According to J. G. Lockhart Scott began Harold the Dauntless soon after completing The Bridal of Triermain, that is early in 1813, keeping it before him 'as a congenial plaything, to be taken up whenever the coach brought no proof-sheets to jog him as to serious matters'.
[8] Sending a copy hot from the press on 31 January 1817 he explains to Lady Louisa Stuart: 'I once thought I should have made it something clever, but it turned vapid upon my imagination; and I finished it at last with hurry and impatience'.
[9] Harold the Dauntless was published as 'by the author of The Bridal of Triermain ' on 30 January 1817 in Edinburgh by Archibald Constable, and in London by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown.
Canto 1: When the pagan Count Witikind converts to Christianity in return for Durham church lands his son Harold leaves home in disgust, followed by a page, Gunnar.
In the morning Harold tells the page that he has been rescued from three horsemen owing allegiance to Zernebock by the palmer figure, who is Witikind doomed to wander on the earth until his son turns to grace.
[12] Comparisons with The Bridal of Triermain and with Scott's acknowledged poems reached a variety of conclusions, with Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine occupying the middle ground: 'The poetry is more equal, and has more of nature and human character; yet when duly perused and reflected on, it scarcely leaves on the mind, perhaps, so distinct and powerful an impression'.