The Real History Behind La donna del lago
La donna del lago is a rich story of love, loyalty, courage, and compassion — but did you know that it’s also rooted in real historical events?
La donna del lago takes its plot and name from Sir Walter Scott’s narrative poem, The Lady of the Lake. Scott is often considered to be one of the first writers of historical fiction, and many of his works focus on the real events that shaped his homeland.
The Lady of the Lake takes place in the 16th century, set amidst the tense power-struggle between King James V (father of Mary, Queen of Scots) and the Highland people, as well as the king’s feud with Clan Douglas. The initial idea for the story was inspired by mythology that surrounded James V, who was rumored to travel among his subjects in disguise.
Let’s dive into the fascinating history that surrounds this romantic tale.
Life in the Scottish Highlands
La donna del lago is set in the Scottish Highlands, which diverged from the Lowlands in the Late Middle Ages, when the Lowland Scots language replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands. On a map, the Highlands represent the north and west part of the country, divided by the Highland Boundary Fault. The 16th century in the Highlands is marked by social upheaval and political maneuvering. For the first time, the Scottish monarchy sought to exert more control over the Highlands, which had been traditionally governed by clans, who were more resistant to central authority. While clan feuds were common, most of them could agree on one thing: they didn’t want the Scottish monarchy in their business.
King James IV of Scotland, the father of James V, was a master of diplomacy, and made many clan allies by granting lands to nobles of his own choosing. Beyond the Highlands, James IV forged strong relationships with a number of other countries, but — despite marrying Margaret Tudor — Scotland and England had a rocky relationship. When England declared war on France, James IV upheld the Auld Alliance, and his brother-in-law, Henry VIII, declared war on the Scots, and James had no choice but to send an army into England. The armies met at Flodden, and James IV was killed, alongside 10,000 of his men.
And so James V became King of Scotland. He was just seventeen months old.
The captive king
Because James V was a toddler when he took the throne, his mother and other nobles battled for control of the regency. His mother, Queen Margaret, acted as his guardian until 1514, when she married Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus. Since she was the sister of Henry VII, there was an easy peace with England. However, when the Duke of Albany took over in 1515, the government switched gears and once again became loyal to France. When the duke sailed to France in 1524 to cement these diplomatic relations, Margaret seized the opportunity.
James’ stepfather, the Earl of Angus, became his guardian in 1525, and he exerted frightening control over the young king. James V was virtually held prisoner by Angus for three years until, at age sixteen, he escaped his clutches and claimed the throne. Angus was forced into exile, beginning a lifelong feud with the Douglas clan.
What does all this have to do with La donna del lago?
James V wanted to continue his father’s goal of authority over the Highlands, but his methods were different, and he imprisoned and executed several Highland chieftains. It would be scandalous enough for James V (disguised as Uberto) to fall in love, but Elena isn’t any old Highlands maiden. She is Elena Duglas (Ellen Douglas in English), the daughter of Duglas d'Angus (Douglas of Angus). While it’s unclear if Duglas is based entirely on Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus, the real exile and feud between the monarchy and Douglas clan is the driving force behind the conflict in Scott’s poem and Rossini’s opera.
This complex, brutal, fascinating time in Scottish history is the backdrop for La donna del lago.
You’ll have to join us June 28 and 30 to hear how the story unfolds!
