Ivanhoe

by Sir Walter Scott Book 10 in the Waverley Novels series.

First published 1819

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Wilfred of Ivanhoe returns secretly to England in 1194 after fighting beside Richard I on the Third Crusade. He has been disinherited by his Saxon father Cedric for serving the Norman king and loving Rowena, whom Cedric intends to marry into a restored Saxon line. At the tournament of Ashby, Ivanhoe and the disguised Richard confront the knights supporting Prince John’s attempt to consolidate power during his brother’s absence.

Ivanhoe’s wounds place him in the care of Rebecca, daughter of the Jewish financier Isaac of York, before their party is captured by Norman barons. The rescue of Torquilstone leads to a second crisis when the Templars accuse Rebecca of witchcraft and demand trial by combat. The novel combines dynastic intrigue, chivalric adventure and the legend of Robin Hood while sharply contrasting the honours claimed by Christian knighthood with the persecution faced by its Jewish characters.