While in the process of writing his fourth major historical poem Rokeby in the autumn of 1812, Walter Scott set about developing a short poem he had published in the Edinburgh Annual Review in 1809. The short piece, titled ‘The Vision of Triermain’ was written in imitation of his own style and Scott decided to extend it and to publish it anonymously in order to test the critical reception. The final poem, published under the title The Bridal of Triermain, or the Vale of St John was a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story and saw the gallant knight, Sir Roland de Vaux of Triermain, travel to an enchanted castle in St John’s in the Vale in Cumberland to awaken Gyneth, an illegitimate daughter of King Arthur, from a 500-year slumber placed upon her by Merlin.
On its printing in March 1813, critics were generally approving of the piece although most regarded the final canto to be rather predictable. The warm reception may have influenced Scott’s decision to publish anonymously his first novel Waverley, or ‘tis sixty years since the following year.