"Kenilworth" is a historical novel by Walter Scott, published January 1821. It was published by Constable and Co. in collaboration with the London firm Hurst, Robinson, and Co., since the collaboration with Longman fell apart in October 1820.
"I pretend not to be a champion of that same naked virtue called truth, to the very outrance. I can consent that her charms be hidden with a veil, were it but for decency's sake." ― Walter Scott, Kenilworth
The history of the creation of this novel is mentioned in the book Life of Sir Walter Scott (1837-1838) by Scott biographer JG Lockhart. Once in the previous novel - "The Abbot" - the author tells about the fate of Mary Stuart, then the next book the publisher Archibald Constable proposed to dedicate the sworn political enemy of Mary Stuart - Queen Elizabeth I. The author accepted this proposal. In the introduction, Scott writes: "The present, or only apparent success, which the author achieved in describing the life of Queen Mary, naturally prompted him to make a similar attempt with respect to 'her sister and enemy', the glorified Elizabeth." The writer, however, did not take the hint to name the new book The Armada and build the plot around the Spanish invasion. Instead, he focused on the plot of the alleged assassination of Amy Robsart, the first wife of Earl Robert Dudley (a favorite of Elizabeth I).
Constable's letter has not survived. Presumably, it was received by Scott in late December 1819 — early January 1820. In mid-January, a contract was signed to write a new book, although the author was still working on The Monastery and had not even begun The Abbot (both published in 1820). However, Kenilworth was completed in December 1820.
In the foreword, Scott mentions that, as a young man, he was very fond of Mikla's ballad about Cumnor Hall Castle. He originally planned to call the book Cumnor Hall. Constable, who was instrumental in providing Scott with an extensive list of reference materials, suggested the name "Kenilworth" in honor of Kenilworth Castle, to which the writer agreed.
The title of the novel refers to Dudley's Kenilworth Castle in Kenilworth, Warwickshire. But the romance begins in en: Cumnor, near Abingdon in Oxfordshire.
The novel is set, apparently in 1575, and describes the secret marriage of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, and Amy Robsart, daughter of Sir Hugh Robsart. Events begin when Amy flees from her father and her fiancé, Tressilian, to marry the Count. Amy is passionate about her husband and the Count loves her, but he has career ambitions. He tries to win the favor of Elizabeth I and hopes to gain power by hiding his marriage to Amy. At the end of the book, to the Count's shame, the Queen finally reveals the truth. But the disclosure of his deception comes too late, as even more ambitious than his master, Earl Varney's servant has already killed Amy.
Kenilworth was well received by readers and critics. The columnist for The Edinburgh Review, for example, praised Elizabeth's portrayal, and The Quarterly called her a "flamboyant and gorgeous" character. However, as Scott feared, The Quarterly and Gentleman's Magazine found the ending too tragic.
Like Lohleven Castle after the publication of The Abbot, Kenilworth Castle has become a place of pilgrimage for tourists.
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