This Scottish historical novel takes place from 1547 until 1560, years during which the Scottish struggled for Protestant independence. Magdalen Hepburn is a knight's daughter, newly returned from a convent to the ancient family tower in the Lammermuirs.
When the 16-year-old Lady Maidlin (as she is called) overhears that there is a warrant for the arrest of "heretics" John Knox and her kinsman Sir Philip, she steals out at night to alert them. Further adventures follow, including a love story.
This early novel is not in the style of most Oliphant novels - in fact it is somewhat reminiscent of Sir Walter Scott (with a feminine point of view).
It moves very slowly, but does provide interesting detail of what life was like during that period.
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