Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Old Mortality
novel by Scott
Old Mortality, novel by Sir Walter Scott, published in 1816 and a masterpiece in the genre of historical romance. The story takes place in Scotland in 1679 during a time of political turmoil, when the dissenting Covenanters were up in arms against the English King Charles II. The main character, Henry Morton, is a moderate who is compelled to support the Covenanters when he learns that some of his relatives are among the dissenters. Representing Scott’s own ambiguous feelings toward his native Scotland, Morton is essentially a peacemaker, and his marriage to the granddaughter of a Royalist at the end of the novel symbolizes the hope for a union between the two countries.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Kathleen Kuiper.
Discover how ordinary objects work, and expand your understanding of the familiar.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
By clicking "Sign Up", you consent to the Britannica Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.