Flight of the Heron read-along: Part I chapters 1-2

[regshoe]

Hark! now the drums they beat again for all good soldiers, gentlemen...

Welcome back to the Flight of the Heron read-along! This week we read the first two proper chapters, and meet Keith Windham—and Keith meets Ewen Cameron.

As you'll have noticed, Broster is fond of including both Gaelic and Scots words in dialogue; this online Gaelic-English dictionary and this one for Scots may be of use if you'd like to look anything up.

Next week we will continue with chapters 3 and 4.

Comments

[regshoe]

Epigraph notes: The epigraph to Part I is from The Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides with Samuel Johnson, LL.D. by James Boswell; the quoted passage is from the entry for 3 November 1773.

So, Keith! We learn a lot about him in the space of these two chapters, and I'm sure you all already love him as much as I do :D I love how much characterisation we get here: proud, impatient, determined, brave, with a warm, 'passionate and impulsive' heart hidden under depths of protective cynicism after a tragic backstory. I especially like the line 'Bullets, however, did not discompose him like cowardice', a very nice bit of word choice and arrangement which conveys a lot about his character.

And of course I absolutely love Keith and Ewen's first meeting, and Keith's reaction to Ewen :D I won't quote all the amazing things Keith thinks about Ewen, but I will note the very funny contrast between Keith's immediate attraction to and admiration of Ewen, which only get stronger once he sees—as he very quickly does—how gentlemanlike and courteous Ewen is, and his insistence that Ewen is a barbarian. 'This disturbing exponent of Highland chivalry' is another favourite line; one gets the sense already that Ewen is 'disturbing' to Keith in several different ways. And of course Keith is very much a gentleman too: he may think Ewen is a barbarian, but even in chapter 2 he thinks it shameful rudeness to let Ewen see that he thinks so.

After last week, the contrast between the landscape descriptions in the prologue and in chapter 1 is very stark. But the actual descriptive prose is as beautifully written as ever (I do like the image of mountains like 'a procession of elephants'!), and if there's one thing I like more than lovely nature descriptions, it's lovely nature descriptions used thoughtfully with character perspectives to convey different characters' personalities and relationships with the places they describe.

And Keith's hatred of mountains, while it may seem slightly ludicrous to a modern reader, is very historically accurate! Before the Romantics made upland scenery fashionable, mountains as horrible and ugly seems to have been the general view amongst educated English people. Christopher Duffy in The '45 (a book highly recommended for anyone wanting to learn more about the 1745 Rising) attributes it to Enlightenment ideas about landscapes deriving beauty from usefulness and productivity rather than dramatic natural scenery.

The actual geographical detail in these two chapters is also great. It's possible to follow the entire sequence of events on a map, and work out roughly where Ardroy—the only fictional location here—is supposed to be, as I did in this post a while ago.

There's plenty of detailed historical accuracy too, of course. The incident of the ambush at High Bridge by 'eleven men and a piper!' really happened pretty much exactly as described, and Broster again slots Keith's presence in very neatly. Captain James Scott, Keith's senior, is historical; in real life the second captain was James Thomson, who was taken captive with the rest. Another interesting historical detail is the identity of Keith's stepfather, the Earl of Stowe. This—or at least Earl Temple of Stowe—is a real title, but one that wasn't created until the nineteenth century. Keith might be related to the Temple family of Stowe in Buckinghamshire, who got their title a bit earlier in this version of history, or his stepfather might derive his title from one of the various other places in England called Stowe. The Windhams are also a real family and important in the eighteenth century—several Windhams were Whig politicians and one of them was Comptroller to the Household of the Duke of Cumberland, so there's the background of Keith's allegiances.

One historical detail I've not come across in any of my researches is the story of the stream where Keith stops for a wash, in which 'seven gory severed heads' were washed 'less than a hundred years before'. Does anyone know what this is referring to?

And the heron has returned, with ominous significance...

[luzula]

Awwww, Keith! ♥ I love him so.

I think he's different from other Broster heroes especially in his sense of humor, also his exasperated professionalism. And then there's his backstory of being emotionally abandoned and neglected, and his consequent distrust of love, which of course makes him into fannish catnip because I just want to see someone break through that reserve and make him happy. That whole bit of Keith backstory and characterization at the beginning of Chapter 2 is great.

I love the balanced viewpoint of both sides of the war that we get, which is also different from other Broster novels: Ewen's unquestioning devotion to his Prince, and Keith's dismissal of "his absurd landing on Moidart". Also their very different experiences of the Highland landscape.

And then Keith and Ewen's first meeting, which is obviously perfect. ♥ I love how Ewen's chivalry, though it surprises and provokes Keith at first, then brings out his own as he willingly gives his parole. I also like how Ewen keeps surprising Keith out of his preconceived notions of Highlanders, and Ewen's delicacy at the end of chapter 2.

This bit: "I have given Mr. Cameron my parole of honour, and I assure you that even 'the Elector’s' officers observe that!" (For he believed so then.) is a chilly bit of foreshadowing, but for a historical event which I can't remember is directly mentioned in the book, or is it (the captured Hanoverian officers breaking parole en masse some time after the battle of Prestonpans)? But it works as more general foreshadowing of dastardliness, as well.

I love the introduction of Aunt Margaret--she has a great sense of humor, and I love that she isn't intimidated by Keith. Also she reads Henry Fielding, who I've read was an author condemned by strict moralists, which indicates that even though she's a devout Christian (which we see later) she has an open mind.

[luzula]

in real life the second captain was James Thomson, who was taken captive with the rest

Wasn't the second one Captain Sweetenham? I'm at my parents' place now, but I can check tomorrow. Anyway, IIRC, Keith's fate is a sort of amalgam of the two captains': Scott was taken to Achnacarry and his wounds dressed, etc, like Keith at Ardroy, but Sweetenham was taken along to Glenfinnan like Keith.

Oh, interesting about the actual Windhams, I hadn't dug so deep on them!

Here's the Well of the Seven Heads.

[regshoe]

Oh yes, I remember you telling me about Sweetenham! IIRC he was captured in a different incident while also marching for Fort William—in any case, yes, what happens to Keith is definitely a combination of the historical Sweetenham and Thomson.

Aaah, thank you for that link! A suitably gory tale.

[regshoe]

The other Broster hero who most reminds me of Keith is La Vireville in Sir Isumbras at the Ford, but I agree that Keith himself is unique!

Ewen's chivalry, though it surprises and provokes Keith at first, then brings out his own

Aww, yes, that's a good point <3 I love Keith's 'sudden spurt of good feeling' as he gives his parole, and his hand.

That 'For he believed so then' bit struck me too—I don't think the mass breaking of parole is ever mentioned afterwards, and it occurred to me that it would have worked far better as foreshadowing in your alternate history AU than it does here :D

I absolutely love the tiny bit of Aunt Margaret and Keith interacting that we get in chapter 2. That's very interesting about what reading Fielding might indicate about her, too. Perhaps I ought to read Joseph Andrews for some more context...

[osprey_archer]

Thank you for the link about the Well of the Seven Heads! I was wondering about that too when I read that bit.

[luzula]

Oh, and I forget: I hadn't heard the Martin Carthy version of that song! Lovely, and of course very appropriate for Keith...

[luzula]

Ah, you're right! Found this here: Gordon of Glenbucket, who brought with him Captain Sweetenham, an English officer of Guise's regiment, who had been taken prisoner by a party of Keppoch's men while on his way to Fort William to inspect that fortress.

[regshoe]

It is a good one! I did actually find a version which has the appropriate substitution of 'King George' for 'Queen Anne', but it also changes the rest of the lyrics in way I don't think works so well, and I didn't like the musical style so much either.

[sanguinity]

Well, that is a satisfyingly romantic and slashy beginning! Do tell us one more time, Keith, how splendidly made Ewen is! Make him clash swords with you! Swoon against the tree! He'll take you home and bind your hurts indeed. Ewen is a splendidly-made barbarian who knows French and Latin and has excellent manners -- can a mortal man be any more alluring??

Are we eventually told who the narrator is? I was very startled by the line suggesting that the (apparently omniscient) narrator is actually one of the Highlanders?

[sanguinity]

his consequent distrust of love, which of course makes him into fannish catnip

I laughed aloud when I got to that detail, because very much yes.

[regshoe]

:D :D :D and very much agree with your entire first paragraph! This book just may be a little bit of a perfect gift for slash fandom...

No, the narrator is just an omniscient narrator throughout—what was the line you mean?

[sanguinity]

Some leader called ‘Keppoch’, Captain Windham heard, had then called on the Royals to surrender, or they would be cut to pieces, and to save his men Captain Scott had done so. Immediately on this had come up Ewen Cameron’s chief, Lochiel (who had been asked for assistance), with a number of his clan, including the present narrator, had taken charge of the prisoners, and marched them off to his house of Achnacarry.

I realize now that "the present narrator" was possibly meant to be Ewen? None of that is quoted speech, so I took "the present narrator" to be the omniscient narrator.

[regshoe]

Ah, I see—yeah, I think the 'narrator' here does mean Ewen, because this is all a summary of what Ewen is telling Keith.

[hyarrowen]

Keith captured my heart at the procession of elephants, and never let go. I love his snark.

I went past the Well of the Seven Heads a few years ago. It's now on a busy 'A' road, and there's a pub (or tea room?) close by. Keith's whole route is full of traffic. :(

Quite by chance, I discovered last week that in the 1740s the head gardener of Stowe in Buckinghamshire was a certain Lancelot Brown. I used the Stowe on the Welsh Borders for the Earl's seat, but the idea of Keith interacting with Capability Brown, no less, is an intriguing one - and might explain his dissatisfaction with the Highland landscape! "Gently swelling hills one could admire..."

[hyarrowen]

I absolutely love the tiny bit of Aunt Margaret and Keith interacting that we get in chapter 2.

They both have quite the sense of humour. I like to think that in happier times, they'd get on very well.

[friendofthejabberwock]

I think I liked these couple of chapters even more than the prologue, honestly. Keith's continual bewilderment about Ewen just never got old. Keith just not knowing what to do with a not-so-barbaric "barbarian" was especially good during the surrender -- the combination of Keith trying to do things properly and at least going down with a fight and Ewen being exceedingly polite the entire time made for a very entertaining dynamic that also gave some more character detail.

And ooh, the heron! I feel badly for the poor horse but I was very excited to encounter it again. I'll be interested for Ewen's thoughts on that -- he certainly must have been shaken if he let it be that obvious to Keith.

That's so interesting about Keith's attitude towards the mountains! I chalked that up to his general disgust for all things Highland, but the land as beautiful because of its usefulness vs. inherent beauty makes a lot of sense. I always find those little differences in attitudes between past and present so interesting. I've been enjoying your historical notes -- while I'm not familiar enough with the period to catch the references while reading the book, I'm always happy to be reading a historical novel that fits in so well with history.

And last but certainly not least, I love that we got another reminder of how splendidly built Ewen is, and from Keith, no less.

[friendofthejabberwock]

Thank you so much for the link! I was really curious about what was behind that reference in the book.

[luzula]

Here's an actual 18th century Englishman opining about the Highlands: "an eye accustomed to flowery pastures and waving harvests is astonished and repelled by this wide extent of hopeless sterility," where the mountains, "always horrid to behold, looked positively diseased when the heather was in bloom."

Keith seems almost restrained by contrast!

[regshoe]

Oh wow, that is a nice historical coincidence! I very much like the look of Stowe House gardens, and have been meaning to go and visit them sometime—definitely some good context for what the eighteenth-century English thought a beautiful landscape looked like.

[regshoe]

Without spoilers, there is indeed a bit more drama over the heron to come in the next couple of chapters...

I always find those little differences in attitudes between past and present so interesting.

Yes, it's one of the most interesting things about good historical fiction—especially when specific historical attitudes inform the characters' motivations in plot-important ways that wouldn't work in a modern setting. Which is something I think Broster does very well!

I love that we got another reminder of how splendidly built Ewen is, and from Keith, no less.

:D

[luzula]

*loves on Keith's snark*

Re: traffic, yes, I suppose I'll need to do some adjusting when I eventually go and visit the Highlands...at least some of Wade's roads are still there, even if I suppose the ones down in the Great Glen probably have modern roads built on top of them.

Oh, interesting about the head gardener, I hadn't heard of him. *checks him out on Wikipedia*

[luzula]

it would have worked far better as foreshadowing in your alternate history AU than it does here :D

Ha ha, well, in my head all of canon up until Fassefern is still relevant for that AU, it's just that I didn't want to retell it!

I absolutely love the tiny bit of Aunt Margaret and Keith interacting that we get in chapter 2.

Me too! "I have that disability", ha.

Here's an excerpt from that book about sexual attitudes in the 18th century that I read a few months ago, comparing Samuel Richardson and Henry Fielding:

"From the beginning of his career, Fielding wrote his novels in conscious opposition to those of Richardson, explicitly repudiating his style, tone, and plots. In real life, too, the two authors belonged to markedly different sexual milieux. Richardson, the buttoned-up, barely educated, middle-class tradesman, surrounded himself with adoring, virtuous women, was proud of never even having met an unchaste one, and addressed himself at least as much to a female as a male audience. Fielding, by contrast, was an Etonian gentleman and lawyer, the son of a libertine, the near relation of powerful aristocrats and courtiers. As a young man, he lived the rakish, promiscuous existence of a West End playwright; in middle age, he impregnated (and ended up marrying) his maid; towards the end of his life, as a magistrate, he immersed himself daily in the sordid circumstances of bawdry and sexual trade. His was an upper-class, libertine, masculine world -reflected, his contemporary critics thought, in the character of his writing. Richardson himself, Samuel Johnson, and Charles Burney all deplored Fielding’s ‘loose life, and the profligacy of almost all his male characters. Who would venture to read one of his novels aloud to modest women? His novels are male amusements.’ It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the two writers have long been held up as moral opposites. At first sight, Fielding’s ethics do look quite different. On the surface, his work conveyed a worldly acceptance of male sexual freedom that enraged pious readers. It also featured sexually experienced women who were ardent, seductive, and dangerous to men. [...] Yet, for all his levity and bawdy banter, Fielding’s underlying attitudes towards lust and seduction were remarkably close to those of his great rival. He shared their culture’s basic presumptions that, in general, men pursued women; that female innocence was constantly under threat from masculine wiles; and that fallen women were the victims of libertine seducers."

[regshoe]

That book excerpt is very interesting indeed—I was going to say I really must read more eighteenth-century fiction, and I do want to, but actually, thinking of what I'm already reading, Mademoiselle de Richelieu is pretty interesting to consider in that context too. Anyway, thank you for sharing!

[hedgebird]

Keith: There is neither beauty nor love in the world, or at least the Highlands
Ewen: cool cool I'm just gonna wait over there. Being quietly decent and really, really, ridiculously good-looking
Horse: a sacrifice to Fate

Ah, enter my grouchy fave. I learned about the pre-Romantic view of mountains shortly before I first read FotH and it amused me no end to find it there. I think I also warm to Ewen, the Ideal Man, more in these chapters than in the prologue, because the admiration for his manifold good qualities feels like it's coming from Keith instead of directly from the omniscient narrator.

I really appreciate the map, and the historical commentary you guys are providing. It's not a period or place I know a lot about, so it's always interesting to learn what is and isn't factual.