Walter Scott 
Fortunes of Nigel 

Scottish lord Nigel Olifaunt is more than a little naive. So when he arrives in London, he’s soon sucked into the chaos of the big city. Pinballing between a lively cast of petty criminals, Templers, and loan sharks, Nigel has to keep his eyes on the ultimate prize: an audience with King James I. Set in the period following the Union of the Crowns, "The Fortunes of Nigel" takes us into the heart of 17th century London-a sometimes lawless metropolis brimming with possibility. It’s an intricate tale that transports you back in time. And its many larger-than-life characters are catnip for fans of Dickens. –