Robert Collins

English

Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe
By: Sir Walter Scott
Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe is a man of great bravery and many positive character traits

that will cause any reader to sympathize with him. His selflessness is one of

the things that separate him from the other characters in the book. He is

willing to lay down his own life for one he does not know well and asks for

nothing in return. After his battles he decides not to take the possessions of

the men whom he has defeated; he only wishes to be accepted by the father

who disinherited him.

Ivanhoe falls in love with the fair maiden Rowena and his father Cedric

disinherits him when Ivanhoe sets off on the crusade with King Richard the

Lion-Hearted against Cedric’swishes. Ivanhoe returns from the crusade and

disguises himself to get into the castle. His plan is to win the tournament

that is being presented by the evil Prince John. He confides in and is assisted

by an old merchant who provides him with a suit of armor and weapons.

Throughout the tournament Ivanhoe keeps his true identity a secret and

rides under the alias “The Disinherited Knight.”

Ivanhoe is a character who takes great measures to regain his father’s

trust and acknowledgement. His father’s opinion is of great importance to

him. Only the love of his lady Rowena takes a greater place in his quest to

redeem himself. Sir Walter Scott did an excellent job of presenting Ivanhoe’s

plight in such a way as to get the sympathy of any reader.

Cedric

Cedric is a man of great influence among the Saxons. Ivanhoe is his

adventurous son whom he has disinherited. Lady Rowena comesto his court

and has become like a daughter to him and he treats her as such. His love

for Ivanhoe has been covered with a veil of anger but when he discovers that

the gallant man who has been severely wounded was his own son that love

is removed from beneath the veil and he soon claims his son once more.

Though Cedric had been harsh in the past; by the end of the story he seems

much more accepting and kind.

Prince John

Prince John is an evil, power hungry, man who will stop at nothing to

get what he wants. Even plotting the demise of his own brother is not

beneath him. He falsely accuses those who don’t have enough power to

challenge his authority. He does not expect his brother to return from his

crusade and so reigns tyrannically, taking what he pleases and ignoring the

protests of his people. John only cares about one person, himself, and he

plans to make sure everyone knows who is in charge.

Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert

Sir Brian is a self centered Templar knight and a follower of Prince John.

He wants to kill Ivanhoe but Ivanhoe defeats him twice and still allows him to
live. Now he is torn between his love for the lady Rebecca and his loyalties

to the king and his Templar vows. Rebecca has rejected him but he doesn’t

seem to get the hint and continues to pursue her despite her repeated

rejections. He finally faces Ivanhoe for the condemnation of Rebecca for

being a witch and dies of a heart attack in the very beginning of the battle

because of his fear and guilt.

Gurth

Gurth is a servant in the house of Cedric and is devotedly loyal to

Ivanhoe even to the point of risking his life to become his squire. He does

much work as a servant for the old merchant who is assisting Ivanhoe in

order to buy his ownfreedom and become Ivanhoe’s true squire. Gurth

follows Ivanhoe wherever he goes and is willing to help in any way that he

can even if it requires risking life and limb to complete his task.

King Richard

King Richard, often called “the Lion-Hearted”, was betrayed by his evil

brother Prince John and was a prisoner of the French for many years, but he

has returned. He disguises himself in black armor and rides to the aid of

Ivanhoe in a situation where he was greatly outnumbered. He also defeats

the knights of John when they kidnap Ivanhoe and several others. His

bravery has always been world renowned and it earnshim his title of Lion-

Hearted. He is also known for his just and merciful qualities and he spares

John who has so wronged him by taking Richard’s rightful place as ruler.

Greed
 Greed is one of the greatest weaknesses with which man is cursed.

Greed tears families, friends, communities, and nations from the greatness

that they could have achieved. Greed is a terrible thing and it will corrupt

anything it touches. Many great nations and empires have fallen because of

the greed of its leaders. Greed leads to lying, cheating, stealing, and in

extreme cases could lead to the killing of a person to further the gain of the

greedy one.

Many great men have fallen and faded away because of their greed for

money, power, or fame. Greed is like a disease that starts off small and

grows with time. If it goes without treatment or repentance it will quickly

consume the host and may spread to those associated with the host. They

say that the love of money (or greed) is the root of all evil and that is shown

to be so true.

Power

In Star Wars III Revenge of the SithPalpatine says “All who gain power

are afraid to lose it.” That is so true. Prince John plotted against his brother

to get the crown, but he constantly livedin fear of the return of Richard

because that would result in the loss of his power. This fear has consumed

him along with his greed and he becomes weak at the thought of his brother

returning to claim his crown.

Power should be used to help and assist those who do not have such

power. Power gained in a way that means taking from those who have little

power is often abused and gains the holder of that power only fear, guilt, and
a distrust of anyone and everyone. Power is a delicate matter and must be

in the hands of the proper person who can use that power to create, not

destroy.

Mercy

Mercy is exercised by many of the characters throughout the book.

Mercy is a great gift that God Himself has given to His childrenthrough Jesus

on the cross. Without mercy mankind would not exist. Mercy is necessary to

peace between nations and even human relationships. People without mercy

will find themselves living a very lonely and fearful existence.

Probably the most prominent example of mercy in this story is when

Richard spares his brother John despite everything that John has done to

bring about his demise. Sometimes Christians need to be more like Richard,

even if it means forgiving those whom they have no wish to even be around.

Just remember God’s grace and mercy in forgiving all peoples sins even

though they do not deserve it.

England at the time of Ivanhoe

England is probably one of the longest existing nations on earth. At

the time of Ivanhoe the land was in great poverty due to the heavy taxation

by the greedy Prince John. This is the time of Robin Hood and his merry men

who lived in Sherwood Forest taking from the rich and giving to the poor.

Robin Hood and his band play a short part in the story of Ivanhoe but the
part they play is actually quite vital. They are awaiting the return of Richard

and his reign of justice as most of them are falsely charged outlaws.

England is experiencing a time when the code of chivalry is popular. It

is a period of knights,castles, lords, and damsels in distress. The ownership

of land was a big deal then. The lords owned the land, the dukes managed

the land under the lords, and the peasants or serfs worked the land to

produce their living but owned none of the land. This is called the feudal

system and was quite effective for some time.

In this time period the people were extremely discontent and greatly

disliked the ruler Prince John for his tyranny and taxation. Despite their

hatred of him they could do nothing to stop him for he surrounded himself

with powerful men who benefited from him and so would do nothing to

endanger the inflow of money and power. But under King Richard the people

were very content and loved their ruler because he ruled fairly and

mercifully, yet also justly and firmly.

Evaluation

Ivanhoe is an incredibly detailed novel on the struggles of a man who

has been rejected by his father, the one man who should never have to be

feared. This story is filled with incredible detail and imagery. When Sir

Walter Scott describes a scene, he goes to great lengths to make the reader

feel like he is actually there experiencing the action or the drama. The

power of his writing is truly mind-blowing.

 This book is recommended to anyone who has time to read it and

actually has the patience to read it. The plot is one of great workmanship,

even though the story can be a bit boring or long at some points. Any reader

would find this to be a truly intriguing novel and will be satisfied with the

great skill with which the author has written.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1) Describes the scenery around the area where the story begins.

Also tells the relations between the Normans and the Saxons. Men are

watching a party of knights and attendants ride up.

List) Gurth, Wamba, a Jester, a Swineherd

Chapter 2) The party overtakes Gurth and his friends and the knights ask

them for directions to the Castle of Cedric the Saxon. The party of

swineherds plans to lead them in the wrong direction and they set off. They

find a man lying by the side of the road asleep and wake him. He shows

them the true way saying that he is a palmer returning from the Holy Land.

List) Gurth, Wamba, Prior Aymer, Brian de Bois-Guilbert, a Palmer

Chapter 3) Just before the party arrives at the castle of Cedric the Saxon it

begins to rain heavily and they are invited in. Cedric is discussing his guests

with an advisor. The knights and the prior come and introduce themselves to

Cedric.

List) Cedric, Oswald, Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Prior Aymer

Chapter 4) Cedric invites Sir Brian and the prior, who have recently changed,

to sit down to dinner with him. Soon Gurth and Wamba arrive from the
pastures and are rebuked and then pardoned for their late arrival. The

Princess Rowena then enters the hall and sits down to hear the news of the

crusade.

List) Cedric, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Prior Aymer, Princess Rowena, Gurth,

Wamba

Chapter 5) An old Jew comes to the castle and is admitted inside, but is

shunned because of his religion. Only the palmer is courteous enough to give

the man his place by the fires so that he can dry. The palmer is asked about

his knowledge of the crusade of King Richard. He reveals that Ivanhoe, the

disinherited son of Cedric, was with Richard and Sir Brian swears to kill

Ivanhoe.

List) Cedric, the Palmer, Princess Rowena, Gurth, Wamba, Sir Brian de Bois-

Guilbert, Prior Aymer

Chapter 6) Sir Brian and his party have been shown to bed and the palmer is

being shown to his. Princess Rowena calls the palmer to her quarters and

asks him what he knows of Ivanhoe. After telling her all he can he goes to

his quarters to sleep. In the very early morning he wakes Isaac and he helps

him escape from the servants of Sir Brian. They travel together and the

palmer asks Isaac for armor, a horse, and jousting gear which he grants him.

List) the Palmer, Princess Rowena, Isaac

Chapter 7) Begins with a description of the turmoil in the land due to the

tyranny of Prince John, the evil brother of King Richard. A tournament being

prepared and Isaac has come to watch and meets his daughter
Rebeccawhom Prince John is quite taken with. He then orders the Saxons

including Cedric to move to another seat and it nearly escalates into a brawl.

List) Prince John, Isaac, Rebecca, Cedric, a Yeoman

Chapter 8) The tournament begins and a knight who calls himself the

Disinherited knight rides up. He challenges several knights to courteous

combat and challenges Sir Brian to a fight to the death. He takes down Sir

Brian but is not allowed to kill him during this day of the tournament. He then

proceeds to take down the other knights quite easily.

List) the Disinherited knight, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Lady Rowena, Prince

John

Chapter 9) The Disinherited knight has won the first day of the tournament.

He is allowed to choose the Queen of Love and Beauty and chooses Lady

Rowena. They are invited to dine with Prince John but they refuse.

List) the Disinherited knight, Lady Rowena, Prince John, Cedric

Chapter 10) The Disinherited knight has been sent the armor and horses of

the knights he defeated, but he refuses to take them. He instead takes

money from all but Sir Brian to pay for his armor and horse. He then sends

Gurth to pay Isaac for his donations.

List) the Disinherited knight, Gurth, the squires of the knights, Isaac, Rebecca

Chapter 11) Gurth is returning from the house of Isaac when he is jumped by

a band of outlaws. They question him about his load of money and determine

that he can keep it. They then ask him to participate in a fight for fun with
one of their men using the quarter-staff. He KO’s the man and they allow him

to go on his way.

List) Gurth, band of robbers

Chapter 12) The second day of the tournament has begun and two bands of

knights have lined up to fight, one lead by the knight Sir Brian and the other

by the Disinherited knight. The Disinherited knight is outnumbered 3 to 1

when an unnoticed black knight rides to his rescue. The fight is finished and

the Disinherited knight is named victor. When he must take off his helmet to

receive the crown from Lady Rowena he is found to be her love Ivanhoe, and

then he falls unconscious due to a lance point found stuck in his side.

List) the Disinherited knight, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Lady Rowena, Prince

John

Chapter 13) Ivanhoe has been taken away and Prince John declares that all

events would be canceled except the archery contest. The competition is

won by a man named Locksley who split his opponent’s arrow and then a

small willow branch. The Prince then gives him his prize and he disappears.

List) Prince John, Locksley, Hubert

Chapter 14) John is having dinner with his subjects and Cedric is present.

John then proceeds to give away Ivanhoe’s manor. His father consents and

then they begin to tease him.

List) Prince John, Cedric, Fitzurse, De Bracy, Sir Reginald Front-de-Boeuf, Prior

Aymer
Chapter 15) We are in the Chambers of the knight De Bracy who is speaking

with Fitzurse. He is planning to kill the Saxons and steal Lady Rowena. He

plans to marry her after her family and lover are dead.

List) Fitzurse, De Bracy

Chapter 16) The Black Knight of the tournament has gone his way and is lost

in the forest when he comes upon a friar’shut. After a long argument at the

door he is allowed in and finds that the supposedly poor and reclusive Friaris

actually living quite luxuriously. The Friar has much good wine and venison

but the knight is not one to complain and joins the man in his dinner.

List) the Black Knight, the Friar

Chapter 17) The Friar and the knight have begun the night and are merry.

The knight then proceeds to play songs on the harp which the monk has. The

Friar acts as a critic and they discuss the lyrics of the songs as well as other

subjects.

List) the Black Knight, the Friar

Chapter 18) Cedric and those who had come with him are leaving. They have

bound Gurth to a horse and Cedric has speared his dog who tracked them

from home.

List) Gurth, Cedric, Lady Rowena, Wamba

Chapter 19) Cedric and his party meet up with Isaac and Rebecca and travel

together. They are ambushed by a party led by De Bracy. Only Gurth and

Wamba escape and hide from the ambushers.

List) Gurth, Wamba, Isaac, Rebecca, Cedric, Lady Rowena, De Bracy

Chapter 20) Locksley has found Gurth and Wamba and is guiding them

through the forest. They come upon the hut of the Friar and hearing the

noise from within they knock and find the Friar, whom Locksley knows, and

the knight. They tell them of the trouble and the Friar as one of Locksley’s

men reveals himself to be just an uncommonly large and strong woodsman,

and they set off to catch the ambushers.

List) Gurth, Wamba, Locksley, the Black Knight, the Friar

Chapter 21) The captors with their captured have arrived at the castle of

Front-de-Boeuf. The captives are separated and taken to different quarters.

Cedric and Athelstane (a knight of Cedric) however, have been placed in the

same room and are discussing their predicament.

List) Cedric, Athelstane, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, De Bracy

Chapter 22) Front-de-Boeuf has gone to the torture chambers to talk to Isaac.

He at first offers a price for his safe release but will not allow Isaac to leave

to get the money. He then tells Isaac that his daughter has been given to Sir

Brian and Isaac wails and says that he will give no money to Front-de-Beouf.

Suddenly there is a commotion and Isaac is told that he is lucky that he will

be spared for now.

List) Sir Reginald Front-de-Beouf, Isaac

Chapter 23) De Bracy has come to speak with Lady Rowena. He tells her that

he will set Ivanhoe and Cedric free if she would only marry him. A horn

sounds and he leaves her to ponder her fate.

List) De Bracy, Lady Rowena

Chapter 24)Sir Brian has come to speak to Rebecca. He tells her that though

his vows of the Templar Order prevent him from marrying, he will love her in

the ways that he can. When he tries to approach her she threatens to jump

out the window and he soon leaves.

List) Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Rebecca

Chapter 25) The villains in the castle have received a letter from Wamba,

Gurth, and Locksley that they are ready to attack the castle at a moment’s

notice. They receive a letter in return saying that if they try anything Cedric

will be executed. They believe it to be an excuse for more time and send

Wamba in a priests robe to gain entrance to the castle.

List) Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, De Bracy, Sir Reginald Front-de-Boeuf, Gurth,

Wamba, Locksley, the Black Knight, the Friar

Chapter 26) Wamba has gained entrance and has been allowed to see Cedric

and Athelstane. Wamba changes clothes with Cedric and tells him the secret

to being a convincing priest. Cedric than leaves the cell and makes his way

out of the castle.

List) Wamba, Cedric, Athelstane

Chapter 27) An old lady named Ufried found Cedric on his way out and

brought him to a room to talk to him thinking he was a priest. They speak

and he learns that she is Ulricathe daughter of an old friend and then leaves.

Front-de-Boeuf gives Cedric a message to take to an ally and sends him on

his way but becomes suspicious. He finds out that Cedric has escaped and

prepares for battle.

List) Cedric, Wamba, Athelstane, Front-de-Boeuf, Ulrica

Chapter 28) This is a revelation of how Ivanhoe came to Torquilstone and

how Rebecca helped treat his wounds.

List) Rebecca, Isaac, Ivanhoe, Wilfred

Chapter 29) Rebecca is attending to Ivanhoe and suddenly the battle begins.

Rebecca narrates the battle for Ivanhoe and he asks much about the leader

of whom she can see nothing to identify him by. The attackers have taken

the gate and action has temporarily ceased so Ivanhoe sleeps.

List) Rebecca, Ivanhoe

Chapter 30) Front-de-Boeuf is dying and is on a sleep couch in his quarters.

He hears a voice and believing it to be the voice of a demon tells it many

things. Then Ulrica reveals herself and he recognizes her as an old

acquaintance who has come to hate him.

List) Front-de-Boeuf, Ulrica

Chapter 31) The attackers have formed a bridge across the moat of the

castle and the Black knight and Cedric are attempting to break down the

door to the castle. Suddenly the cry comes that Torquilstone is on fire and

that all is lost. De Bracy is taken prisoner but Sir Brian escapes and takes

Rebecca with him against her will.

List) the Black Knight, De Bracy, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Cedric, Locksley

Chapter 32) The victors are enjoying the spoils of their victory. Cedric frees

Gurth from his servitude. The Friar and the Black Knight engage in a punch

for punch contest.

List) the Black Knight, the Friar, Locksley, Cedric, Gurth, Wamba, Isaac

Chapter 33)The men of Locksley have captured the Prior Aymer and are

making fun of him. They have him assure a ransom for his release and send

Isaac to York. The Black Knight leaves as well.

List) Locksley, Prior Aymer, the Black Knight, Isaac

Chapter 34) De Bracy has escaped from the Black Knight and has told Prince

John that Richard has returned. Prince John is stunned and then becomes

insecure and suspicious of everyone. De Bracy and Fitzurse are planning to

leave and save themselves.

List) De Bracy, Prince John, Fitzurse

Chapter 35) Isaac has traveled to Templestowe. He dismissed his guides and

rewarded them and then traveled at as fast a pace as he was able in his

condition. But before he could reach his destination he fainted from

exhaustion and sorrow. Fortunately Nathan a physician friend lived close by

and found him and took him in.

List) Isaac, the Grand Master, Nathan

Chapter 36) Sir Brian is found to be at Albert Malvoisin dwelling and Rebecca

is then accused of being a sorceress. Sir Brian says that he will allow her fate

to come to her no matter what. She is then brought before the Grand Master

of the Templar Order.

List) Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Albert Malvoisin, Rebecca, Conrade

Chapter 37) Rebecca is put on trial and men who had been paid to testify

falsely came and shared. Rebecca is found guilty but she demands the right
to trial by combat. She then throws her glove down in front of the Grand

Master as a challenge.

List) the Grand Master, Rebecca, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Conrade

Chapter 38) Rebecca’s challenge is accepted and Sir Brian is appointed to be

the one who will do battle against her chosen champion. She sends a

messenger to her father telling him to find her a champion.

List) Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Rebecca, Grand Master, Beaumanoir

Chapter 39) Sir Brian comes to see Rebecca in her cell. He tries to convince

her to love him but she refuses. He then becomes angry and he tells

Malvoisin that he will fight in the lists against her champion.

List) Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Rebecca

Chapter 40) The Black Knight and Wamba are riding to York when they are

ambushed by Fitzurse and a few men. Wamba sounds a horn for help and

Locksley’s merry men arrive quickly. When the attackers have been

dispatched the Black Knight reveals himself to be King Richard himself and

all pay homage to him.

List) King Richard, Wamba, Friar Tuck, Fitzurse

Chapter 41) Ivanhoe and Gurth have ridden to meet the King and his friends

despite the king’s wishes. Ivanhoe and the King Richard then travel to

Coningsburgh.

List) King Richard, Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Ivanhoe, Gurth, Wamba

Chapter 42) Richard and his friends arrive at Coningsburgh the house of

Athelstane where they find that Athelstane is not dead as was previously
thought, but had merely been knocked unconscious. Then Ivanhoe (whom his

father has forgiven and reclaimed), Gurth, and Richard suddenly disappear

and it is found that they have gone at the word of a Jew who has sought for

Ivanhoe.

List) Cedric, Ivanhoe, King Richard, Lady Rowena, Athelstane

Chapter 43) The trial of combat is waiting for Rebecca’s champion when

Ivanhoe finally steps forward. Ivanhoe and Sir Brian prepare to meet in

mortal combat. They charge and in the first charge Sir Brian falls at the

slightest of the hit from Ivanhoe’s lance. They remove his helmet and find

that he died from the massive battle of emotions going on inside of his heart.

Rebecca is now free of her charges.

List) Ivanhoe, Rebecca, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, the Grand Master

Chapter 44) The Heir of Cedric is reinstated, King Richard the Lion-Hearted

has returned, and the tyranny of Prince John is at an end. Only the wedding

of Ivanhoe and Rowena remains. Then Rebecca comes and gives her thanks

to her savior Ivanhoe and the book is finished

List) Ivanhoe, Lady Rowena, King Richard, Rebecca, Isaac