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The Border Lord
Sentenced to death for conspiring against the king, Lord Bothwell escaped, trading a prison cell for the perilous life of an outlaw. With his enemies as dedicated to his destruction as he was to his vindication, the hunted nobleman hardly had time for the rituals of courtship. But he was determined to make the beautiful, sought-after Anne Galbraith his bride. The outlaw had chosen well. Fearless, steadfast and eager for adventure, Anne was the perfect companion for a life of intrigue and danger.
472 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1946
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 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 7, 2014
4 and ½ stars! A Classic set in 16th Century Scotland…and a Very Worthy Read
This is a wonderful story. First published in 1946, it can hold its own with today’s stories. It’s historical fiction, as Scotland’s history is very definitely a character, but there is also a romance here, a love story of a bold border lord and his lady. And it was refreshing that it developed in an unusual way. As historical fiction, it drew me in. The dialog was well done and realistic for the time period. As a romance, the story captured my heart but, alas, they were separated often (as they would have been true in history).
Set in Scotland in the late 16th century (1591-1593), this is the story of Francis Hepburn Earl of Bothwell (presumably based on Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell), a Border lord who fell out of favor with King James VI for his rebellious ways.
In a daring escape from Edinburgh Castle, where he’d been imprisoned on trumped up charges, Bothwell is freed and flaunts his freedom while impressing the daughter of a wealthy Scots nobleman, Anne Galbraith. Anne is a bit of a rebel herself and not above chasing after Bothwell on his latest escapades. Yet there are many other women who love him and one who isn’t above treachery to keep Anne from him. To me, Anne and Bothwell seemed perfect for each other. I loved Bothwell’s devil-may-care attitude and his wit, but he also had a gift with people and a knack for strategy that made him a compelling figure. The sad part was that King James couldn’t recognize the asset he had in Bothwell.
Westcott weaves in many historical events and real historical persons, which gave it an authenticity I loved. It was obviously well researched. There is plenty of action and adventure in this story, much of which really took place. And it is very well told. For those of you who like tales from old Scotland with a daring hero and a feisty heroine, and real history on every page, I recommend this one!
This is a wonderful story. First published in 1946, it can hold its own with today’s stories. It’s historical fiction, as Scotland’s history is very definitely a character, but there is also a romance here, a love story of a bold border lord and his lady. And it was refreshing that it developed in an unusual way. As historical fiction, it drew me in. The dialog was well done and realistic for the time period. As a romance, the story captured my heart but, alas, they were separated often (as they would have been true in history).
Set in Scotland in the late 16th century (1591-1593), this is the story of Francis Hepburn Earl of Bothwell (presumably based on Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell), a Border lord who fell out of favor with King James VI for his rebellious ways.
In a daring escape from Edinburgh Castle, where he’d been imprisoned on trumped up charges, Bothwell is freed and flaunts his freedom while impressing the daughter of a wealthy Scots nobleman, Anne Galbraith. Anne is a bit of a rebel herself and not above chasing after Bothwell on his latest escapades. Yet there are many other women who love him and one who isn’t above treachery to keep Anne from him. To me, Anne and Bothwell seemed perfect for each other. I loved Bothwell’s devil-may-care attitude and his wit, but he also had a gift with people and a knack for strategy that made him a compelling figure. The sad part was that King James couldn’t recognize the asset he had in Bothwell.
Westcott weaves in many historical events and real historical persons, which gave it an authenticity I loved. It was obviously well researched. There is plenty of action and adventure in this story, much of which really took place. And it is very well told. For those of you who like tales from old Scotland with a daring hero and a feisty heroine, and real history on every page, I recommend this one!
to-read-library-has
March 27, 2011Oh, those covers on these old books :D
December 22, 2014
Now I understand why well researched historical romances can be so popular. The Border Lord is a fast moving and gripping 16th Century Scottish story of the struggles of Francis Hepburn Earl of Bothwell after he falls out of favor with King James VI of Scotland. Bothwell escapes from a prison cell in Edinburgh Castle and we share in the excitement and dangers of his renegade life. We watch as his heart is moved by Anne of the golden hair who entertains this outlaw but then defies him. Stirring stuff indeed!
October 29, 2023
Having just finished reading book one of "Outlander," I began reading this book. The first 100 pages of this story were confusing; however, I pressed on hoping that the next 300 pages would be better.
And I was correct! The storyline took off!!
And I was correct! The storyline took off!!
May 8, 2026
I love historical books. Earl Bothwell was a real person but his wife in the book was total fiction. Couldn't he write about the real Lady Bothwell Margaret Douglas?
December 4, 2014
I read this book several times when I was a teenager, and loved how romantic it was. I inherited it years ago from my parents, and started reading it again as my father went on hospice a couple of weeks ago. It brought back so many good memories from my youth.
September 28, 2008
turned out to be a romance novel. The author forgets herself and rambles from time to time, but the fight scenes are interesting enough.
August 26, 2010
3.5 rating for this historical fiction about the Earl of Bothwell and his wife Anne.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews