Ivanhoe, Sir Walter Scott’s
classic tale of
chivalry and
romance is a delightful thrill with its timeless theme of love and heroism in the face of formidable odds. Set in feudal England at the end of the reign of King Richard the Lion-hearted as the proud Saxons groaned under the heel of their Norman conquerors, it depicts the heroism of its main protagonist, Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a Saxon knight who fought under the banner of that brave king. Banished by his father Cedric the Saxon on account of his love for his father's ward, the Lady Rowena, Wilfred has joined King Richard the Lion-hearted in the Crusade where he learns and excels in the art of
medieval combat. In his absence, his lands are awarded by Prince John, who has usurped the throne in the absence of his brother, to a trusted vassal. On his way home disguised as a
pilgrim from the Holy Land, Ivanhoe meets the party of the ruthless
knight Templar, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert and the Prior of Aymer who have sought shelter from the castle of Cedric. Cedric is excited upon hearing the pilgrim’s news about the triumphs of the Saxon knights against the Normans during a joust held in Palestine . This irritates the Templar who has been one of those defeated by the knight of Ivanhoe. Forthwith he issues a challenge to the Saxon knight to face him in the forthcoming tournament at Ashby, which the pilgrim and the Lady Rowena accepts on behalf of the “absent” Ivanhoe. Isaaac of York, a rich Jew whom Ivanhoe helped escape from being kidnapped, later supplies Ivanhoe with the horse and equipment needed for the tournament at Ashby. At the joust, the Norman challengers led by Bois-Guilbert seemed invincible, beating off all comers. Ivanhoe appears incognito – calling himself the Disinherited Knight - and challenges Bois-Guilbert in single combat. The Templar is thrown off his horse to the delight of the spectators. During the second day of the contest – the melee- Ivanhoe is ganged upon by the allies of the Templar, but a knight in black called the Black Sluggard comes to the rescue of the Disinherited Knight. Ivanhoe conquers Bois-Guilbert and is declared champion of the tournament. His identity is revealed, surprising Cedric. Wounded in the fray, Ivanhoe is carried off the field by Rebecca, daughter of Isaac, and is cared for by the Jewess maiden. A contest in archery among the land’s foremost bowmen, including the legendary outlaw Robin Hood is also held. The outlaw, disguised as a yeoman wins the prize by unbelievable feats of marksmanship. Bois-Guilbert’s cohorts kidnap Ivanhoe and Rebecca and imprison them in a castle. Bois-Guilbert falls passionately in love with the Jewess maiden, who rejects him. The Black Sluggard is joined by Robin Hood and his merry outlaws in laying siege to the castle. While the castle is being stormed by the rescuers, Brian Bois-Guilbert escapes with Rebecca. The Jewess is taken before the elders of Tempelstowe and accused of withcraft. Wanting to save her from the death sentence, Bois-Guilbert tells Rebecca to get herself a champion, expecting himself to be named as such, but Rebecca asks instead for Ivanhoe. Informed of her plea, Wilfred hastens to her rescue, and stands by Rebecca, not noticing how her voice, defiant against her inquisitors, tremored at the sight of her beloved protector. Exhausted, his wound not yet completely healed, does the brave Ivanhoe stand any chance against the cruel Templar? At the novel's end, the Jewess maiden comes to Rowena, bearing a gift as her token of thanks for Ivanhoe, and goes away to live a life in the service of the less fortunate among her people.
Because of its universal appeal, this classic has endured and remains a favorite among lovers of romantic adventure. Readers are riveted to Ivanhoe partly due to its stunning realism: Scott knows how to raise excitement at a fever pitch, not unlike a modern sportscaster fanning up a hype for a boxing superbout. The savagery of the jousts, replete with blood and spills, is felt by the spectators, heightening the dread and suspense, as the Knight of Ivanhoe contends with his powerful adversaries. His depiction of the villains, the reality of dangers faced by the combatants, the brutality of the age, result in empathy for the brave Ivanhoe, whose heart-stopping exploits in the jousting arena does not fail to thrill even the most skeptical reader. Throughout the book, the reader is treated to a feast of adventure, romance, betrayal, drama, and human passion. The unrequited love of the Jewess maiden, the wit of Wamba the jester, the fierce loyalty of Gurth the swine herder, the bull-headedness of Cedric the Saxon, Prince John’s cowardice, King Richard’s gallantry and heroism: all these and more make for a compelling reading, leaving one breathless and intoxicated with the age of chivalry.
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