the king of being privy to the sacrilege, and caused him to be treated as a prisoner.
At a council the following day he was charged with abetting rebellion among the vassals of Burgundy, and the countess was brought as a witness against him. She admitted her fault, and Quentin Durward was being questioned respecting his escort of her, when a herald arrived with a demand from De la Marck to be acknowledged as Prince-Bishop of Liège, and for the release of his ally the King of France. Louis replied that he intended to gibbet the murderer, and the messenger, who was discovered to be Hayraddin, was sentenced to death, the quarrel between the duke and the king being at the same time adjusted, on the understanding that the Duke of Orléans should marry Lady Isabelle. Crèvecœur, however, interceded for her, and it was arranged that whoever should bring the head of the Boar of Ardennes might claim her hand. Quentin, who had learnt his plans from the Bohemian, advanced with the allied troops of France and Burgundy against his stronghold, and a desperate battle ensued. At length the young Scot was in the act of closing with De la Marck, when Pavilion's daughter implored his protection from a French soldier; and, while placing her in safety, his uncle La Balafré fought the ruffian, and carried his head to the royal presence. Lord Crawford declared him to be of gentle birth, but the old soldier having resigned his pretensions to his nephew, King Louis vouched for Quentin's services and prudence, and the duke being satisfied as to his descent, remarked that it only remained to inquire what were the fair lady's sentiments towards the young emigrant in search of honourable adventure, who, by his sense, firmness and gallantry, thus became the fortunate possessor of wealth, rank and beauty.
Book Details
Author
![Sir Walter Scott image](/thumbs/image/author/sir-walter-scott.webp)
Sir Walter Scott
Scotland
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, poet, playwright, and historian. Many of his works remain classics of both English-language literature and Scottish literature. F...
More on Sir Walter ScottDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
![The Night Club Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-night-clubs.webp)
The Night Club by Herbert George Jenkins
It follows the adventures of a young man named Jimmy Pitt, who finds himself embroiled in a series of hilarious misadventures when he is mistaken for...
![The Lady's Museum, Volume 1 Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-ladys-museum-volume-1.webp)
The Lady's Museum, Volume 1 by Charlotte Lennox
Step into the world of 18th-century England, where the genteel veneer of society hides a myriad of passions and complexities. In "The Lady's Museum, V...
![Adventures of Bindle Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/adventures-of-bindle.webp)
Adventures of Bindle by Herbert George Jenkins
Jenkins' most popular fictional creation was Mr. Joseph Bindle, who first appeared in a humorous novel in 1916 and in a number of sequels. In the pref...
![A Fighting Man of Mars Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/a-fighting-man-of-mars.webp)
A Fighting Man of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
In the heart-pounding world of Barsoom, a planet filled with mystery and danger, lies the captivating tale of "A Fighting Man of Mars" by Edgar Rice B...
![Kilo: Being the Love Story of Eliph' Hewlitt, Book Agent Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/kilo-being-the-love-story-of-eliph-hewlitt-book-agent.webp)
Kilo: Being the Love Story of Eliph' Hewlitt, Book Agent by Ellis Parker Butler
It is a romantic comedy that offers a lighthearted and entertaining read. The novel takes readers on a journey through the small towns and villages of...
![The Price of Love Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-price-of-love.webp)
The Price of Love by Arnold Bennett
Rachel Louise Fleckring works for the elderly Mrs Maldon, and although with the woman for only a short time, she is taken into the heart of the family...
![The Golden Bowl Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-golden-bowl.webp)
The Golden Bowl by Henry James
The Golden Bowl is a 1904 novel by Henry James. Set in England, this complex, intense study of marriage and adultery completes what some critics have...
![The Widow Married: A Sequel to The Widow Barnaby Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/the-widow-married-a-sequel-to-the-widow-barnaby.webp)
The Widow Married: A Sequel to The Widow Barnaby by Frances Trollope
What if the widow Barnaby found love again, despite all the obstacles in her way? The Widow Married: A Sequel to The Widow Barnaby is a charming and...
![Lay Down Your Arms: The Autobiography of Martha von Tilling Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/lay-down-your-arms-the-autobiography-of-martha-von-tilling.webp)
Lay Down Your Arms: The Autobiography of Martha von Tilling by Bertha von Suttner
The book Die Waffen nieder! (Down with Weapons!) or Lay Down Your Arms! is the best-known novel by the author and peace activist Bertha von Suttner, w...
![A Woman's Life Cover image](/thumbs/image/book/a-womans-life.webp)
A Woman's Life by Guy de Maupassant
A Woman's Life is a captivating novel by Guy de Maupassant that chronicles the life of Jeanne, a young woman born into a wealthy Norman family. From h...
Reviews for Quentin Durward
No reviews posted or approved, yet...