Woodstock opens in farce, yet it is one of Scott's darkest novels. It deals with revolution, to Scott the most disturbing of all subjects: "it appears that every step we made towards liberty has but brought us in view of more terrific perils." Written during the financial crisis that culminated in his insolvency, the novel, Scott feared, "would not stand the test." Yet it is a major source of interest: in the superb portrait of Cromwell it is tempting to see Scott's own self torturing as he contemplated his ruin.