The Lay of the Last Minstrel

The Lay of the Last Minstrel is a narrative poem and was first published in 1805. It is considered Scott?s first major original work in this field. The story is related by an ancient minstrel, the last of his race, and is set in the mid-sixteenth century among the feuding families who lived along the borders of England and Scotland. According to the preface of 1886, this is the only correct edition in print anywhere. There is also an Author?s Preface of both the first edition and the edition of 1830. Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), began his career writing narrative poetry, and later re-launched his career as a novelist. Deriving most of his material from his native Scotland, its history and its legends, Scott invented and mastered what we know today as the historical novel.