"Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor" is a novel by Richard Doddridge Blackmore,
published in 1869, set on Exmoor
in Devon and somerset, England during the late 17th century.
John Ridd is the son of a respectable farmer who was murdered in cold blood by a member of the notorious Doone clan. This clan, now living in the isolated Doone Valley, is once a noble clan. Raging with desire for revenge in his heart, John grows into a respectable farmer. He continues to take good care of his mother and two sisters. However, he falls in love with Lorna, who he meets by accident. She turns out to be the granddaughter of Sir Ensor Doone, the lord of the Doones. Lorna has also been arranged to marry the
Carver Doone, the menacing heir of the Doone Valley. Carver is determined to marry Lorna at any cost and will let nothing get in the way of this marriage, especially when Sir Ensor dies and he gets his inheritance.
When Sir Ensor dies, Carver becomes the lord of the Doones. John Ridd helps Lorna escape to his family's farm. The trouble is that since Lorna is a member of the despised Doone clan, feelings are mixed toward her in the Ridd household. Despite this, she is still defended against Carver's retaliatory attack on Ridd's farm. A member of the Ridd household notices Lorna's necklace, a jewel that she was told by Sir Ensor belonged to her mother. On investigation, the necklace is revealed to be owned by a Lady Dugal, who was robbed and murdered in her carriage by a band of outlaws. Only her daughter had survived the attack. Evidently being the long-lost girl in question, it becomes apparent that Lorna is in fact heiress to one of the largest fortunes in the country. Against her will but as required by law, she returns to London to become a ward of the King.
King Charles II dies. The Duke of Monmouth, the late King's illegitimate son, challenges Charles's brother, James, for the accession to the throne. Meantime, the Doones, abandoning their plan to marry Lorna to Carver, side with Monmouth in the hope of reclaiming their ancestral lands for their services. Monmouth is defeated at the Battle of Sedgemoor, and all his associates are sought for treason. During the revolution, John Ridd is captured. Innocent of all charges, an old friend takes him to London to clear his name. There, he is reunited with Lorna, now Lorna Dugal, whose love for him has remained. When he thwarts an attack on the patriarch of Lorna's new family, John is granted a pardon and a title by the King. He returns to Exmoor a free man.
Meantime, the Doones continue their depredations especially on the lands. John Ridd leads the attack on their land. Most of the Doone men are killed, but Carver Doone escapes. After Lorna is granted her freedom to return to Exmoor and marry John, Carver bursts into the church during their wedding. He shoots Lorna and flees. Distraught and enraged, John pursues and confronts Carver. A struggle ensues in which Carver is left sinking in quicksand. John in his kind heartedness and better judgment tries to save Carver, but he still dies. John returns to discover that Lorna is alive. She heals, and the couple lives happily ever after.