The Flight of the Heron facts for kids
Second US edition (Coward McCann, 1930)
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| Author | D. K. Broster |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Historical novel |
| Publisher | William Heinemann Ltd. |
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Publication date
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1925 |
| Pages | 408 (first edition, hardback) |
| OCLC | 32281295 |
The Flight of the Heron is an exciting historical novel written by British author D. K. Broster. It was first published in 1925. The story takes place in Scotland during the Jacobite rising of 1745.
The book is about the growing friendship between two young men. They are on opposite sides of the conflict. Ewen Cameron is a Highland leader and a Jacobite. Keith Windham is an English officer in the Government army. This novel is the most famous of Broster's books. It has been printed many times and adapted for radio, TV, and stage. Broster also wrote two sequels: The Gleam in the North (1927) and The Dark Mile (1929). These three books are sometimes called 'The Jacobite Trilogy'.
Contents
The Story Behind the Book
D. K. Broster usually wrote novels set during the French Revolution. But she was inspired to write about the 1745 Jacobite Rising after visiting the Scottish Highlands. She felt deeply connected to the place. She said the story came to her almost by itself.
Another book that influenced her was Flemington (1911) by Violet Jacob. That novel also showed a strong bond between two men on opposing sides of the 1745 rising. Broster dedicated The Flight of the Heron to Violet Jacob.
What Happens in the Story
The story begins in July 1745. Ewen Cameron is a young Highland leader and a strong Jacobite. He learns that Prince Charles Edward Stuart has arrived in Scotland. Ewen's foster-father has the 'second sight'. He predicts that Ewen will soon meet a man whose future is linked to his. A heron will bring them together.
Keith Windham is a captain in the Royal Scots. He is leading new soldiers when Jacobites attack them. Keith rides back alone for help. But his horse gets scared by a heron flying away and breaks its leg. Keith continues on foot. He then meets Ewen, who takes him prisoner.
Keith stays as a prisoner for a week at Ewen's home, Ardroy. He also spends time with the Jacobite army. Keith usually doesn't trust close friendships. He also thinks Highlanders are wild. But he is impressed by Ewen's kind manners and good looks. He finds himself liking Ewen more and more. They are separated when Keith escapes.
After the battle of Prestonpans (1745), Ewen goes with Charles Edward on a secret trip in Edinburgh. Keith leads soldiers who follow them, trying to capture Charles. Charles escapes, but Ewen is trapped. However, more Cameron soldiers arrive, and Keith's men run away. Ewen feels sympathy for Keith and lets him escape.
The Jacobites try to invade England but fail. Ewen then meets his fiancée, Alison Grant, in Inverness. They quickly get married before Alison leaves for France. Ewen is badly hurt at the battle of Culloden (1746). His foster-brothers, Neil and Lachlan MacMartin, carry him to a small hut in the mountains.
Soldiers find Ewen there and kill Neil. But Ewen is saved when Keith arrives. Keith jumps in front of the soldiers' guns to protect Ewen. Keith convinces the officer, Major Guthrie, to spare Ewen's life. He says Ewen might have important information about his relative, Lochiel. Later, Keith returns to care for Ewen's injuries and bring him food.
Guthrie takes Ewen as a prisoner to Fort Augustus. There, Ewen is threatened with torture. He accidentally reveals information about Lochiel's location while talking in his sleep. Keith hears about Ewen's harsh treatment. He is horrified and returns to Fort Augustus.
Keith finds Ewen very upset. Ewen feels he betrayed Lochiel and that Keith betrayed him. Keith explains that he never meant for Ewen to betray Lochiel. He also says he is shocked by how Ewen was treated. They make up. Ewen, still a prisoner, later learns that Lochiel was not captured.
Meanwhile, the Duke of Cumberland asks Keith to speak against Ewen at his trial for treason. Keith refuses angrily. This makes the Duke very upset, and Keith almost ruins his career. Later, Keith visits Ewen again. They are now close friends. Ewen thanks Keith for his help. Keith realizes that his friendship with the honorable Ewen is truly valuable.
Ewen escapes and returns to Ardroy. His cousin Archibald and Aunt Margaret convince Ewen to go to France for safety and join Alison. Meanwhile, Keith is patrolling the coast to stop Charles Edward from escaping. At Morar, he finds Ewen. Keith faces a difficult choice: his duty to capture an important Jacobite, or his wish to let his friend Ewen escape.
Before Keith can decide, Lachlan attacks and stabs him. Lachlan still believes Keith betrayed Ewen and wants revenge. Ewen finds Keith. They meet one last time before Keith dies from his wound. They promise to be friends 'always'. Ewen escapes to France, where he reunites with Alison, but he still grieves Keith's death.
Main Characters in the Book
Many characters in the novel are based on real people from history.
- Ewen Cameron of Ardroy: A Highland leader and a fictional cousin of Lochiel.
- Keith Windham: An English officer whose life becomes linked with Ewen's.
- Alison Grant: Ewen’s fiancée.
- Margaret Cameron: Ewen’s aunt who raised him.
- Donald Cameron of Lochiel: The real Chief of Clan Cameron.
- Dr. Archie Cameron: Lochiel's brother.
- Lachlan MacMartin: Ewen's foster brother.
- Neil MacMartin: Ewen's foster brother.
- Angus MacMartin: A seer and Ewen's foster father.
- Bonnie Prince Charlie: The leader of the Jacobite Rising.
- The Duke of Cumberland: A British military leader.
Key Ideas in the Story
The Flight of the Heron explores important ideas, just like many of Broster's other books.
- Conflicting Loyalties: The story shows how duty, personal honor, and love can pull people in different directions. This happens during big historical events.
- Different Viewpoints: Broster mostly supports the Jacobites. But she uses Ewen and Keith's perspectives to show both Jacobite and Hanoverian views of the 1745 rising. This helps readers understand how the conflict affected everyone involved.
- Male Friendship: A very important idea is the growing friendship between men who are supposed to be enemies. This theme is also found in other books by Broster.
Book to Screen and Stage
The Flight of the Heron has been adapted into different forms over the years.
- Radio:
- A six-part radio version was broadcast by the BBC Home Service in 1944. It starred Gordon Jackson as Ewen.
- Another radio play aired on BBC’s Children’s Hour in 1959.
- An eight-part radio drama was produced for BBC Radio 4 in 1968.
- Television:
- An eight-part TV series was made by Scottish Television in 1968. It starred Ian McCulloch as Ewen.
- A second TV adaptation was shown on BBC Scotland in 1976. It starred David Rintoul as Ewen.
- Stage:
- The novel was adapted for the stage in 1997 by Turtle Key Arts. This play included traditional Gaelic songs and new music.
