The Green Carnation The Green Carnation The Green Carnation, first published anonymously in 1894, was a scandalous novel by Robert Hichens whose lead characters are closely based on Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas – also known as "Bosie", whom the author personally knew. It was an instant "succès de scandale" on both sides of the Atlantic. The reviewer for "The Observer" wrote, ""The Green Carnation" will be read and discussed by everyone... nothing so impudent, so bold, or so delicious has been printed these many years." The book features the characters of "Esmé Amarinth" (Wilde), and "Lord Reginald (Reggie) Hastings" (Douglas). The
William Douglas, Lord of Liddesdale is that the Lord of Douglas had discovered his godson’s treacherous plan, which he sought to prevent. For this, however, there is no evidence. The last theory is that the Lord of Douglas was furious that Liddesdale had given away the lands that he (the Lord Douglas) had desired, and indeed he did eventually claim them as his own. On 8 October 1354 the English king seized Hermitage Castle, but returned it to Elizabeth, the widow of the Knight, after she swore fealty to him and agreed to allow an English garrison to be kept there. He further promised to