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The Hepburn
The adventures of a Scotch border-lord, Patrick Hepburn, during the reigns of Henry VII of England and James III of Scotland, who took what he wanted, for not even a king could give "The Hepburn" what he most desired, the love of Lady Jane Gordon.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1950
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About the author
Jan Westcott
32 books6 followersMaryann Josephine Vlachos was born in Philadelphia on February 23, 1912, daughter of Professor Nicholas and Mary Vlachos. Professor Vlachos, a native of Holland, was a distinguished classical and historical scholar and the author of Hellas and Hellenism. It was because of his influence that Maryann became a student of history. She had one brother who died in 1966.
She attended school in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania where she also attended Swarthmore College. While vacationing in Avalon, New Jersey she met and married Richard Westcott with whom she had two children: Richard and Michael. The marriage ended in divorce.
As a stay at home mom she dared herself to write historical fiction in a traditional romantic style. Working in the morning, when the children were at school, and then at night, when they were in bed, she authored her first novel Border Lord under pen name of Jan Westcott; the novel was published by Crown in 1947 and became a best seller. Jan Westcott eventually became a well-known historical novelist of eleven books. She researched the subject matter of her books assiduously. In 1969, Boston University created a Jan Westcott collection.
In Avalon she met Dr. Robert Barden, who was a prominent radiologist, and later married him in 1954. They lived and worked in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania with their combined family of two sons and four daughters. She loved to entertain and to have extended family converge on the home for joyous holidays. Family was important to her. Her interests over the years were many and diverse: music and the Philadelphia Orchestra, bridge, fishing, reading, gardening, travel, church, politics, and the real estate market. She was an expert surf caster and fisherman.
Jan Westcott passed away at the age of 99 years on October 29, 2011, at Cathedral Village in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she had resided for many years. While at Cathedral Village she wrote: "The mystery of death comes close as our years climb up ― around us is the unknown, the last step. Aware as we are of it, the present is vital and exciting and precious. Each day gives us the beauty of the earth, the lovely sound of the needed rain."
She attended school in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania where she also attended Swarthmore College. While vacationing in Avalon, New Jersey she met and married Richard Westcott with whom she had two children: Richard and Michael. The marriage ended in divorce.
As a stay at home mom she dared herself to write historical fiction in a traditional romantic style. Working in the morning, when the children were at school, and then at night, when they were in bed, she authored her first novel Border Lord under pen name of Jan Westcott; the novel was published by Crown in 1947 and became a best seller. Jan Westcott eventually became a well-known historical novelist of eleven books. She researched the subject matter of her books assiduously. In 1969, Boston University created a Jan Westcott collection.
In Avalon she met Dr. Robert Barden, who was a prominent radiologist, and later married him in 1954. They lived and worked in Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania with their combined family of two sons and four daughters. She loved to entertain and to have extended family converge on the home for joyous holidays. Family was important to her. Her interests over the years were many and diverse: music and the Philadelphia Orchestra, bridge, fishing, reading, gardening, travel, church, politics, and the real estate market. She was an expert surf caster and fisherman.
Jan Westcott passed away at the age of 99 years on October 29, 2011, at Cathedral Village in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she had resided for many years. While at Cathedral Village she wrote: "The mystery of death comes close as our years climb up ― around us is the unknown, the last step. Aware as we are of it, the present is vital and exciting and precious. Each day gives us the beauty of the earth, the lovely sound of the needed rain."
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 8, 2018
Great historical book
I first read this book when I was a teen. It inspired me to learn more about Scottish and English history. This story sticks to true facts. The Hepburn was a real person. The Gordon sisters existed, although the author changed their names from Janet and Katherine to Jane and Mary. The double contract really existed. Sir Matthew Craddock was real, as were the Drummond sisters. Every fact I checked was accurate. I developed a lifelong love of books that are based on true facts that do not alter them. I would recommend this book.
I first read this book when I was a teen. It inspired me to learn more about Scottish and English history. This story sticks to true facts. The Hepburn was a real person. The Gordon sisters existed, although the author changed their names from Janet and Katherine to Jane and Mary. The double contract really existed. Sir Matthew Craddock was real, as were the Drummond sisters. Every fact I checked was accurate. I developed a lifelong love of books that are based on true facts that do not alter them. I would recommend this book.
October 18, 2022
Always loved it
...and delighted to find it again. James IV is the best of Scottish kings and his doomed love affair with Maggie Drummond, even if only one of many, is touching. The Hepburns strides and bumbles appealingly and Matthew Craddock, the brains of the outfit, pulls everything together.
...and delighted to find it again. James IV is the best of Scottish kings and his doomed love affair with Maggie Drummond, even if only one of many, is touching. The Hepburns strides and bumbles appealingly and Matthew Craddock, the brains of the outfit, pulls everything together.
November 19, 2023
Loved the book. I could imagine being on the streets in Edinburgh. It was a time period of Scotland that I had not researched. The only problem was that it seemed like everything happened in a few years but actually took place over 10 years.
March 17, 2022
I've loved this book all my adult life!
It's a mostly true tale and I've checked it out online in the subsequent years since my first reading. It holds up.
Enjoy.
It's a mostly true tale and I've checked it out online in the subsequent years since my first reading. It holds up.
Enjoy.
April 17, 2024
My moms favorite book 🤪
January 20, 2026
The writing style was too hard for me to follow. Would have to keep rereading to figure out where I was at who was being talked about. Had to stop reading.
January 23, 2013
I was reminded of this book today and now want to reread it once more. It is a historical romance with some true events. Patrick Hepburn was a real person and did support King James IV in his uprising against his father, for instance. This was one of the first romances I read growing up and it remained a favourite, being reread many times.
April 6, 2014
A reasonable read but it confused me when trying to keep track of all the sisters and their husbands. Story placed during the reign of the Stuarts of Scotland and King Henry VII of England. The historical content seemed correct but the plot ambled here and there until the rather abrupt ending. The author was apparently well-regarded during her day (1940's-1950's).
February 3, 2008
This is supposed to be a classic romance novel but I just couldn't get into it and it hit the wall.
Back Cover Blurb:
Story of a Scottish King killed by rebels led by his own son. This story is the aftermath of the King's death and how the Hepburn deals with it.
Back Cover Blurb:
Story of a Scottish King killed by rebels led by his own son. This story is the aftermath of the King's death and how the Hepburn deals with it.
March 14, 2020
It was a great book. Recommended for women only. Men may enjoy it, but not likely.
May 9, 2014
Really good adventure story more than romance, with some historical inaccuracies but nonetheless a good old fashion historical romance.
August 10, 2014
Had trouble following the story and characters.
August 31, 2010
Historical fiction about Scottish hero Patrick Hepburn.
December 20, 2013
Jan Westport is an awesome historical romance writer. The history comes alive.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews