William Harrison Ainsworth: Rookwood

"Rookwood" is a novel by William Harrison Ainsworth published in 1834. It is a historical and gothic romance that describes a dispute over the legitimate claim for the inheritance of Rookwood Place and the Rookwood family name. The plot of the novel takes place in England, 1737. At a manor called Rookwood Place, there existed a legend claiming that a death would follow after a branch of an ancient tree would break. After a branch does fall from the tree, Piers Rookwood, the owner, dies. Luke Bradley soon discovers two things: that he is the son of Rookwood and that his mother was secretly married to him, thus making him a legitimate heir to the estate, something that Rookwood's widow and son Ralph won't stand for…