Scott in 2013: New Scholarship, Old Connections, and the Case of Rokeby

Summary of the Talk:

Fiona Robertson’s talk explored contemporary scholarship on Sir Walter Scott, particularly how his work is studied today and how Rokeby (1813) fits within his literary career. She examined the significance of Scott’s friendships, his connection to place, and how architectural and literary legacies intertwine. The talk was given in 2013, marking the bicentenary of Rokeby and coinciding with the reopening of Abbotsford House, Scott’s self-designed home.

1. The Changing Landscape of Scott Scholarship

Scott’s Historical Reputation:

• Early Scott studies focused heavily on place and personal connections—how his works were rooted in specific landscapes and friendships.
• The trend was established by Scott himself in the introductions to Marmion and other works.
• By 2013, there was a shift in Scott scholarship, integrating newer critical perspectives.

The Edinburgh Companion to Scott (2012):

• Edited by Robertson, this book captured modern perspectives on Scott.
• It reflected how Scott was being reassessed as both a Scottish and an international figure.
• The Companion covered neglected aspects of his work, including economics, material culture, and his role in shaping Romanticism.

New Trends in Scott Studies:

• Increased focus on material production, antiquarianism, and Scott’s role in the literary marketplace.
• Renewed interest in lesser-known works like Rokeby.
• Examination of Scott’s political economy and his views on religious fundamentalism and banking.
• Recognition of Scott’s sophistication as a writer, moving beyond past dismissals of him as simplistic.

2. The Case of Rokeby (1813)

A Neglected Poem:

• Rokeby is one of Scott’s least-discussed long poems.
• Its bicentenary was marked by an exhibition at the Bowes Museum (Rokeby: Poetry and Landscape), linking Scott’s poetry to J. M. W. Turner’s paintings.

Scott’s Connection to Rokeby Hall:

• The poem is deeply tied to Scott’s friendship with John Morritt, the owner of Rokeby Hall.
• Morritt was one of Scott’s closest friends and among the first to know Scott was the anonymous author of Waverley.
• Scott visited Rokeby Hall multiple times and admired its landscapes, which influenced the poem.

The Poem’s Structure and Themes:

• Set during the English Civil War, Rokeby follows a convoluted plot involving murder, lost heirs, and inheritance disputes.
• Unlike Scott’s Scottish romances, it is rooted in English history, which may explain why it did not resonate as strongly with the public.
• Thematically, it explores possession and dispossession—who owns land, history, and tradition.

Ties to Architecture:

• Scott was designing Abbotsford while writing Rokeby.
• He was fascinated by place-building—constructing literary and physical spaces.
• Rokeby erases the historical transition of the estate and replaces it with a fictional history, mirroring how Scott mythologized his own Abbotsford estate.

Literary and Cultural Impact:

• The poem helped popularize the landscapes of Teesdale, much like his Scottish works did for the Highlands.
• However, its lack of a strong national myth (compared to The Lady of the Lake or Marmion) made it less enduring in popular memory.

3. Scott’s Architectural and Literary Legacy

Abbotsford and Cultural Identity:

• Scott’s home, Abbotsford, was a “romance in stone”, reflecting his love for historical fiction and medieval aesthetics.
• Unlike Morritt’s Rokeby Hall (which remains privately owned), Abbotsford has undergone multiple transformations, now functioning as a public heritage site.

Reassessing Rokeby in 2013:

• Robertson argued that Rokeby remains underappreciated.
• It deserves attention for its historical setting, narrative complexity, and connection to Scott’s architectural imagination.
• The poem highlights Scott’s preoccupation with inheritance—both in estates and in literary tradition.

4. Key Takeaways

• Scott’s reputation is evolving, with modern scholarship acknowledging his depth and complexity.
• Rokeby is an important but overlooked work, showcasing Scott’s engagement with English history and personal friendships.
• Scott’s literary and architectural projects were intertwined, as seen in the connections between Rokeby and Abbotsford.
• Scott’s legacy is dynamic, with Abbotsford reinvented as a heritage site while Rokeby Hall remains a private residence. 

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