Ivanhoe Book Notes

Ivanhoe by Walter Scott

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Author/Context

Sir Walter Scott was born in 1771 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was born into a middle-class family, and soon took sick at the age of two. To help cure what is thought to have been infantile paralysis, Scott and his family moved into the country. In the picturesque countryside of his forefathers, Scott learned Scottish legends, ballads, and stories from his grandfather. These glimpses of the past would be a tool for Scott's fiction later in life.

An avid reader, Scott loved Pope, Dryden, Swift, Johnson, Spenser, and Cervantes. He was infected by stories of knights and castles, even venturing to explore the ruins of ancient castles himself. While flexing his interest in stories of the past, Scott also studied to become a lawyer. But he would soon be a published writer, and that would occupy nearly the rest of his life.

Scott's first published work was a translation of a German poet in 1796. Three years later he made a translation of Goethe, but it was The Lay of the Last Minstrel in 1805 which was his first original book of poems. The year it was published he became a secret partner in the Border Press, which would allow him to keep more of the profit from his books. And huge profits piled in with the publication of Waverly in 1814. The anonymous publication was an immediate success, and Scott decided to keep his identity as author secret, both to secure his reputation as a poet, and to delight his mysterious side. His following novels were credited to "the author of Waverly" and became known as "the Waverly novels." This included Ivanhoe, published in 1820. Scott kept mostly to Scotland for inspiration, but with Ivanhoe he shifted his focus to thirteenth-century England, and a possible conflict between the ruling and ruled classes there.

Scott's good fortune was to end in 1825, with the bankruptcy of the Border Press. Unwilling to sell off his home to help pay the debt, Scott decided instead to write. He wrote to help pay off the debt, writing thirty pages a day and spending nearly all the rest of his life in labor. By 1831, the debt was nearly all paid. Scott died on September 21, 1832.

In addition to Scott's distinction and innovation in the novel form, he also experimented and excelled in other genres. A true "man of letters," Scott was a poet, critic, historian, biographer, and editor. Incredibly prolific, Scott wrote well into his old age in an effort to help pay off the debts of his bankrupt publishing house.

His wildly successful Waverly novels secured for Scott not only a place in literary history, but also in the hearts of his countrymen. Popular and well-loved, Scott's death in 1832 was widely mourned. Known as "the father of the historical novel," Scott's contemporaries and those who followed acknowledge his influence over the scope of fiction. He "made possible serious presentation of regional characteristics and of characters from social levels below the aristocracy and the upper-middle class" (Kunitz 151). And in light of what some critics argue to be a lessened interest or staying power in Scott's works, Chesterton contends: "It is said that Scott is neglected by modern readers; if so, the matter could be more appropriately described by saying that modern readers are neglected by Providence" (British Authors 547).

Bibliography

Kunitz, Stanley, ed. British Authors of the Nineteenth Century. New York: The HW Wilson Company, 1936.

Lauber, John. Sir Walter Scott. New York: Twayne Publishers, Inc., 1966.

Scott, Sir Walter. Ivanhoe. New York: Bantam Books, 1988.

Plot Summary

Ivanhoe takes place about a hundred years after the Battle of Hastings, which gave the Normans rule over the Saxons in England. The brave and respected King Richard of England became prisoner while fighting the Crusades abroad. In his absence, the nobles made their weaker neighbors tenants, and Richard's brother John oversaw it all in his attempt to take the throne.

The Saxon noble Cedric, the father of Ivanhoe, is a strong supporter of Saxon heritage and rights. He threw out his son when he fell in love with Cedric's ward, the Lady Rowena. Cedric hoped to marry her to Athelstane, thus forming a powerful Saxon alliance. Ivanhoe goes to fight with King Richard, and is next seen as the masked victor at a tournament. He is wounded during the tournament, but the Jewess Rebecca and her father Isaac take him in. Rebecca is a practicing healer, and she takes good care of him. She also falls in love with him, but resists her urges.

Among Prince John's men are Maurice De Bracy, Front-de-Boeuf, and Brian de Bois-Guilbert. De Bracy likes Lady Rowena, so he and his men take her and her family prisoner. Bois-Guilbert likes Rebecca, and so he aids De Bracy in this evil endeavor. They take the women, their families, and the wounded Ivanhoe to Front-de-Boeuf's castle.

King Richard also makes an appearance at the tournament, dressed in disguise. He meets up with Friar Tuck and Robin Hood's men, and he aids them in their plan to take the castle and free the prisoners. They win the castle, which an old enemy of Front-de-Boeuf's burns to the ground. Front-de-Boeuf dies, De Bracy is taken prisoner, and Bois-Guilbert escapes with Rebecca. During a scuffle over Rebecca (whom he mistakes for Rowena), Athelstane is killed.

Bois-Guilbert is a member of the religious order of Templars, and he takes Rebecca to their headquarters. Unfortunately, the group's Grand Master returns, and is very angry about the Templar's sinful behavior. He accuses Rebecca of sorcery, and sentences her to death. Her only hope is that a knight will challenge the Templars and Bois-Guilbert, who has agreed to testify and fight opposite her cause. Rebecca gets a message out to Ivanhoe, who is attending Athelstane's funeral. King Richard patches things up with Ivanhoe and his father Cedric, and just after Cedric agrees Ivanhoe and Rowena may marry, Athelstane appears. He was not dead, but nearly buried alive by priests greedy for the funeral money. Fortunately for Ivanhoe, Athelstane does not fight for Rowena; he wishes the couple nothing but the best. Shortly after, Ivanhoe leaves to save Rebecca.

At the Templars' headquarters, Ivanhoe fights Bois-Guilbert. The Templar dies, not from battle, but from his own wild passions. Rebecca is free, and Ivanhoe and Rowena marry. Rebecca expresses her gratitude to the happy Lady Ivanhoe before leaving with her father for Grenada. Ivanhoe lives a happy life with his wife, and goes on to do more of the King's work. Richard arrests many of Prince John's men, and has some put to death. He does nothing to his brother, who eventually comes into power when King Richard dies in battle.

Major Characters

King Richard I: The strong and willful King of England. More interested in adventure than in governing, Richard, and Ivanhoe's leader, went to fight in the Crusades. He was taken prisoner by the Duke of Austria, and after his escape returned to England in disguise. He spent his time fighting in tournaments and aiding in rescues while his allies gained the strength to force his brother John out of power. Not behaving like a King, he spends time with Friar Tuck, and dines with Locksley's men. He is a fair ruler, and wants to lessen the harsh forest laws and reconcile with the Saxons. Unfortunately, he does not live long enough to enact all of his reforms.

Normans: The group of Norman-French who conquered England and the Saxons in 1066. Oppressive rulers, they enacted strict laws that pushed the Saxons into the lower classes. They used language, chivalry, and dress--among other things--to elevate themselves above the conquered Saxons.

Saxons: The former rulers of England who were conquered by the Normans in 1066. Despising the Norman rule, they tried to keep their heritage strong in the forms of dress, language, and custom. Unfortunately, many Saxon sons were charmed by the code of chivalry, and left their family homes in order to fight in the Crusades. This caused a great rift in many Saxon families.

Gurth: Cedric's swineherd, and Wamba's friend. He is devoted to his master Ivanhoe, and sneaks away to help him. He is later caught, but escapes before Cedric is taken prisoner. He is a strong part of the effort to save his master, and for this he wins his freedom.

Wamba: Cedric's very loyal Jester, who befriends the Black Knight. He takes up arms for his friends, and exhibits unusual bravery. He has no end of witty remarks, and enjoys pretending to be a priest so he can save his master.

Master Cedric: A noble Saxon who wishes for a return to Saxon rule in England. He is the father of Ivanhoe and Rowena's guardian. Cedric tries to force an alliance between Rowena and Athelstane, but he is rebuffed. Strong-willed and stubborn, he throws his own son out of the house when he falls in love with Rowena, threatening Cedric's plans. Cedric constantly complains about the Norman rule, and thinks back to his noble Saxon heritage. His firmly-rooted Saxon ways leave him open to much ridicule. When his Saxon alliance falls apart, he is able to be happy for Ivanhoe and Rowena, and the good King.

Reginald Front-de-Boeuf: A cruel and terrible noble, guilty of killing his own father. While the other Knights are catching ladies, Front-de-Boeuf is threatening to torture Isaac in his dungeon. The most terrifying of the Knights because he seems to have no human connections and no morals. He dies in his burning castle, abandoned by all but Urfried, who caused his death. Evil to the end, he yells out insults as he dies.

Philip de Malvoisin: Brother of Albert. He is a Norman noble allied with Prince John. His terrifying and unyielding presence looms large over the weaker characters.

Prior Aymer of Jorvaulx: Another example of a corrupt religious leader. Neglecting his vows of chastity and poverty, he is a womanizer and a lover of fine things. He dresses very well, but is insulted when Tuck calls him a hypocrite.

Brian De Bois-Guilbert: A Templar who does not obey the rules of his order. He kidnaps Rebecca, and tries to make her love him. Her refusals make him angry, but he still respects her courage and steadfastness. Unfortunately, his love puts her in danger, and the Grand Master charges her with witchcraft. Bois-Guilbert is forced, against his better judgment, to testify against her and fight against her champion. He lets his ambition rise above his love for her and his knowledge of what's right. But in the fight against Ivanhoe, his strong passions kill him.

Rowena: Cedric acts as the guardian to this strong-willed maiden. She is allowed to act as head of the family, making important decisions. This is partly why the marriage to Athelstane Cedric desires is so repulsive to her. But the biggest reason is because she loves Ivanhoe, and wishes to marry him when he returns. Beautiful and strong, Rowena finds herself the unwilling object of De Bracy's affections, but she ably wards him off. She is rewarded with Ivanhoe, who becomes her husband.

The hermit, also Clerk of Copmanhurst, also Friar Tuck: The fat, jolly, lawbreaking hermit whom the Black Knight meets on his travels. The hermit turns out to be Friar Tuck, one of Locksley's outlaws. Though Tuck is a priest, he prefers hunting to hymns, and loves to drink, eat, and fight. He is still a good man, just not one to follow the monastic rules. For this the Prior chastises him, but Tuck doesn't care much for censure from another fallen priest.

Ivanhoe: Cedric's renegade son, he left his Saxon roots in order to follow King Richard into the Crusades. A brave knight, Ivanhoe fights in the first tournament and is injured. But the Jewess Rebecca heals him, and he repays her by saving her from a fiery death. Ivanhoe is in love with Rowena, and wishes to marry her. But he also shows some softness for Rebecca, though it is unknown if he has any feelings for the Jewess, or if he is merely acting out of chivalric honor. Ivanhoe also loves his father, and despite disobeying him, he is very happy to be forgiven and taken back. He goes on to marry Lady Rowena, and to serve further under Richard.

Athelstane the Unready: The lumbering Saxon noble. Though he is of great descent, he is slow-witted and gluttonous. His number one concern is with his growling stomach. Therefore, he is not very interested in alliances or destiny, and he gives up Rowena to Ivanhoe without batting an eye. Athelstane is not cowardly, merely lazy. He has other concerns than fighting and chivalry. During one of his few aggressive acts, in defense of a woman whom he believes to be Rowena, Athelstane is hit and believed dead. But the 'deceased' shows up at his own funeral, alive! He was nearly buried alive by priests greedy for the funeral money, and his ordeal gave him a new perspective. He becomes even less interested in power and rule than before, much to Cedric's dismay.

Sir Isaac of York: Rebecca's father. A good, kind man, Isaac places too much importance on his money. He loves his daughter, but is unsure how much money he should use to save her. After his daughter is kidnapped, he is almost tortured and killed. Lamenting the state of his people, he thinks it is unfair for Gentiles to hate Jews as money-lenders, when money-lenders are all they are allowed to be.

Prince John: The power-hungry, arrogant and cowardly brother of King Richard. Prince John plans, in his brother's absence, to usurp the throne and have himself crowned King. But his advisors and supporters all think him a joke, and follow him only in hopes of gaining money and power. He nearly faints at news of his brother, and is constantly worried that his men will desert him. This is for good reason, because he does lose out in the end. But his brother lets him off without punishment, and Prince John does attain the throne after his brother's death.

Rebecca: The beautiful, courageous, virtuous daughter of Sir Isaac of York. She is a devout Jew and a practicing healer. Despite knowing better, she falls in love with Ivanhoe, who can think of her as little more than a Jew. She regrets her people's troubles, but does not complain. Rebecca, like Rowena, finds herself the unwilling object of a Knight's advances. Bois-Guilbert imprisons her and proclaims his love, but she constantly refuses him. She prefers death to his advances. Her refusals are strong, and once she threatens to throw herself out the window. Rebecca finds herself accused of sorcery. She never considers escaping with Bois-Guilbert or renouncing her faith. She requests a duel, and Ivanhoe comes to her rescue. Afraid of betraying her love for him, she speaks a few words to Rowena before leaving for Grenada. She plans to become a servant to the poor and needy.

Maurice De Bracy: A brave Knight who falls for Rowena. He hatches a plot to take her prisoner, then pretends to be her savior. He is angry at being rebuffed by her, but never turns to violence. He stands by his friends in their defense of Torquilstone, but rides off when defeat is certain. He travels to France to work for Philip.

The yeoman, also Locksley, also Robin Hood: Brave and smart yeoman who presides over a band of outlaws. He is able to reign in the outlaws when necessary, as when spoils are being split. He offers assistance to the Black Knight, and lends his men to the offense of Torquilstone. He is a skilled archer, and an ardent opponent of the harsh laws that hurt the weak and poor.

Disinherited Knight, also Ivanhoe: The Knight who appears at the tournament and wins the day. He names Rowena as the Queen of the tournament, before fainting and being unmasked as Ivanhoe.

Black Knight, also King Richard: The Black Knight retains his secret identity for much longer than the Disinherited Knight. He first meets up with Friar Tuck, with whom he dines and sings. He later joins up with Locksley's men, helping them to take Torquilstone and free the prisoners. He is mysterious, and only Ivanhoe knows his identity until the near end of the book.

Minor Characters

Fangs: Wamba's faithful dog. His claws are cut off in accordance with the Norman laws forbidding hunting.

lay brother: A member of the Prior's traveling group, he rode a beautiful horse.

monk's attendants: The Prior's black slaves. Probably from the Far East, their strange and exotic appearance and tongue opened them up to much criticism and prejudice.

Elgitha, Rowena's maid: The faithful maid of Lady Rowena.

Wilfred: An ancestor of Cedric's whose rash actions cost him his power. Cedric invokes his name when thinking of the injustices of the Normans.

Order of Templars: The men belonging to the Templars have strayed from their vows during their Master's absence. They are supposed to be religious and pious, but have fallen into sinful ways. They are hostile to King Richard and allied with his enemy in France.

Palmer, also Ivanhoe: The Palmer is met by the Prior and his men along the road. He leads them to Cedric's, where he gives up his seat to a Jew. He later helps the Jew, Isaac of York, escape from danger in the castle.

Edith: Athelstane's beautiful mother.

Earl of Essex: An ally of King Richard's who comes to his aid in the final chapter.

Philip of France: Richard's enemy abroad. Treacherous Prince John has become allied with Philip during his brother's absence.

Knights of Saint John: Another knightly order, which like the Templars is against King Richard. The order sided with Philip of France in the recent conflicts.

Waldemar Fitzurse: The chief advisor to Prince John. He does his best to clean up after the shallow and bumbling ruler, and is often sent to measure and strengthen the allegiance of John's men. If he can help John take the throne, his prize will be the Chancellorship. But even with a futile last attempt at capturing Richard, Fitzurse does not succeed. His punishment is banishment.

Grantmesnil: One of the Knights who fights at the tournament along with De Bracy, Bois-Guilbert, Front-de-Boeuf and Malvoisin.

Disinherited Knight's squire, also Gurth: The Disinherited Knight's faithful helper, whom we soon learn is Gurth.

Oswald: Cedric's faithful servant. Cedric sends him to look after injured Ivanhoe. When Oswald loses track of Ivanhoe, he brings Gurth back to his master.

Tosti: A treacherous brother, similar to Prince John. He allied himself with his brother, King Harold's, enemy. Though his brother agreed to take him back, Tosti did not like the terms, which offered nothing to his allies (who were also the King's enemies). So they all fought, with King Harold winning the day, and Tosti losing his life.

Harold: The King, and Tosti's brother. He was a Saxon ruler, and Cedric reflects on his downfall with great sadness. Despite winning against his brother and his enemies, King Harold was soon to be defeated by the Normans. Athelstane is one of Harold's descendants.

Ulrica, also Urfried: The old sibyl who is imprisoned in Torquilstone. Of noble Saxon birth, she watched Front-de-Boeuf's father storm the castle and kill her father. For years she was forced to be his mistress. Cedric is shocked and disgusted to learn this; he believes she should have done the honorable thing and killed herself. Now, old and hateful, she pledges revenge against Front-de-Boeuf. She lights the castle on fire and ensures both will perish. In her last moments, she becomes crazed and terrifying.

Adelaide: The woman who broke Bois-Guilbert's heart. While he was off fighting adventures for her, she married someone else. This new man had not performed any feats of bravery for her, so in disgust Bois-Guilbert renounced his independence and, with a hardened heart, became a Templar.

Torquil: The father of Urfried, and former master of Torquilstone. He was a powerful Saxon. Front-de-Boeuf's father took his castle, killing Torquil and making Urfried his mistress and prisoner.

Brother Ambrose: The Brother who brings the particulars of the Prior's kidnapping to De Bracy, Front-de-Boeuf, and Bois-Guilbert. He is shocked that these knights are more concerned with the castle's defense than with the Prior's message to them.

Miriam: The skilled Jewish healer who taught Rebecca. Unfortunately, Rebecca's association with Miriam is later considered a sign of her sorcery.

Thomas-a-Becket: The former archbishop of Canterbury. Prince John's father had him killed, and John wishes he had such loyal men.

Nathan ben Israel: Isaac's kind and wise kinsman, who offers him a place to stay near Templestowe.

Lucas de Beaumanoir: The Templar's stern Grand Master. With his return came a return to the order's discipline and values. Shocked by Bois-Guilbert's behavior with Rebecca, he orders her death and trial. He is a stubborn man who cannot be bribed, and he insists that only Rebecca's death will save their fallen brother. He is susceptible to trickery, though, when he falls for Albert's assertion of ignorance about the Jewess.

Conrade Mont-Fitchet: A fellow Templar to whom the Grand Master confides his disappointments. Trying to soften the Grand Master, he suggests the Order's punishment be fair and cautious, but he cannot change the angry man's mind.

Albert Malvoisin: The president of the Templestowe chapter, and therefore the one responsible for all the disorder. But Albert is shrewd, and he shows a mix of repentance and ignorance which pleases the Grand Master. He insists he took in Rebecca to protect Bois-Guilbert, and that he knew nothing of her sorcery. He gets off with a small penance.

Higg: A man whom Rebecca healed, he appears as a witness against her at her trial. Feeling guilty about his part in her death, he agrees to be her messenger. Carrying her request for a champion beyond the castle walls, he finds her father and tells him the news.

Blue Knight, also Waldemar Fitzurse: This Knight and his men launch a forest attack on the Black Knight and Wamba. With Locksley's help, the Knight is defeated, then revealed to be Fitzurse.

Objects/Places

forest, also Sherwood forest: Scene of much of the book's action, this forest lies between Sheffield and Doncaster. It is full of yeoman and outlaws, most of whom have been oppressed by forest laws. These laws prohibit certain groups from hunting, greatly hurting the Saxon and other lower classes' way of life.

Sheffield: A city in Northern England, it lies on one side of the forest.

Doncaster: A borough in Northern England which makes the other border of the forest.

vassals: A tenant of a noble, a vassal has vowed obedience the noble in exchange for protection. They are considered a lower class. Prince John allowed for the increase of vassals and vassalages in his brother's absence. Rich and powerful nobles turned their weaker neighbors into vassals, greatly disrupting and disturbing the country.

franklins: A landowner who is of noble birth, but not free. Cedric is a franklin, indebted to the Prior.

Conquest by Duke William of Normandy: The 1066 defeat of the Saxons by the Normans. The Normans took over rule of England, making the Saxons their unwilling subjects.

Battle of Hastings: The battle which decisively won England for the Normans.

language: One of the strong clashes between Norman and Saxon is through language. The Normans considered the Saxon dialect unintelligent, and the Saxons understandably resented this. The Norman language was considered the height of intelligence and chivalry, and was used in the courts. Language formed a strong barrier between the two groups, with only some on each side willing to speak the dialect that mixed the two languages.

brass ring: The ring is worn around the neck of servants such as Wamba and Gurth. It signifies their class and status.

serf: A landless servant who works the soil for his master. Gurth is a serf.

Anglo-Saxon dialect: One group that will speak in this 'lower' dialect are servants such as Wamba and Gurth. Their use of this dialect signifies their low status.

St. Botolph: The home of the convent where the injured Ivanhoe was brought. Richard visits him there.

Templestowe: The home headquarters for the Templars. Isaac hurries there to try and save Rebecca, who is in Bois-Guilbert's clutches.

Templar: A Knight of this religious and military order. They fought for Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulcher. In the absence of their leader, the members of the order strayed from all of their vows, including chastity and poverty. Bois-Guilbert is one of their members.

Rotherwood: Cedric's rustic home.

Saxon dress: The dress worn by Cedric, Athelstane, and their kinsmen. It is rugged and simple, and considered ridiculous by the more fashion-conscious Normans.

Asby-de-la-Zouche: The site of the tournament at which Ivanhoe appears.

Palestine: Region in the Middle East where much of the religious fighting was occurring. Richard and Ivanhoe had both fought there.

usury: The lending of money, including the lending of money with excessive interest rates. Jews such as Isaac were accused of being usurers.

York: Ancient county of northern England, bordering the sea. It is the site of Prince John's planning meetings, and later it is court to the returned King.

Torquilstone: Front-de-Boeuf's castle. This is where Bois-Guilbert imprisoned Rebecca, and where the Saxon prisoners were brought. The outlaws, aided by an old sibyl, defeat the castle's forces, and it burns to the ground.

Castle of York: The site where Prince John collects his followers near the end of the novel. It is there that he learns of Front-de-Boeuf's death, and his brother's return. Here he and Fitzurse hatch the plan to capture Richard, and possibly kill him.

Quotes

Quote 1: "The royal policy had long been to weaken, by every means, legal or illegal, the strength of a part of the population which was justly considered as nourishing the most inveterate antipathy to their victor." Chapter 1, pg. 2

Quote 2: "In short, French was the language of honour, chivalry, and even of justice, while the far more manly and expressive Anglo-Saxon was abandoned to the use of rustics and hinds, who knew no other." Chapter 1, pg. 3

Quote 3: "Gurth, the son of Beowulph, is the born thrall of Cedric of Rotherwood." Chapter 1, pg. 5

Quote 4: "Wamba, the son of Witless, is the thrall of Cedric of Rotherwood." Chapter 1, pg. 5

Quote 5: "Proud, fierce, jealous, and irritable, a withstander of the nobility, and even of his neighbors, Reginald Front-de-Boeuf and Philip Malvoisin, who are no babes to strive with. He stands up so sternly for the privileges of his race, and is so proud of his uninterrupted descent from Hereward, a renowned champion of the Heptarchy, that he is universally called Cedric the Saxon; and makes boast of his belonging to a people from whom many others endeavour to hide their descent, lest they should encounter a share of the voe victis, or severities imposed upon the vanquished." Chapter 2, pg.17


Quote 6: "Pride and jealousy there was in his eye, for his life had been spent in asserting rights which were constantly liable to invasion; and the prompt, fiery, and resolute disposition of the man had been kept constantly upon the alert by the circumstances of his situation." Chapter 3, pg. 23

Quote 7: "Say to them, Hundebert, that Cedric would himself bid them welcome, but he is under a vow never to step more than three steps from the dais of his own hall to meet any who shares not the blood of Saxon royalty." Chapter 3, pg. 27

Quote 8: "Vows, must be unloosed, worthy franklin, or permit me rather to say, worthy thane, though the title is antiquated. Vows are the knots which tie us to Heaven--they are the cords which bind the sacrifice to the horns of the alter--and are therefore, as I said before, to be unloosed and discharged, unless our Holy Mother Church shall pronounce the contrary." Chapter 4, pg. 29-30

Quote 9: "Upon the slightest and most unreasonable pretenses, as well as upon accusations the most absurd and groundless, their persons and property were exposed to every turn of popular fury; for Norman, Saxon, Dane, and Briton, however adverse these races were to each other, contended which should look with greatest detestation upon a people whom it was accounted a point of religion to hate, to revile, to despise, to plunder, and to persecute." Chapter 5, pg. 52

Quote 10: "These Gentiles, cruel and oppressive as they are, are in some sort dependent on the dispersed children of Zion, whom they despise and persecute. Without the aid of our wealth they could neither furnish forth their hosts in war nor their triumphs in peace; and the gold which we lend them returns with increase to our coffers. We are like the herb which flourisheth most when it is most trampled on." Chapter 10, pg. 93

Quote 11: "Alas, since your son was a follower of my unhappy brother, it need not be inquired where or from whom he learned the lesson of filial disobedience." Chapter 14, pg. 130

Quote 12: "The sudden and romantic appearance of his son in the lists at Ashby he had justly regarded as almost a death's blow to his hopes. His paternal affection, it is true, had for an instant gained the victory over pride and patriotism; but both had returned in full force, and under their joint operation he was now bent upon making a determined effort for the union of Athelstane and Rowena, together with expediting those other measures which seemed necessary to forward the restoration of Saxon independence." Chapter 18, pg. 162

Quote 13: "I will but confess the sins of my green cloak to my grey friar's frock, and all shall be well again." Chapter 20, pg. 174

Quote 14: "To heralds and to minstrels, then, leave thy praise, Sir Knight, more suiting for their mouths than for thine own; and tell me which of them shall record in song, or in book of tourney, the memorable conquest of this night, a conquest obtained over an old man, followed by a few timid hinds; and its booty, an unfortunate maiden transported against her will to the castle of a robber?" Chapter 23, pg. 196

Quote 15: "...a jealousy of ambition and of wealth, as well as of love..." Chapter 23, pg. 198

Quote 16: "The Templar loses, as thou hast said, his social rights, his power of free agency, but he becomes a member and a limb of a mighty body, before which thrones already tremble--even as the single drop of rain which mixes with the sea becomes an individual part of that restless ocean which undermines rocks and engulfs mighty armadas." Chapter 24, pg. 211

Quote 17: "To act as I have acted, to think as I have thought, requires the maddening love of pleasure, mingled with the keen appetite of revenge, the proud consciousness of power--draughts too intoxicating for the human heart to bear, and yet retain the power to prevent...Well thou has said, all is possible for those who dare to die!" Chapter 27, pg. 232

Quote 18: "Ivanhoe was too good a Catholic to retain the same class of feelings toward a Jewess." Chapter 28, pg. 249

Quote 19: "There are things most necessary to be done, the perpetrator of which we neither love nor honour; and there may be refusals to serve us which shall rather exalt in our estimation those who deny our request." Chapter 34, pg. 320

Quote 20: "I may forsake the order; I never will degrade or betray it." Chapter 39, pg. 368

Quote 21: "I tell thee, proud Templar, that not in thy fiercest battles hast thou displayed more of thy vaunted courage than has been shown by woman when called upon to suffer by affection or duty." Chapter 39, pg. 369

Quote 22: "You have power, rank, command, influence; we have wealth, the source both of our strength and weakness..." Chapter 40, pg. 431

Topic Tracking: Bravery

Chapter 8

Bravery 1: Cedric is distressed that Athelstane has no interest in fighting against all these Norman nobles and Templars at the tournament. These are people who have helped to oppress his people, but the stout Athelstane does not seem to care. He doesn't think it is worthwhile to fight in these individual competitions, and chooses instead to fight in the larger team combat the next day.

The Disinherited Knight, on the other hand, fights against all the champions. He shows not only bravery in combat, but also courtesy and fairness, such as in his desire not to fight De Grantmesmil when his horse rears. Instead of taking that as an opportunity, the Disinherited Knight judges it to be an accident, which would make any further combat unfair and uneven.

Chapter 12

Bravery 2: One of the men on the Disinherited Knight's team, a large knight in black armor, is slow to fight early on in the match. The Disinherited Knight seems to be moments from losing, because his opponents have outnumbered him. Instead of fighting fairly, one-on-one, Bois-Guilbert, Athelstane, and Front-de-Boeuf all attack him together. At this sight, the Black Knight suddenly comes to life. With his help, the Disinherited Knight's team defeats Athelstane and Front-de-Boeuf.

Chapter 14

Bravery 3: Having just learned of his brother's freedom, Prince John worries that his men might desert him upon Richard's return. Instead of rousing and uniting them himself, he sends his aide Waldemar Fitzurse to mend fences. He cowers at the thought of his brother free, and feels hopeless to inspire his men. The bravery he boasted of when his brother was safely imprisoned now dissolves at word of his freedom.

Chapter 19

Bravery 4: Wamba uses a combination of bravery and trickery to escape from De Bracy's band. First he fights with much more courage and ferocity than one would expect from a jester; laterwhen he's in trouble, he flees into the bushes during the confusion.

Wamba runs into Gurth, who just renounced his service to Cedric. Upon hearing of the kidnapping, Gurth is eager to fight to save his master. Gurth decides that deserting Cedric would be a cowardly and disloyal act.

Chapter 23

Bravery 5: Rowena, captured by De Bracy, sees the irony in his actions. Knights are supposed to be brave and honorable, but De Bracy's acts are cowardly. He kidnapped her and her family, taking them by surprise. They had no one to fight against him, and no means of escape. Then, he removed Rowena from her family against her will. To Lady Rowena, these are not the chivalrous tales that will one day be told in legends or song. They are the acts of a coward.

Chapter 24

Bravery 6: Rebecca steadfastly refuses Bois-Guilbert's advances. Preferring death to dishonor, she threatens to jump off the high tower. Throughout this episode she does not cry or beg; she is merely firm and calm in her refusals and in her determination to save her honor even if through death .

Chapter 25

Bravery 7: During the assault on Front-de-Boeuf's castle, the Black Knight and the yeoman receive a letter from inside. One person, a confessor, may be allowed to enter the castle. The Black Knight asks the Clerk of Copmanhurst, who is a priest, but he refuses. He fears he would be discovered, since he knows so little Latin and virtually nothing of other priestly matters. The only one who volunteers is Wamba the Jester. This act sets him above the Clerk and Locksley's other men in terms of bravery. It is also quite an unexpected action from a jester.

Chapter 28

Bravery 8: A flashback to the events immediately following the tournament reveals that Rebecca took on the care of Ivanhoe against her father's wishes, and to the detriment of her own safety. Ivanhoe was placed on her litter, and she had to mount a horse. This made her visible to the lecherous Bois-Guilbert, but Rebecca's only concern was for her patient.

Chapter 29

Bravery 9: As the fighting intensifies outside Front-de-Boeuf's castle, Ivanhoe becomes anxious. He wishes he were out there so to satisfy him, Rebecca peers out the tower window. It is very dangerous and Ivanhoe cautions her against it, but Rebecca insists.

Chapter 31

Bravery 10: In a feat of bravery rare for Athelstane the Unready, the oafish man attacks Bois-Guilbert. He mistakes Rebecca for Rowena, and thinks he is fighting to save his future bride. Unfortunately, Bois-Guilbert delivers a mortal wound to the Saxon heir.

Chapter 34

Bravery 11: De Bracy thinks Prince John and Waldemar Fitzurse's plan to assault and capture Richard is cowardly. To engage someone in battle one-on-one is fine, but to catch someone by surprise is not. De Bracy refuses to go along with the plan, especially since the King just spared his life and freed him. Both gratitude and honor keep him from embarking on this plan.

Chapter 37

Bravery 12: Everyone in the hall is impressed with Rebecca's strength in the face of such accusations. She, a lone woman, keeps her cool during a trial amongst strangers. But the bravest action she takes is her request for a champion. Like brave knights, Rebecca throws down her glove, delicate though it is. She shows in this one action that she does know something about chivalry, despite Ivanhoe's opinion.

Chapter 39

Bravery 13: Rebecca again rebukes Bois-Guilbert's advances. She still would rather die than be with him. He respects her, and thinks they share a common belief that ideals are worth dying for. Therefore it is not surprising when she turns the Templar down again.

Chapter 40

Bravery 14: Wamba is with the Black Knight when he is attacked by a Blue Knight and his men. Again showing courage remarkable for a jester, Wamba injures the Blue Knight's horse. The Knight falls to the ground. Though Wamba is not as skilled as the Black Knight, he does not lack the courage of a knight.

Chapter 43

Bravery 15: Bois-Guilbert does not want to fight Ivanhoe, because the challenger is injured. That would not be a fair match, and Bois-Guilbert does not want that. But Ivanhoe insists, and goes into battle for Rebecca, his healer. He does this despite his injuries.

Topic Tracking: Loyalty

Chapter 2

Loyalty 1: The forest encounter between Wamba, Gurth and the Prior and his men reveal an instance of loyalty and one of unfaithfulness. Wamba, faithful to his master Cedric, gives the Prior the wrong directions to Rotherwood, in hopes of sparing his master from these characters. Despite risk to himself, Wamba lies to protect his master.

The Prior, on the other hand, is not even obedient to his religious vows. He turns down the offer of a hermitage where he may stay in the hope of staying at the more opulent home of Cedric. His clothes, his appetite, and his love for women all are proof of his disregard for his religious vows.

Chapter 3

Loyalty 2: When Elgitha brings up Palestine and the lady Rowena's interest in the goings-on there, Cedric becomes very agitated. He thinks that he could be interested in Palestine, but he will not relent on the subject of his son. To him, his disobedient son deserves no such thought. Cedric is strong-willed and fiercely loyal to his Saxon heritage. A disobedient son is the greatest offense to him, and he no longer considers Ivanhoe his son.

Chapter 4

Loyalty 3: When his guests arrive, Cedric does not greet them fully. He has vowed not to take more than three steps toward any guest of their kind. He follows his vow, but the Prior tells Cedric not to take any vow too seriously:

"Vows, must be unloosed, worthy franklin, or permit me rather to say, worthy thane, though the title is antiquated. Vows are the knots which tie us to Heaven--they are the cords which bind the sacrifice to the horns of the altar--and are therefore, as I said before, to be unloosed and discharged, unless our Holy Mother Church shall pronounce the contrary." Chapter 4, pg. 29-30

This is a statement one would expect to hear more from an outlaw than a man of the cloth, whose vows are supposed to guide his life. Unless, of course, the church and its leaders are corrupt.

Chapter 7

Loyalty 4: In the absence of King Richard, Prince John hatches a plan to usurp the throne. With his brother languishing in a prison abroad, John decides not to rescue his brother, but to seize the throne and have himself proclaimed King. He allies himself with the Norman nobles, the Templars and his brother's mortal enemy, Philip of France.

Chapter 11


Loyalty 5: When Gurth is accosted in the forest by robbers, he makes a distinction between his money and that of his master. The amount of money he tells the thieves he has does not include the money he carries for his master. When he tries to buy his freedom, he does so only with his own money, despite the aid his master's money might give him. Gurth is allowed to fight for his money and, upon winning, returns to his master.

Chapter 14

Loyalty 6: During the banquet after the tournament, Prince John is surprised to hear that brave Ivanhoe is the disinherited son of Cedric. It makes sense when John remembers that Ivanhoe is a follower of King Richard: "Alas, since your son was a follower of my unhappy brother, it need not be inquired where or from whom he learned the lesson of filial disobedience." Chapter 14, pg. 130 The narrator then reminds us that of all of King Henry's sons, Prince John was the most disobedient. Continuing in this vein, John hardly seems a pillar of loyalty as he betrays his brother. But these points are lost on the shallow Prince John.

Chapter 15

Loyalty 7: In speaking to Prince John's followers, Waldemar Fitzurse uses ambition to trump loyalty to the King. He insists that upon Richard's return, the King will seek to punish all who betrayed him during his absence. Fitzurse also rationalizes Prince John's dubious claim to the throne, by suggesting that many rulers have questionable claims and bloodlines. But his most powerful argument is that under John, they will have access to power and influence. The nobles allow their ambition to overthrow their loyalty to their rightful King.

Chapter 16

Loyalty 8: When the Black Knight comes upon the hermit, the Clerk of Copmanhurst, another unfaithful man of the cloth is revealed. Less refined than the Prior, the Clerk still disobeys his vows. He drinks and eats well, breaking the law of poverty, and his hunting breaks the laws of the forest. He should only be singing hymns to God, but he and the Knight share several drunken songs together which one would not hear in church. The Clerk tries to feign obedience and piety, but he is too jovial and fun-loving to deny the Black Knight food, drink, and song.

Chapter 19

Loyalty 9: Gurth renounces his master Cedric and slips off into the woods. Luckily, he leaves right before De Bracy's men capture the whole party, except for Wamba. When Gurth learns what has happened to his master, Gurth decides he must save Cedric. Despite having renounced his service to him, Gurth still feels a deep sense of loyalty to his master, and sets out to help him.

Chapter 21

Loyalty 10: During his imprisonment with Athelstane, Cedric tells him the story of part of their noble ancestors. It is the story of another disloyal brother, this one named Tosti. His alliance with the enemies of his brother, King Harold, brought him dishonor, defeat, and death.

Chapter 24

Loyalty 11: Rebecca despises the Templar's advances, and his plea that she forsake her religion and her family for him. To her, any religion which harbors a man like Bois-Guilbert has no worth. He has not only broken his particular vows, he also has no regard for common human decency. Rebecca, on the other hand, never wavers from her beliefs. She despises Bois-Guilbert for his deceitful nature.

Chapter 26

Loyalty 12: Wamba enters Front-de-Boeuf's castle disguised as a priest, and soon makes his way to the room that holds Athelstane and Cedric. They are delighted to see him, but Cedric gets angry when Wamba declares he will only change places with his master. He takes his devotion to his master seriously, and is following it to the letter. He will not change places with Athelstane. His decision is firm, and luckily Athelstane consents to Cedric's escape. Cedric reluctantly agrees to the kind act by his faithful servant.

Chapter 27

Loyalty 13: After the discovery of Cedric's escape, De Bracy and Front-de-Boeuf question Wamba. De Bracy likes him, and suggests the fool come to fight with him in the Crusades. Wamba declines, because he is still Cedric's servant and he feels a great allegiance to him.

Later, Brother Ambrose arrives at the castle. He tells De Bracy, Front-de-Boeuf, and Bois-Guilbert that the Prior is taken prisoner by the yeomen of the forest. But the Knights, one of them a Templar, are more concerned with fighting and saving their castle and themselves than with saving the priest.

Chapter 32

Loyalty 14: Despite the fact that Locksley's men are thieves and outlaws, they follow very equal and democratic processes when distributing the spoils from Front-de-Boeuf's castle. No one hides his loot; all is brought forward and pooled in the forest. Even the Black Knight is impressed with the honor and order of Locksley's band of outlaws.

Chapter 33

Loyalty 15: The Prior is a prisoner of Locksley. The holy man is horrified to meet the Clerk of Copmanhurst. He accuses him of profaning the holy rites, breaking his vows, and taking his commitment lightly. But the smart Clerk is quick to notice the hypocrisy of the Prior's statements, and calls the Prior a thief and a hypocrite. Neither are loyal to their vows, but at least the Clerk does not pretend to be.

Chapter 34

Loyalty 16: In a strange reversal, Prince John questions Waldemar Fitzurse for his willingness to capture and kill King Richard. He tells De Bracy that he respects the knight's refusal, worrying if someone who has so little respect for his familial blood will make a good chancellor. Prince John, a traitor himself, doesn't seem to know what he wants from his men. Even when they follow his orders, he questions their loyalty.

Chapter 36

Loyalty 17: Bois-Guilbert has great difficulty betraying Rebecca. He agrees, under persuasion, to testify and fight against her. But the Templar cannot just forsake her; he decides to appeal to her again. His honor seems not to be quite as questionable as Rebecca believes it to be.

Chapter 43

Loyalty 18: Ivanhoe is loyal to Rebecca, and he will repay her kindness to him. Despite his injury, he rushes to the trail, leaving the turbulent scene with Athelstane, Rowena, Cedric, and the King. It never crosses his mind to have someone fight in his place--he must do it himself, for he owes it to her.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice

Chapter 1

Prejudice 1: After the Normans conquered the Saxons, the Saxons were forced to live under many oppressive rules. The elevation of the Norman language served to cut the Saxons off from the court and the courts of law. The Saxons were branded as unintelligent speakers of a "lesser" language:

"In short, French was the language of honour, chivalry, and even of justice, while the far more manly and expressive Anglo-Saxon was abandoned to the use of rustics and hinds, who knew no other." Chapter 1, pg. 3 The hatred between the two groups runs deep. The Normans like to make fun of the Saxon's customs and dress, and the Saxons deeply resent the changes the Normans have brought to their homeland.

One such change is the introduction of forest laws, which Gurth rails against. His dog Fangs limps from recently having his claws and part of his paws cut off, to keep him from hunting. The Normans imposed strict rules on who may hunt, and the Saxon dogs were subject to this disabling practice.

Chapter 2

Prejudice 2: When Gurth and Wamba are late returning home, Cedric immediately jumps to the conclusion that Normans must have kidnapped them. Gurth is a swineherd, and in charge of a large herd of Cedric's animals. Since the Normans have taken so much from him already, it is easy for him to believe that they stole his pigs, his jester, and his swineherd too. Of course they didn't; Wamba and Gurth are just late. Unfortunately, Cedric is not totally wrong in his prejudice. One reason why his servants are late is because of Fangs, lamed by the Normans.

Chapter 5

Prejudice 3: Cedric believes in all the prejudices about Jews--they are weak, cowards, and usurers. But he at least allows Isaac to enter his house, and eat with them (though far removed.) The Prior and the Templar are horrified that a Jew will be in their midst. When he enters, Isaac is stooped from all the groveling his hated status forces him to do. No one will give him a seat at the table, except for the Pilgrim. And certainly no one will talk to the Jew. Bois-Guilbert insults him as he leaves the room.

Chapter 6

Prejudice 4: During this period of time, no group was greater persecuted than the Jews:

"Upon the slightest and most unreasonable pretenses, as well as upon accusations the most absurd and groundless, their persons and property were exposed to every turn of popular fury; for Norman, Saxon, Dane, and Briton, however adverse these races were to each other, contended which should look with greatest detestation upon a people whom it was accounted a point of religion to hate, to revile, to despise, to plunder, and to persecute." Chapter 5, pg. 52

The monarchy and nobles often resorted to torture to force Jews to pay out money. But unable to own land, money-lending was the only profession open to their people, and the Jews flourished at it, despite the setbacks. For this they were despised.

Chapter 7

Prejudice 5: Isaac tries to disrupt the social and religious hierarchy in his attempt to find a good seat for himself and his daughter. Hating the Saxons, Prince John demands Cedric's clan make way for the Jews. Before a full-fledged fight breaks out, Wamba steps in. He flashes pork in the Jew's face, and Isaac falls. Humiliated by a jester, he and his daughter are forced to take lesser seats.

Chapter 10

Prejudice 6: Isaac and Rebecca have different attitudes toward their harsh situations. Isaac fits the Jewish stereotype in that he does not like to part with his money. Therefore, he is very agitated when people like Prince John force him to lend money to them. The prejudice of others has hardened him, though he is still full of love for his daughter. She has a different perspective, and can see how dependent the Gentiles are upon the Jews. Without them, money would dry up and the economy would stumble. She takes comfort in the Jews' purpose and usefulness in the world.

Chapter 14

Prejudice 7: Prince John is treacherous and cowardly, likely to make a poor ruler. One of the few examples of his authority was a disastrous trip to Ireland. His father sent him to form alliances and ensure peace with these new English subjects. But instead John laughed at the customs of the Irish leaders, and pulled their beards! Such disrespectful behavior ruined relations between the two peoples for generations.

Chapter 22

Prejudice 8: Of all the prisoners at Front-de-Boeuf's castle, the only one threatened with torture is Isaac, the Jew. Front-de-Boeuf demands money from Isaac, insulting him and telling him he will be tortured unless he gives in. The Jews' profession does make them needed, as Rebecca suggested, but it also makes them very vulnerable to attack and intimidation. In fact, Front-de-Bouef contends that a Jew is easiest to punish and torture, because his life is worth nothing.

Chapter 23

Prejudice 9: When De Bracy accosts Lady Rowena with his feelings for her, he also insults her people. She is a lowly Saxon, so he believes she should immediately defer to the wishes of a Norman. He cannot understand why she would not want to marry one, for how else could she achieve wealth, honor and power? He imagines her home to be like a country farm, which anyone would yearn to leave. It does not even cross his mind that her Saxon heritage, her family, and her honor might be important to her. Also, he assumes that being Norman is the only road to prosperity and respect. Saxons, to him, are merely lower-class citizens.

Chapter 28

Prejudice 10: A flashback of the events directly following the tournament reveals that even the good Knight Ivanhoe is prejudiced against the Jews. When he first sees his kind nurse Rebecca, he looks upon her with affection and admiration. But after she tells him she is Jewish, such feelings evaporate. He is cold and courteous. Rebecca, on the other hand, treats him no differently once his distaste for her people is made obvious.

When Ivanhoe suggests ways he can repay her for her generosity, Rebecca suggests he try to believe that a Jew may do something for a Gentile and want nothing in return, save God's blessing. This is how Rebecca lives, and she wishes for Ivanhoe to open his eyes to the goodness of her people.

Chapter 29

Prejudice 11: When Rebecca questions what could make men fight so, spilling the blood of others, Ivanhoe tells her that she is a Jew, and therefore cannot understand. He insists that only Christians can attain the high feelings that make up chivalry. This argument of Ivanhoe's is reminiscent of the Norman-Saxon conflict. Each side believes the other incapable of feeling certain emotions or embracing certain values. The Normans think the Saxons are dumb, unchivalric, and old-fashioned, while the Saxons think the Normans are cruel and have no sense of history.

Chapter 33

Prejudice 12: The Prior insults Isaac, and sets his ransom very high, assuming that all Jews have ample money. This assumption causes him to treat Isaac more harshly.

Chapter 36


Prejudice 13: Rebecca's fate is especially sealed because she is Jewish. The Grand Master feels that her death will be an offering, to atone for the recent sins of the order of Templars. Her religion is also used as proof against her, further condemning her as a sorceress.

Chapter 37

Prejudice 14: During her trial, most of the "proof" against Rebecca has to do with her religion. Her language, her alphabet, her clothing, and her ability to heal are all entered as proof. Unfortunately for her, all but the latter are prejudices. There is little Rebecca can do to defend herself against such charges.

Chapter 39

Prejudice 15: Bois-Guilbert wishes that Rebecca were Christian, so that they could be together. This angers Rebecca, for she tells Bois-Guilbert that it is he and his people who have made hers so hated. The Jewish people are not mean and terrible; rather Christians like the Templars have portrayed them to be.

Chapter 42

Prejudice 16: Even in the presence of King Richard, Cedric will not bow or break his vow. To him, a Norman is a Norman, despite how good a man he may be. Cedric's prejudices against the Normans are strong.

Chapter 44

Prejudice 17: With King Richard back in power, the Saxons are given fairer treatment. Oppressive laws are lessened, and the generations of tensions between the two groups begin to erode. The wedding of Ivanhoe and Rowena further strengthens these bonds. Ivanhoe, though Saxon born, has strong ties to the Norman King Richard. Both Normans and Saxons attend the wedding, and in the years to come the two groups become entwined in terms of language and culture. The two groups get to know each other, and prejudices and hard feelings disappear.

Chapter 1

In ancient England, there is a large forest that is the site of much history and the home to many rebels. This forest lies between Sheffield and Doncaster. The time of our story is near the end of the reign of Richard I in the twelfth century. The King has long been a prisoner in a foreign land, and in his absence his subjects were forced to live under an oppressive rule. The nobles, who had once exercised great power, began to do so again, increasing their wealth and property, and threatening the freedom of the lower classes. Hoping to gain more vassals, they put the franklins--free landowners not of the noble class--in a difficult and dangerous position. The franklins could find protection with a noble, but at the risk of losing the land and independence so important to the English people.

The Conquest by Duke William of Normandy in 1066 had worsened the class divide. The Normans had become the rulers of the once dominant Anglo-Saxons. After the battle of Hastings, the Saxons were forced from the land of their ancestors. Language became a form of oppression, as the Normans allowed only French for legal and royal proceedings, making French the language of the learned and heroic. The new ruling class did all in its power to subordinate the Anglo-Saxons and a rift grew between the classes, as:

"The royal policy had long been to weaken, by every means, legal or illegal, the strength of a part of the population which was justly considered as nourishing the most inveterate antipathy to their victor." Chapter 1, pg. 2

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 1

At sunset one day, two figures make their way through a dense forest. The older one wears a simple garment made of animal hide, whose rough texture increases the seemingly wild nature of this man. On his belt he carries several knives, and a ram's horn for blowing. He wears a brass ring around his neck. The swineherd's ring says: "Gurth, the son of Beowulph, is the born thrall of Cedric of Rotherwood." Chapter 1, pg. 5 The other figure is a younger man who wears brightly colored clothes, and a brass collar himself, which reads: "Wamba, the son of Witless, is the thrall of Cedric of Rotherwood." Chapter 1, pg. 5 His bell and cap mark him as a jester, belonging to a wealthy noble. The serf, Gurth, is a sad man, a dark contrast to his bright companion Wamba. They speak in Anglo-Saxon, a dialect which marks their low class.

Gurth calls for his dog Fangs, and begins to herd his swine. Gurth curses the Norman practice of declawing Saxon dogs, and the two men joke about the pleasantries of the Norman-French language. The best of everything goes to the Normans, and the two feel lucky that their Saxon owner Cedric has stood proud as a Saxon in these troubled times. They worry that a powerful Norman, Reginald Front-de-Boeuf is returning to their area. Wamba jokes about telling Front-de-Boeuf or Philip de Malvoisin about Gurth's disregard for the ruling class. At the sound of horses, the two men retreat.

Chapter 2

Soon the horsemen are upon them. The most important one of the group is a monk, decked out in clothes too fine for his order. He wears a fine long cape, and his sleeves are trimmed with fur. Traveling with him is a lay brother riding a beautiful horse, and a dark-skinned man, his dress a mixture of monastic robe and military garb. Several squires accompany them, as well as two attendants, dark-skinned men from the Orient. Wamba recognizes the monk as the Prior of Jorvaulx Abbey, also called the Prior Aymer, known for his un-monk-like behavior.

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 1

Speaking in the mixed language of French and Saxon, the primary means of communication between the classes, the Prior asks Wamba and Gurth if they know of someone who would give him and his companions a night's lodgings. Wamba jokingly suggests a hermitage, but the Prior insists on something better. Cedric is the Prior's franklin, so he requests directions to Cedric's home. Gurth tries to resist the request, and makes excuses. One of the attendants threatens Gurth, so the Prior decides to try his luck with Wamba. Wamba gives them the wrong directions, and the group heads off.

Gurth doesn't mind Wamba's deception. He fears the womanizing Prior will see the Lady Rowena and also the quarrelsome Cedric meeting with the irritable group. The group, now speaking in elevated Norman-French, discusses what just passed. The dark-skinned man, a Templar, asks the Prior why he was so easy with the two. The Prior answers that to hurt the jester could hurt his master too, who is:

"Proud, fierce, jealous, and irritable, a withstander of the nobility, and even of his neighbors, Reginald Front-de-Boeuf and Philip Malvoisin, who are no babes to strive with. He stands up so sternly for the privileges of his race, and is so proud of his uninterrupted descent from Hereward, a renowned champion of the Heptarchy, that he is universally called Cedric the Saxon; and makes boast of his belonging to a people from whom many others endeavour to hide their descent, lest they should encounter a share of the voe victis, or severities imposed upon the vanquished." Chapter 2, pg.17.

The Templar then speaks of the Lady Rowena, and his desire to see this beautiful woman. He thinks the Prior to be a great judge of such beauty, and so his curiosity is much heightened. He fears her father, but the Prior tells him that Cedric is not her father; Rowena is descended from a higher lineage. Still related to Cedric, he acts as her guardian. The two men then bet on how beautiful the lady will be. They reach a fork in the road, and cannot remember the way. A man lies in the road, and they ask him the way. The Palmer leads them on the right road, and they are soon at Rotherwood. The mansion is protected by moats and walls, so the Templar blows his horn outside the gate.

Chapter 3

Inside Rotherwood, Cedric's home, the table is set for dinner. The hall is rather crude, the roof thatched and the floor dirt; smoke from the chimney often drifts inside. But its simplicity matches that of the Saxon period. On a slightly raised platform is the seat for the family, along with any important guests. Cedric the Saxon sits on this platform, annoyed that the evening meal is late. Though sixty years of age, Cedric is a strong and robust man:

"Pride and jealousy there was in his eye, for his life had been spent in asserting rights which were constantly liable to invasion; and the prompt, fiery, and resolute disposition of the man had been kept constantly upon the alert by the circumstances of his situation." Chapter 3, pg. 23

He wears the Saxon dress, a tunic trimmed with poor fur, and peasant-style sandals. He has several servants and attendants who buzz around the hall, including several dogs. Lady Rowena is still changing her clothes, having just returned from Mass. Cedric is worried about Gurth, who had not yet returned. The swineherd is responsible for many swine, which are vulnerable to thieves. Also, his clown Wamba was not even present to offer him amusement. He continually questions Lady Rowena's maid, who assures him that the young woman will be out shortly. Having no one to bother about Wamba and Gurth, Cedric bitterly assumes that some Norman lord has taken them. He invokes the name of Wilfred, his great ancestor.

The sound of a horn rouses Rotherwood. A servant announces the Prior Aymer of Jorvaulx, the knight Brian de Bois-Guilbert, commander of the order of the Knight's Templars, and their attendants. On their way to a tournament at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, they request lodging for the night. Annoyed that these Normans requested lodging, Cedric nonetheless follows the rules of hospitality, and allows them in. But he tells his servant:

"Say to them, Hundebert, that Cedric would himself bid them welcome, but he is under a vow never to step more than three steps from the dais of his own hall to meet any who shares not the blood of Saxon royalty." Chapter 3, pg. 27

Cedric and an attendant discuss their new guests. The Prior is known for his carnal indulgences, as is the Templar. But Bois-Guilbert is also known for his bravery, and his cruelty. So say other soldiers returning from Palestine. Elgitha, Lady Rowena's maid, tells Cedric how interested the Lady is in the actions in Palestine. This greatly upsets Cedric, who thinks of his defiant son. He briefly considers asking about him, but sternly remembers that such a son is and always will be nothing to him.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 2
Topic Tracking: Loyalty 2

Chapter 4

For the evening meal, the Prior puts on even fancier dress, as does the dark-skinned Knight Templar, Bois-Guilbert. Following them are their attendants, and the simply dressed Palmer, who sits with the servants. Cedric takes his three steps forward at their arrival, and the Prior criticizes him for being so steadfast. Cedric seats his two guests just below him.

At this time Gurth returns, and is greeted with both relief and anger by Cedric. Wamba stands up for Gurth, blaming their late arrival on Fangs. The Norman Sir Philip de Malvoisin had de-fanged Fangs, removing his fore-claws, as was the cruel custom of the rulers at that time. This infuriates the proud Cedric.

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 3

Turning attention to the meal, Cedric has a bountiful spread. The Lady Rowena then enters, and the Templar quietly tells the Prior that he won the bet--she is beautiful. The Lady has pale skin and blue eyes, with a noble character to her face and movement. Her dress and jewelry only complement her exquisite beauty. She notices the Templar watching her, and pulls on her veil. Cedric uses the opportunity to scold the Templar. The Prior then invites the Lady and Cedric to the tournament, but Cedric doubts they would attend such a silly English game. He turns down their offer of escort, choosing instead to travel with his relation Athelstane of Coningsburgh.

The group continues to eat and drink. Lady Rowena asks for news from Palestine. Wamba interrupts Bois-Guilbert, and the angry Templar recognizes Wamba. All is interrupted by news of a new guest at the gates, whom Cedric allows inside.

Chapter 5

The new guest is a Jew named Sir Isaac of York. This causes quite a stir amongst the group, and many insults, but the Jew is still allowed into the hall. Sir Isaac is bent from constant humble stooping, his sharp features wrinkled with age. He wears simple clothes and no weapon. Cedric and his party admit him with little ceremony, coolly ignoring him. He is offered no place at the table, except by the Palmer, who forfeits his place for the Jew.

At the table, the Templar questions Cedric's neglect of Norman-French, to which Cedric responds with much trumpeting of his own race, language, and history. They then begin to speak of noble soldiers who fought for the Cross in the Holy Land. The Templar suggests that his order is the pinnacle of bravery, but the Palmer praises the English, including King Richard. This angers the Templar but delights Cedric. The Palmer then names the valiant English soldiers, nearly all of Saxon blood. The last is the Knight of Ivanhoe, whom the angry Bois-Guilbert wishes he could fight in the tournament. Both the Pilgrim and Lady Rowena speak of and defend Ivanhoe's honor. The Prior, disliking conflict, does his best to change the subject and calm rising tempers.

After dinner, the Templar asks the Jew if he is attending the tournament. When he says yes, the Templar immediately accuses him of cruel usury, but Isaac said he was just going to seek the help of a friend.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 3

Chapter 6

Before bed, Lady Rowena sends for the Palmer, looking for knowledge of the Holy Land, and specifically of Ivanhoe. All the Palmer knows is that the knight has averted his enemies, and is on his way home to England. The Lady pays him with gold and sends him on his way. The Palmer's quarters are between the Jew's and Gurth's. The Palmer is thankful to have a wall between him and the Jew, despite the kind action he paid the outcast at dinner. In the morning, the Palmer goes next door to warn the Jew to leave Rotherwood immediately. The Templar, he explains to Isaac, wants to do him harm. The Palmer then offers to guide him, and asks Gurth to let them out. Gurth objects, but quickly agrees after the Palmer whispers something in his ear.

During the ride the Jew is still fearful, the mistreatment of his people fresh in his mind. The Palmer agrees to take the Jew as far as Sheffield, where Isaac has a relative. Isaac thanks his guide, but proclaims himself too poor to offer much. The Palmer insists he wants nothing in return, but Isaac offers him a good horse and harness. Even though the horse and harness could be lost in the tournament, money-conscious Isaac still insists.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 4

Chapter 7

England is a sad nation at this time. King Richard is a prisoner of the Duke of Austria. In his absence his brother Prince John rules, allied with Philip of France, Richard's enemy. John does all he can to make Richard's imprisonment a very long one. He also works to secure his total domination should the King die, because John is not the rightful heir. His faithful men are criminals who are fearful of Richard's punishment, returning warriors anxious for conflict at home, and bands of forest outlaws. The nobles live well under John, and borrow great sums from the Jews. Money troubles and disease are common, but a tournament can help lift the nation's spirits. Richly decorated, grand pavilions and tents stand at the ready. Bois-Guilbert, Front-de-Boeuf, and de Malvoisin are among the competitors. Spectators sit in the galleries, grouped according to rank, race, or religion. There are many beautiful maidens, one of whom will be chosen as the Queen of Beauty and of Love. She will preside over the day's contests.

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 4

In the contest for seating, Isaac boldly tries for a good seat with his daughter Rebecca. Isaac knows that the nobles' need for his money will keep him safe for the day, and presses forward. All is interrupted when Prince John rides in. He is accompanied by several Knights Templar, and Knights of St. John. Both orders are loyal to Philip of France, and therefore enemies of King Richard. France and England disagree over Palestine, and all of Richard's attempts to take Jerusalem were therefore thwarted by Philip. The two Orders therefore pledged themselves to Prince John, whose distaste for the Saxons was well-known.

Philip's eye turns now to the beautiful Rebecca. Clothed in Eastern dress, she has lovely dark skin and hair, with delicate and noble features. Prince John is quite overcome, but the Prior keeps reminding him that Rebecca is a Jewess. Nevertheless, the Prince tries to get her a good seat. He offers the seat belonging to Cedric's clan, which is filled with Cedric's family. Athelstane is there, a hulking and slow-witted man, who does not at first understand the Prince's request. The Prince asks the mercenary knight de Bracy to make Athelstane move his seat. But Cedric fends him off, much to the embarrassment of the Prince. A yeoman joins the fray, further bothering the already annoyed Prince. Now the Jews move to good seats, but Wamba stands between them, and causes Isaac to tumble down the stairs! Isaac and Rebecca then remain in the lower seats, mocked by all.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 5

Chapter 8

Now comes the business of naming the Queen of Love and of Beauty. The Prior is shocked by the Prince's suggestion of the Jewess Rebecca, and offers instead the beautiful Saxon Rowena. Willing to name Rebecca just to slight the Saxons, the Prince's attendants, especially Waldemar Fitzurse, are quick to criticize him. De Bracy suggests that the first conqueror name the Queen, and the Prince reluctantly agrees. The rules for the tournament are then laid out, with any newcomer able to challenge any of the five knights, with the victor of the day winning a horse and the right to name the Queen. Also, on the second day there will be a more general contest, between two bands of knights.

The contests begin, and the challengers to Bois-Guilbert, Malvoisin, and Front-de-Boeuf all fall from their horses. Grantmesnil's challenger swerves before their lances even meet! There are more contests, and more wins for the five knights. The five knights are not generally well-liked, and the crowd is uncertain how to cheer. Cedric most of all feels dishonored by these Norman knights. Unfortunately, Athelstane has no interest in the fight.

All seems over for the day, when one last challenger appears. Riding a black horse, with the Spanish word for "Disinherited" on his shield, the unknown knight rides in and chooses to fight Bois-Guilbert, one of the toughest competitors. Calling himself the Disinherited Knight, at the first encounter he and Bois-Guilbert tie. But in the second, both are hit; only the Templar falls. The Disinherited Knight goes on to best the other four knights, thus winning the day.

Topic Tracking: Bravery 1

Chapter 9

The Disinherited Knight turns down all requests to remove his mask. In the Prince's box, John and his attendants try to guess the Knight's identity. At the mere suggestion that he could be a soldier of Richard's, the Prince flies into worry, demanding to hear demonstrations of loyalty from those around him. Fitzurse assures him the knight did not resemble Richard in body type. The Knight appears before the Prince to receive his prize, but does not speak a word. He has to choose the Queen, and John suggests Fitzurse's daughter. But the Knight chooses on his own, and selects the Lady Rowena. Cedric, speaking for her, allows the Lady to take the position, but not to attend the accompanying banquet. The Knight also refuses the banquet. Before the Prince exits, he orders his men to guard the yeoman who bothered him earlier in the day. The crowds all disperse to enjoy the pleasures of the evening and wait for the games the next day.

Chapter 10

Despite much attention from squires and pages, the Disinherited Knight will still not show his face. He looks to his own squire for help, but this squire is masked like his master. After dinner, five men show up, wanting to speak with the Knight. The five men are the squires of the five challengers whom the Knight beat that day. They offer their masters' armor, according to the laws of chivalry. The Knight asks for a ransom, and accepts only half, offering the rest to the squires. Also, he will not accept anything from Brian de Bois-Guilbert, because he feels that they have not yet finished their fight.

The Knight calls his attendant Gurth, and Gurth he is! The Knight gives him some gold, and tells him to give it to Isaac the Jew. Gurth reluctantly agrees to find the Jew. In the town of Ashby, Isaac and his daughter stay with a Jewish family. Isaac is troubled, angry at the money Prince John forced him to give up. The unfairness of their situation as Jews frustrates him, but Rebecca feels differently:

"These Gentiles, cruel and oppressive as they are, are in some sort dependent on the dispersed children of Zion, whom they despise and persecute. Without the aid of our wealth they could neither furnish forth their hosts in war nor their triumphs in peace; and the gold which we lend them returns with increase to our coffers. We are like the herb which flourisheth most when it is most trampled on." Chapter 10, pg. 93

Isaac continues to pout as a visitor is announced. It is Gurth, with the money from the Disinherited Knight. Isaac is shocked to see a Christian repay a Jew. He and Gurth then haggle over the amount. As Gurth departs, Rebecca secretly stops him. She gives him money to repay the Knight, and some for himself! Gurth leaves happy, if a bit bewildered.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 6

Chapter 11

Gurth worries about his treasure as he makes his way through the woods alone. His fears are realized when four men jump out at him, insisting he turn over his money. Gurth tries to keep his master's money safe from the muggers, but they do not believe him, nor do they believe a Jew gave him money so freely. Examining his purse they find his tale to be true, and decide to let him fight for his freedom. After a long scuffle Gurth wins, and the thieves let him pass, on the condition he tells no one. Reaching the Knight's quarters, Gurth cannot help but tell his surprised master about the Jewess Rebecca and the thieves in the woods.

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 5

Chapter 12

The next morning the group battle is to begin. The Disinherited Knight will lead one group, and Bois-Guilbert the other. Cedric arrives with the Lady Rowena; Athelstane is preparing for the fight, having enlisted with the Templar. Athelstane, confident that he will marry Lady Rowena, feels he should do battle against the Knight who chose her as Queen of the tournament.

When the dust settles from the first blows, half of each side are down, though not all of them out. The carnage is enjoyed by the men and women alike, as they watch from the gallery. The two leaders keep trying to battle each other, but others get in their way. The Disinherited Knight's group is much weaker, and he finds himself quite outnumbered. One of his men, the Black Knight, who had before been sluggish, now springs into action. The Black Knight and the Disinherited Knight then go to work on the Templar's group, until Prince John calls an end to the bloody battle. Prince John wants to name the Black Knight the day's champion, but he has disappeared. With him gone, the Prince is forced to name the Disinherited Knight the winner for the second day. The Knight seems weak, and can barely resist when the marshals cut off his helmet, revealing his face. To the surprise of all, it is Ivanhoe, the disinherited son of Cedric! The Lady Rowena, who was to bestow the honors upon him, is terribly shocked. So too is Cedric, who hurries to separate the two. This is not necessary though, for a wound commanding attention is found in Ivanhoe's side.

Topic Tracking: Bravery 2

Chapter 13

Word of Ivanhoe's return spreads fast. When the Prince hears it, he thinks immediately of his brother King Richard, because Ivanhoe was one of his men. De Bracy remarks that Front-de-Boeuf will have to return Ivanhoe's castle and land, which he had been using in the Knight's absence. The nervous Prince again seeks to solicit words of loyalty from his men.

The subject changes to Lady Rowena's reaction to the sight of her lover. The Prince suggests they should try to ease her mind, maybe marry her to a good Norman. He invites her over for the evening party. At this time, a note arrives from France, announcing the freedom of King Richard!

The Prince nearly faints--his brother is free! He and his group plan to take action the next day but, during the evening, they will celebrate. Also, the archery contests have not yet been held. Prince John especially wants to see the annoying yeoman from the day before. The yeoman's name is Locksley, and he continues to annoy the Prince during the contest, taunting him. The Prince forces Locksley to face off with another archer, but Locksley is able to pierce the archer's brilliant shot! The Prince is furious, especially when Locksley hits an unbelievably hard target. The victorious Locksley manages to get away, thanks to Prince John's preoccupation with what will happen the following day . He orders a servant to make Isaac the Jew send him two thousand crowns before the sun sets.

Chapter 14

That night is the festival, and Prince John presides over the event. He tries to act the part of gracious host, but he is too irritable and vapid a man. Some time ago, his father sent him to Ireland, to court the local chieftains. But he was such a silly, careless man that he pulled the chieftains' strange long beards at the very first meeting. The Irishmen were not too happy, and England's relations with the country suffered greatly.

Lady Rowena does not attend the party with Cedric and Athelstane, and Prince John nearly laughs at their Saxon dress the way he laughed at the Irishmen. They, and other Norman nobles, also work hard to hold their tongues when their Saxon guests do not display the proper table manners. The Prince raises his goblet to Ivanhoe, but Cedric will not drink. His son left him to follow the Norman arts of chivalry, and to fight for a Norman king. He cannot forgive the smear to their Saxon heritage.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 7
Topic Tracking: Loyalty 6

As the meal progresses, the Norman's ridicule of Cedric becomes more vocal. He chastises his host's uncivil treatment, and stands up for his Saxon heritage, and the Saxon knight who had won the tournament. After a few courtesies pass, and the conflict seems smoothed, the Prince asks Cedric to name a worthy Norman. Fitzurse whispers to Cedric that he should name Prince John, but proud Cedric instead names the Prince's worst foe--his brother, King Richard! When most of the guests are gone, the Prince complains to Fitzurse that the courage of his men is failing with Richard so close, and he fears all is lost. But Fitzurse wonders about the bravery and steadfastness of the Prince himself.

Topic Tracking: Bravery 3

Chapter 15

Fitzurse talks to the Prince's men, trying to convince them to remain loyal. The Prince is promising them much in return for their loyalty, and Fitzurse waves all these potential goodies in front of them again. The King, upon his return, would most certainly punish all those who sided with Prince John and France. But he would be weak, and without an army. Fitzurse argues that the Prince's men could easily stand up to Richard. He shoves aside questions about the King as the rightful ruler, offering up other examples of questionable bloodlines around England and elsewhere. The Prince's followers agree to attend the upcoming planning meeting at York, though still reluctantly. The meeting's plans include setting up a time and place to crown John king!

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 7

In the evening Fitzurse runs into de Bracy, dressed in a yeoman's garb. He plans on stealing himself a bride--the beautiful Lady Rowena! He plans to re-enact an old story of bride stealing, breaking her from her family and taking the Saxon lady for himself. He plans to grab her during the family's travels from castle to castle. He has arranged for a band of men to take her; then he will rescue her from the group, carry her to Front-de-Boeuf's castle, and marry her. Fitzurse admires the brash plan, though he fears Bois-Guilbert, who formed the idea and will be a major player, may take the Lady Rowena for himself. De Bracy does not worry, as Bois-Guilbert is a Templar, and unable to have a woman. De Bracy promises that this work will not interfere with the meeting at York, but Fitzurse can only smile sadly at the foolish knight, with such questionable priorities and little sense of honor.

Chapter 16

The Black Knight, who quickly left the tournament, continues through the forests. Bored, perhaps with no lady love to think about, the Black Knight looks for lodging or company. He lets his horse forge the path, and before nightfall he arrives at a crude hut. A clear fountain of water flows nearby, and the ruins of a small chapel sit in a heap. All is peace and quiet. Since it is a hermit's duty to give hospitality to travelers, the Black Knight feels very lucky.

It takes a long time for the hermit to answer, and when he does it is with no good news. He tells the Knight that he has very little to offer in the way of food or comfort, and he should move along. The Knight asks at least to be shown the correct path, but the hermit will not even do that. At the threat of having his door broken in, the hermit finally opens it. The hermit is big and shaggy, roughly dressed, and he holds two big and shaggy dogs. The hermit's home is very meager, just as he had said. As he sits down to a small meal, the Knight removes his helmet, revealing a handsome face and piercing blue eyes. The hermit then throws back his hood, revealing a bald monastic head and a face a bit too jolly and round for a monk. The Knight is suspicious, and asks for some liquor. The hermit produces a jug of water from the fountain. They exchange names--the Holy Clerk of Copmanhurst for the monk, and the Sluggish Knight for our friend. The hermit pulls out some food, claiming it is from his keeper. The knight plays along, and gulps up much of the venison pastry the hermit brought out. The knight shares with his host, claiming it is a foreign custom they must follow. The hermit partakes, glad for the knight's discreet invitation to dine. Such food is usually off-limits for a hermit. Then, the same request from the Knight makes the hermit bring out some wine. The Knight tries to find out if the hermit hunts, which is against the law. At first he swears he does not, then he shows the Knight his collection of weapons. Pulling out a harp, the hermit readies himself to play. The two men are friendly in spite of their odd meeting and conversation.

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 8

Chapter 17

The Black Knight plays the harp. He sings a ballad called "The Crusader's Return," which tells of love and loss. In return, the hermit plays a song called "The Barefooted Friar," which details all the worldly pleasures of which the friar partakes.

Chapter 18

The story now shifts to the Saxons. Cedric considers taking care of Ivanhoe, but he decides instead to have his servant Oswald keep tabs on him. He loses track of Ivanhoe, but recognizes Gurth, and brings him to Cedric. Oswald learns that Ivanhoe is well-cared for, and Cedric's worried heart quickly turned angry again at his son's dishonor. The Lady Rowena stands up for Ivanhoe's honor and bravery, for she loves him deeply. But Cedric will have none of it, and he leaves for the Prince's party--Lady Rowena refuses to go.

They feast and do not leave until the next day. Upon leaving, they notice a thin black dog trying to tag along. The Saxons are superstitious, and believe this is a bad omen. But the dog is only Fangs, and Cedric strikes the dog with his javelin. Shortly after, Gurth asks Wamba to tell Cedric that he renounces his service to him. Wamba refuses. In the front of the party, the subjects are more grand. Cedric and Athelstane discuss the possibility of a Saxon restoration during the upcoming uprising, and the need to start mobilizing and uniting their kinsmen. An alliance between Athelstane and Rowena would be a good start, and Cedric intends to promote one. The Lady Rowena and Ivanhoe had been in love, and this was why Cedric banished him. But Rowena is used to being in charge, as she rules as head of the family. Therefore she resents this whole affair, and dull Athelstane as well. She does not want to be a queen, and would rather enter a convent than marry Athelstane. Ivanhoe's reappearance does not help Cedric:

"The sudden and romantic appearance of his son in the lists at Ashby he had justly regarded as almost a death's blow to his hopes. His paternal affection, it is true, had for an instant gained the victory over pride and patriotism; but both had returned in full force, and under their joint operation he was now bent upon making a determined effort for the union of Athelstane and Rowena, together with expediting those other measures which seemed necessary to forward the restoration of Saxon independence." Chapter 18, pg. 162

Athelstane's nickname was the Unready--not coward or lazy, but unready, and slow to act, even in the name of his Saxon heritage.

Chapter 19

The group continues on its way through the woods. They do not fear the bands of outlaws who inhabit the woods, because both Saxons and outlaws share a common bond in their oppression. The group do hear several cries for help, and find an old Jewish man and a young Jewish woman, a stretcher and their belongings strewn about them on the ground. It seems that the man, Isaac, had hired bodyguards as guides through the forests but, upon hearing a rumor that a band of outlaws were near, the bodyguards fled and took the horses of both father and daughter. Isaac asks if he and his daughter could travel with them, but Athelstane remembers the Jew's behavior at the tournament, and speaks sharply to him. Cedric offers them several servants as guides, but Rebecca begs Rowena for help, as they are carrying a sick man with them. Kind-hearted Rowena agrees, and allows them to join their group.

During the commotion caused by the new additions, Gurth is able to escape, thanks to a poorly-fastened chain. There is no time to look for him, and the group continues on. At a pass, they are ambushed by a band of outlaws! All are taken prisoner, despite the efforts of Cedric, Athelstane, and even Wamba, who tries to fight. Wamba escapes, and while deciding what to do he runs into Gurth. Gurth, despite having just renounced Cedric, now suggests they hurry to free him. But they are stopped by the yeoman Locksley from the tournament. Locksley checks things out, and offers his aid. They accept, and go with him.

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 9
Topic Tracking: Bravery 4

Chapter 20

After several hours the three arrive amongst a group of yeoman. Locksley leads Wamba and Gurth to see the Friar. Before departing, he orders his men to collect themselves, and to watch the group heading toward Front-de-Boeuf's.

Loud singing comes from the hermit's home. Gurth heard of the Friar before, and knew him to be a superb hunter, though the act was illegal. Inside, the Black Knight puts his helmet back on, and the hermit hides the banquet and approaches the door. Realizing it is Locksley, the hermit relaxes. But Locksley scolds him for letting in an unknown knight. The friar changes his monk's cloak for his woodsman's attire, saying:

"I will but confess the sins of my green cloak to my grey friar's frock, and all shall be well again." Chapter 20, pg. 174

Recognizing the Black Knight from the tournament, Locksley asks him for aid in rescuing Cedric the Saxon, Athelstane, and the rest of their party. The Knight agrees, but is shocked to hear that Front-de-Boeuf is implicated in the treachery.

Chapter 21

Now, as darkness falls, the thieves continue through the forest with their captives. The way is confusing, and they often seem lost. Bois-Guilbert tells De Bracy that he should leave them now, if he means to act the part of rescuer later. But De Bracy has changed his mind, fearful that one of the Templars might break their vow and take his prize. But Bois-Guilbert tells him not to worry--what he wants is the Jewess Rebecca!

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 10

The group arrives at Torquilstone, Front-de-Boeuf's castle. Cedric begs his captors to let Rowena go free in their place, but they are silent. In fact, she is separated from them, just as Rebecca is separated from her father Isaac. Cedric and Athelstane are jailed in a large hall, which has a rich history for Cedric. His grandfather, and one of Athelstane's ancestors, had dined there at a great banquet. Tosti, the rebellious brother of Saxon King Harold, sent an envoy to see if the two could reconcile. Tosti had allied himself with the Norwegians, who were Harold's enemies. Harold offered to take Tosti back, and to give the Norwegians seven feet of English land. Soon Tosti and the King of Norway both fell in battle to the Saxons, but sadly this triumph was short-lived. Soon the Normans advanced, taking the Saxons' land, and oppressing them ever since.

But all silly Athelstane cares about is his empty stomach, and Cedric listens to his whining with growing frustration and impatience. Athelstane's heritage destines him for great things, but his personality moves him towards more ordinary goals, like a full stomach. While eating their small meal, they are interrupted by three blows of a horn, from outside the castle.

Chapter 22

The Jew, Sir Isaac, rests in a much worse cell than the two Saxons. But in many ways he is so used to abuse, that his hearty soul can withstand the horrible conditions. Front-de-Boeuf, scarred and strong, enters the cell with several black slaves. Isaac is terrified by these guests, and cannot move. Front-de-Boeuf demands of the Jew a thousand silver pounds, or gold. Isaac insists that neither he nor his kinsmen have that kind of money to offer. Front-de-Boeuf does not believe Isaac's claims of poverty, and tells his slaves to prepare the torture--stretching over a hot fire. Front-de-Boeuf tells him how little he cares for the sorrows of a Jew, how he has seen Christians suffer and done less. At the final threat of torture, Isaac gives in. He begs Front-de-Boeuf to let the Saxons go, but the villain refuses. Isaac then begs for his daughter Rebecca, but Front-de-Boeuf has already given her to Bois-Guilbert, thinking she was Isaac's lover. Isaac yells and begs for her, insisting that no woman is safe with a Templar. Front-de-Boeuf yells at this blasphemy of a sacred order, cursing the Jew. Just when the Jew is about to be stretched over the fires, three blows of a horn interrupt them, and Front-de-Boeuf is called away. Isaac is left to ponder his luck, and his likely fate.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 8

Chapter 23

Lady Rowena's cell is a run-down ornamented room, once belonging to Front-de-Beouf's wife, now long dead. De Bracy, decked out in a ridiculously ornate costume, now approaches his love. He tells her the power she has over him, and that he is in love with her. Rowena is taken aback by his words and his audacity. He tells her who he is, and she replies:

"To heralds and to minstrels, then, leave thy praise, Sir Knight, more suiting for their mouths than for thine own; and tell me which of them shall record in song, or in book of tourney, the memorable conquest of this night, a conquest obtained over an old man, followed by a few timid hinds; and its booty, an unfortunate maiden transported against her will to the castle of a robber?" Chapter 23, pg. 196

Topic Tracking: Bravery 5

De Bracy thinks she is being very unfair, and he presses his case further. She scorns his gallant language, and constantly rebuffs his advances. She speaks proudly, but he insists she shall never leave the castle, except as his wife. He tells her to hold out no hope for her Saxon prince, as Front-de-Boeuf's rival, Ivanhoe is here, as prisoner! Injured Ivanhoe traveled in the Jew's sickbed, and was captured with all the rest of the group. Front-de-Boeuf is his rival not because of her, but from "...a jealousy of ambition and of wealth, as well as of love..." Chapter 23, pg. 198 Love does not interest him--Front-de-Boeuf plans to wreck anyone who tries to take Ivanhoe's land, which he now claims for himself. But, De Bracy proposes, if Rowena agrees to his marry him, Ivanhoe will be unharmed. Oppose him, and Ivanhoe will die, and Cedric as well.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 9

Unused to having her wishes diverted, Rowena is thoroughly confused and dissatisfied. Breaking down, she begins to cry. De Bracy takes pity on her, and feels embarrassed that he has been so hard. He is not unmoved by her tears, but fears that bending to her sorrow will hurt his goals. While trying to comfort her, he hears a horn blow outside the castle.

The narrator then breaks from the story to discuss the unfathomable cruelty of the Norman barons. He refers to a passage by Henry, a historian. During the reign of King Stephen, his Norman barons built castles, and filled them with wicked people who tortured citizens, in hopes of getting their money. Another story tells of the Empress Matilda, daughter of the King of Scotland. During her education in England, she was forced to pretend to be a nun, because this was the only way to stay safe amidst the wicked Normans. Truly these were wicked, tumultuous times.

Chapter 24

During all this, Rebecca waits in a high tower of the castle. An old sibyl is in the tower when Rebecca enters. She hums in Saxon, and jealously looks at her beautiful cell-mate. When asking her to move out, the men call her Dame Urfried. She hotly refuses to move, and they leave grumbling. She then turns to Rebecca, and by her speech recognizes her as a Jew. Rebecca asks her what will become of her, and Dame Urfried tells her own story. When she was young, Front-de-Boeuf's father stormed this castle, and her whole family died defending it. She became their prisoner, and has been here ever since. There is no escape.

Rebecca always feared the worst would come to her, that ill luck was fated to the Jew. She was humble to others, but still kept her pride fresh in her mind. So like her father, harsh circumstances were in some ways expected, and therefore easier to deal with. She felt prepared. She searches for a way out but finds none. The one window is useless for escape. Where one could be hopeless, she looks to God and hopes for mercy or salvation.

Courage is needed, for a masked man enters her chamber. She offers him jewelry, but he refuses. It is her beauty, not material things, he wants. He drops his mask, revealing Brian de Bois-Guilbert. He tells her he does not want to hurt her, but to adorn her and love her. She objects, citing their differences. They could never marry. Of course not, he retorts, for he is a Templar, and cannot marry. But all other sins can be easily absolved. She notes his hypocrisy, and he sharpens his tone. She threatens to tell about his proposed sin with a Jewess; he tells her no one within the castle will care, and she will never leave it. He tells her she should renounce her religion, but she cries out that any religion with the likes of him is none at all! At this, she jumps to the window, and perches above the abyss below. Her face and manner are calm at the possibility of such a fate, but the Templar talks her down with a promise of no harm.

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 11
Topic Tracking: Bravery 6

Bois-Gilbert begs Rowena for forgiveness, insisting he was not always so cruel. It was a woman who made him so, a woman named Adelaide de Montemare. He journeyed to fight for her, but when he returned, she was wedded to a petty Gascon squire, who had done nothing for her! In vengeance, he renounced his independence and became a Templar:

"The Templar loses, as thou hast said, his social rights, his power of free agency, but he becomes a member and a limb of a mighty body, before which thrones already tremble--even as the single drop of rain which mixes with the sea becomes an individual part of that restless ocean which undermines rocks and ingulphs mighty armadas." Chapter 24, pg. 211

This power feeds his ambition. The accumulation of wealth and power are things the order founders never thought of, preferring their fasts and old beliefs. He breaks off now, at the sound of the horn outside. But he promises to return again soon. Alone, Rebecca prays for the respite, for the safety of her father, and of the injured Christian. She catches herself in this prayer for a foe of her religion, but it is too late, the prayer already spoken.

Chapter 25

De Bracy and Bois-Guilbert meet in the castle hall. De Bracy complains about Rowena's great weeping, and Bois-Guilbert tells of Rebecca's fiery pride and strength. Front-de-Boeuf arrives, and the three look at a letter, written in Saxon. The Templar reads that it is from Wamba and Gurth. They, and their allies, including the Black Knight, and Robert Locksley, demand the release of all the prisoners, or else they will fight. Two hundred outlaws wait beyond the castle walls, and Front-de-Boeuf becomes nervous about the safety of his castle. Unfortunately most of their men are elsewhere; but without equipment to attack and climb, the outlaws should not be able to take the castle. But the Templar insists they send to York for more men. They write a letter to the outlaws, demanding they send a priest, for the prisoners need to be confessed before they are executed this morning. When the letter reaches them, only the Black Knight can decipher it. He suggests they send the hermit, but he violently objects. He feels more capable as outlaw than priest, and his Latin and prayers are nearly forgotten. Wamba jokes that he was once to be a friar, and offers his service. They dress him in proper attire, and instruct him to inspect the size of the opposition's forces.

Topic Tracking: Bravery 7

Chapter 26

Wamba gains access to the castle and, though afraid, plays his part well for Front-de-Boeuf. He is allowed to see Cedric and Athelstane, and offers his disguise to Cedric, so he may escape. Cedric wants it for Athelstane, but Wamba refuses. Only for his master will he risk his life. Cedric takes the disguise, with a short lesson from Wamba. But he is stopped by Rebecca who begs him to visit a sick prisoner in the castle. He claims he has not the time, and Urfried butts in, and orders Rebecca back to the sick man's bed. The old woman then acts as Cedric's guide.

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 12

Chapter 27

Urfried takes Cedric to another chamber, and tells him she knows he is Saxon, for she recognizes her native tongue. She then tells Cedric her story. She was born in quite another state: beautiful, young, free, and loved. She cannot help her hate, being that she, daughter of the noble Torquil, is now a slave. Cedric recognizes the name, for her father and his were friends. Urfried recognizes him too, as Cedric the Saxon. Her guilt is tremendous, for she was the lover, though not of her own will, of her family's killer. Cedric, at this dishonor, wonders at why she did not kill herself, rather than live so. The vengeful creature has seen much, even the killing of the elder Front-de-Boeuf by his own son! With the death of her "lover," she was left to age and rot high in the castle, with no one to listen to or obey her.

As Cedric tries to leave the vile and hateful woman, she threatens to tell Front-de-Boeuf. But brave Cedric calls her bluff. She speaks of a grand revenge she is planning, but Cedric tells her to seek repentance. But no, she cries:

"To act as I have acted, to think as I have thought, requires the maddening love of pleasure, mingled with the keen appetite of revenge, the proud consciousness of power--draughts too intoxicating for the human heart to bear, and yet retain the power to prevent...Well thou has said, all is possible for those who dare to die!" Chapter 27, pg. 232

Urfried tells Cedric that when his men see a red flag at this turret, then they may storm the castle, for Front-de-Boeuf's men will be unprepared, their hands already full. Shortly after this speech, they hear Front-de-Boeuf, and Urfried makes a quick exit. Front-de-Boeuf approaches the priest. He asks him to carry a message to Philip de Malvoisin, and have him send men to the castle. Cedric tries to stay in his role, but tosses back the coin Front-de-Boeuf gives him for payment. Front-de-Boeuf almost orders him killed, but realizes the priest is the only messenger he has. He then calls for Cedric and Athelstane to be brought before him.

Front-de-Boeuf does not recognize that this Cedric is false, but once Wamba opens his mouth, he is discovered a fool. De Bracy recognizes him, and guesses what has happened. Instead of a death sentence, De Bracy offers the fool freedom and a job, but Wamba says he cannot disobey his master. Athelstane negotiates a ransom, but it is denied to Wamba or the Lady Rowena. De Bracy laughs to hear that the lumbering Athelstane is engaged to Lady Rowena. All is interrupted by a real monk at the gate, Brother Ambrose, of the Prior's order. As they remove the prisoners, Athelstane challenges Front-de-Boeuf to a duel, to be held when his captivity is over. The monk's news is that the Prior is held prisoner by the woodsmen outlaws, and requires aid himself! Front-de-Boeuf pleads poverty, and then the monk warns of the outlaws' attempt to scale the castle walls. At this news, Front-de-Boeuf orders all to their posts, and readies for battle. Front-de-Boeuf's inadequate army prepares to defend the castle from the surprisingly well-organized outlaws.

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 13

Chapter 28

Now the narrator breaks from the story to inform us that when Ivanhoe fell at the tournament, it was Rebecca who insisted she and her father take him and care for him. Despite the taboo of Christian and Gentile mixing, Rebecca insisted that in the matter of caring for the sick, the taboo could be broken. Isaac was terribly worried something would happen to the knight, but Rebecca's knowledge of healing herbs and elixirs is excellent. Despite the danger of being noticed, Rebecca had Ivanhoe placed in her litter, and she mounted a horse. But it was from so visible a point that Bois-Guilbert spied her, sparking the genesis of these troubles.

Isaac and Rebecca took Ivanhoe to their dwelling, and Rebecca began her healing of him. Healing is well known to the Jewish people, but it did little to increase their standing. Rebecca was well-taught by the aged Miriam, and Rebecca's strong mind retained her teachings well--she was a gifted healer. Her beauty, intelligence, and talent made her well-respected in her tribe, and made her father likely to bend to her will. He wishes to keep Ivanhoe for a short time only, but Rebecca appeals to him--she could not share her secret formulas with another healer, and King Richard would likely look with favor on their aid to one of his favorites. Having loaned money to Prince John, Isaac could use such a protector when the King returned. Isaac agrees, and they keep the Knight.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 10
Topic Tracking: Bravery 8

That evening Ivanhoe awoke. He was surprised and enchanted by his healer, who quickly told him she was a poor Jewess. The way he looked at Rebecca, which would have made the Lady Rowena quite jealous, fell away: "Ivanhoe was too good a Catholic to retain the same class of feelings toward a Jewess." Chapter 28, pg. 249 Rebecca could not help but feel sadness as his soft look was replaced by cold courtesy. But her temperament remained the same, and she told him of the plan of moving him to York. He objected, not wanting to cause them more trouble. Ivanhoe inquired about Cedric and Lady Rowena, and the knight realized that it was Rebecca who kindly paid Gurth. He is pained to hear that faithful Gurth is back in Cedric's custody.

When it was time to travel, they moved quickly, but a dispute between their guides and Isaac left them vulnerable, and they were abandoned upon attack. As told earlier, this is how the Saxons found them, soon after the assault took place. De Bracy noticed that it was Ivanhoe in the litter, and took him along as captive as well. His code of honor kept him from hurting or betraying Ivanhoe, and he simply snuck him inside and gave his care to Urfried, who quickly discharged him to Rebecca.

Chapter 29

In the midst of such danger, Rebecca allows her feelings for Ivanhoe to surface. She enjoys his company, and only his cold tone brings her back to reality, a reality in which she can mean little to someone such as Ivanhoe. Ivanhoe realizes he is prisoner, and asks Rebecca about the Lady Rowena and Cedric. His thoughts are not for Rebecca or her father.

Now come the sounds of clashing armor and shouting men. Ivanhoe wishes he could see the action from the window, and Rebecca offers herself as watcher. Ivanhoe begs her not to set herself in such danger, but Rebecca approaches the window. She can see the castle men preparing their defense, and the outlaws also preparing, their archers standing ready. Strangely, they seem to have no leader, nor a unifying flag or shield. One Black Knight carries a shield with a symbol, and he is perhaps the leader. But they are quite anonymous. Arrows fly from both sides in heavy streams, and both sides fight strongly. The Knight and his men storm the castle, only to be thrown back by Front-de-Boeuf. Rebecca, though terrified, continues her reports to Ivanhoe, as the Black Knight falls! But he is up again, and Front-de-Boeuf's men help their leader back inside. The outlaws win this battle, but poor Rebecca cannot help but feel upset at the thought of God's creatures acting so viciously. Ivanhoe tells her to focus on the action outside, and be his eyes. The fighting continues, and the Black Knight pushes forward, like a great warrior. Now a pause, as the outlaws gather themselves in the outerwork they have won, and prepare for the next attack.

Ivanhoe stirs at the telling of such bravery, and Rebecca tries to quiet him. She asks him what all this vain action is good for, and he answers that it is glory, that is why they fight. It is chivalry, something which no Jew, he asserts, can comprehend.

Topic Tracking: Bravery 9
Topic Tracking: Prejudice 11

Ivanhoe sleeps now, and poor Rebecca tries to strike thoughts of him from her mind. She feels guilty that this Christian has been her priority, and not her elderly father. Quietly, she tries to regain her composure and proper frame of mind.

Chapter 30

Now, in the calm, De Bracy and Bois-Guilbert conference. Front-de-Boeuf will not live much longer. They discuss the battle, and De Bracy learns that the Templar and his men lost their post. The outlaws now have a good position from which to attack. De Bracy suggests they release the prisoners, but Bois-Guilbert flatly refuses. So they head back to the castle walls, for defense.

Meanwhile, Front-de-Boeuf lies injured, and for once in his life, calls on religion. But alas, there are no priests, and the few available are horribly corrupt. Suddenly, a haggard voice speaks to him, claiming to be his evil angel. The voice charges him with spurring Prince John to disloyalty, and murder. Worst of all, Front-de-Boeuf murdered his own father! The owner of the voice steps out of the shadows--it is the old sibyl, Ulrica. They argue, and she tells him the castle will soon be stormed, and destroyed, for she has set it on fire! Her revenge complete, she then leaves, locking the door behind her. Escape is futile for the dishonored Knight. He yells for help as the flames come. He hears voices and becomes quite mad.

Chapter 31

Outside, Cedric tells Locksley and the Black Knight about Ulrica's promise. They need to storm the castle--Athelstane, Lady Rowena, and poor Wamba are in danger! The Friar agrees that action is necessary. They take the outerwork, and in time assemble a raft with which to cross the moat. When complete, the assault continues, with the poorly- armored Cedric helping to lead the way inside. While the outlaws try to break down the door, Ulrica raises the flag, but De Bracy begins to push at heavy stones above, making the work below very dangerous. But Bois-Guilbert tells him all is lost, the castle is on fire. They plan to rush out the door, pushing everyone aside. They will abandon the castle.

De Bracy and the Black Knight fight outside. When De Bracy is struck down, he agrees to surrender only if he may know the Black Knight's identity, which the Knight whispers to him. He then warns the Knight that Ivanhoe languishes above, and will surely perish if not rescued. Up in the tower, Rebecca and Ivanhoe notice the fire but, despite his urging, Rebecca refuses to leave her patient. Suddenly, the Templar enters, and carries her off. Ivanhoe's yelling draws in the Black Knight, who takes Ivanhoe, despite his demands the Knight save Rebecca, or Rowena, or Cedric instead. But Cedric finds Rowena and frees her, and Wamba frees himself and Athelstane.

The Templar and Rebecca are in the castle court. Mistaking her for Rowena, Athelstane attacks, and receives a violent blow to the head. Realizing he cannot save de Bracy, Bois-Guilbert rides off.

Topic Tracking: Bravery 10

Up in the castle, Ulrica, crazy and violent, sings wicked hymns. Flames engulf the castle, whose turrets begin to crumble and fall. She can be seen from below, until the tower crashes, killing her and Front-de-Boeuf. Locksley cheers the castle's demise, and tells his men to collect their spoils and bring them to the forest for equal division among the men.

Chapter 32

In the morning, the outlaws meet in the forest. The spoils are large, but all Locksley's men follow his orders. Only the outlaw priest is missing--they fear he has perished in the castle's wine cellar. Locksley sends men to search for him. Then, he offers Cedric half the spoils, but Cedric is busy mourning for Athelstane, who is dead. Cedric waits impatiently to return home with the Lady Rowena. He does not want the wealth, only to show his gratitude. Cedric does give reward to others, though, and grants Gurth his freedom!

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 14

Just now the Lady Rowena rides up. The death of Athelstane does not make her happy, but it does make a marriage to Ivanhoe much more probable. She offers her thanks and assistance to all Locksley's men and, as she is about to leave, sees the imprisoned De Bracy. She forgives him, but not fully or willingly. As the Saxons turn to go, Cedric gives a special thanks to the Black Knight, and tells him to come to Rotherwood, where he will be welcomed like family. The Knight thanks him, and suggests he will take up Cedric's generous offer at a later time.

In the splitting of the spoils, the Black Knight takes charge of the imprisoned De Bracy, and then frees him! Locksley gives the Knight a bugle, with the promise of help at its first call. Then comes the division of spoils, with a good amount going to the church, and widows and children, before the division among the outlaws. They then head back to the castle in search of the Friar, and find him dragging Isaac of York along on a rope! He found his cell while searching for wine, and there they waited until escape from the rubble was possible. The priest is quite drunk, and believes he has converted Isaac. When Isaac denies he offered his soul or his money, the Friar starts to hit him, but the Black Knight steps in. He easily takes the Friar's blows, then the Knight knocks the Friar down! He now rethinks the subject of conversion. So the Jew remains a prisoner, but unharmed. Another, more important prisoner sits amongst their ranks--the Prior Aymer of Jorvaulx!

Chapter 33

The Prior complains to Locksley of ill treatment by his men, who have torn his fine clothes, and threatened him with harm if he did not turn over his wealth. The drunken Friar talks to the Prior, who is greatly offended by this poor specimen of a priest. He finds no help from the Friar, and tries to talk his way to freedom. But the outlaws decide that the Jew should name the Prior's ransom, and vice versa. Isaac notes how fine the abbey is, and how well the Prior must live there. The Prior blows up at the Jew, complaining about how much of the church's money the Jew takes. Isaac names a sum, and all deem it fair but the Prior, who must now name the price of Isaac's freedom. Isaac offers to get the Prior his ransom money, if only he will let him off. But no, the Prior notes the wealth and usury of Isaac, and is quite offended. Isaac insists he forces no one to borrow money from him, but the Prior still gives him a sentence of a much higher sum than the Jew gave him. Isaac is mortified, and more so when he learns that Rebecca was carried off by Bois-Guilbert. Locksley feels pity for the Jew, and tells him that his ransom can be the same as the Prior's because Isaac will need all of his resources to free Rebecca.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 12

Locksley then arranges a bargain between the Jew and the priest. Because of his pity for Isaac's situation, and because of a kindness Rebecca paid to him, the yeoman asks the Prior to allow Isaac to pay his ransom for him, in exchange for the Prior's help in getting his daughter back from the Templar. Despite some protestations about the sum by Isaac, an agreement is struck, with Locksley promising the Prior he will see that the debt is paid by the Jew. So, the Prior writes a letter to Bois-Guilbert. He then asks for his belongings back, but Locksley refuses to return the rings and other baubles, which he thinks are not meant for men of the cloth. The Friar offers to take them, which angers the Prior.

Locksley requests some security from Isaac, and suggests the key of his money chambers. When Isaac balks, Locksley reminds him of how little his money would mean if his daughter were lost. At the end of all this bargaining, the Black Knight leaves Locksley with a word of friendship and respect.

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 15

Chapter 34

Prince John collects possible allies at the Castle of York for a big party. He sends Fitzurse among them to test the waters, and see what support there is for John's stealing the Kingship. But his three big guns are missing: Front-de-Boeuf, De Bracy and Bois-Guilbert. It is feared they were either killed or taken prisoner. Prince John, upset by what interfered in his plans, curses the Saxons, whom he believes took his men. Fitzurse tries to reassure the Prince, for he has sent out search parties. But the vain Prince is not calmed. Rather, he is annoyed that his advisor acted without his consent.

Suddenly, De Bracy enters, bloody and battered. He tells them that Bois-Guilbert is gone, and Front-de-Boeuf is dead. Then he releases the bombshell: King Richard is back in England! Prince John nearly faints! De Bracy tells them how he met with Richard, and that he was his prisoner. He also offered to help the King, and now asks Fitzurse to take up arms as well. Prince John notices this, and criticizes their switch of loyalty. De Bracy still refuses to harm Richard, but John says he only wants to imprison him! Fitzurse wants to kill Richard, but De Bracy refuses both options. De Bracy used to wish to fight the King, but not in a cowardly ambush, as Fitzurse suggests. He will not go along with harming King Richard. Prince John reflects on his sorry state--his father had loyal servants, who killed Thomas-a-Becket at his first request. Fitzurse, despite his reservations, agrees to take the King prisoner. After Fitzurse leaves, Prince John speaks to De Bracy. He tells him that Fitzurse's willingness seems suspicious, and that he respects De Bracy's loyalty to the throne! He questions whether Fitzurse is right for the honored post of Chancellor! All because he readily did what the Prince asked:

"There are things most necessary to be done, the perpetrator of which we neither love nor honour; and there may be refusals to serve us which shall rather exalt in our estimation those who deny our request." Chapter 34, pg. 320

Prince John soon checks to make sure Fitzurse and his men are on their way, and asks a servant to keep watch on De Bracy. He fears betrayal.

Topic Tracking: Loyalty 16
Topic Tracking: Bravery 11

Chapter 35

Isaac pushes forward to Templestowe, but falls ill on the way and has to stop at a small town. He goes to a rabbi proficient in medicine, Nathan ben Israel. He works to heal him, and the next morning is shocked to hear where his kinsman is going. This is not just because Templestowe is the home of the Templars, who despise the Jews, but that Lucas de Beaumanoir, the head of the Templars, is now at Templestowe! He has returned to find a disorganized and immoral group, and he is very angry. He is most dangerous because he cannot be bought, has no vices, and thinks a murdered Jew is a gift to God. But Isaac has no choice but to go there, in search of his daughter. Nathan understands, but advises that Isaac try to speak to Bois-Guilbert alone, away from the harsh de Beaumanoir. Isaac agrees, and sets off.

He soon reaches Templestowe, the Templars' well-fortified home. Stern, quiet brothers move about; the discipline of the order returned with its leader. De Beaumanoir, the Grand Master, has the body of the warrior he once was. He is tall and his face is stern; his clothing is simple and unadorned. He shares his disappointment with his wayward men with a fellow Templar, Conrade Mont-Fitchet. The Templars broke so many rules: they wore expensive jewels and metals, hunted, read and sang other than Scripture, learned magic from the Jews, ate rich foods, and lived too richly. And worst of all, they broke the rule of celibacy! He thinks of their forefathers, and the disgrace these actions have caused. He now feels it his duty to set things right, and remove the sinful. Mont-Fitchet suggests a more cautious and slow cleansing, but the Grand Master insists he must act swiftly and severely.

A brother comes with a message--a Jew is at the gates, wanting to speak to Bois-Guilbert. The Grand Master tells the brother to send the Jew to him. He leads in a terrified Isaac, who bows out of respect to the Grand Master. De Beaumanoir asks what he wants with Bois-Guilbert, and Isaac timidly holds out the Prior's letter. The Grand Master is shocked to see a Jew in possession of a letter from a man of the cloth. Writing of his imprisonment by a band of thieves, the letter warns Bois-Guilbert of the Grand Master's approach, and asks him to ransom the Jewess Witch. The Grand Master is shocked by the Prior's behavior, and wants to act against Rebecca. Mont-Fitchet believes the Prior did not mean she was really a witch, and that it was only a romantic flourish. But the Grand Master knows her as a student of Miriam. He asks Isaac if his daughter heals, and the father confirms her good deeds. But the Grand Master does not see them as such, and promises to deal with the young witch. He sends for the Templar's president, then throws Isaac out. The poor Jew returns to Nathan.

Chapter 36

The Templar president, Albert Malvoisin is the brother of Philip de Malvoisin, and one of Bois-Guilbert's cronies. His corruption is remarkable, as is his hypocrisy. He fools the Grand Master with his apologies and remorse. But finding out that Albert harbored a Jewess, who was a mistress of a Templar, gives great offense to the Grand Master. Albert tells him that he took in the Jewess in an effort to keep the lovers apart, and insists he knew nothing of her sorcery. Beaumanoir criticizes his naivety, and pities Bois-Guilbert, whom he believes to be under a spell. The Grand Master announces she will be killed. Albert interjects that this violates the English laws, but the Grand Master does not see it that way. He holds his power as judge absolute, and orders a trial.

Albert goes to find Bois-Guilbert. The Templar had just again had his advances rebuffed by Rebecca, and he complains to Albert about her stubborn race. He tells him that the secret is out, and he must repent from Rebecca, and allow her her punishment. Bois-Guilbert recoils from the idea, but Albert tells him Beaumanoir has deemed her death a penance for the sinful Templars. Bois-Guilbert cannot believe the bigotry of his order. He asks Albert to help Rebecca escape, but he refuses. Albert counsels him to give her up, or else he will be expelled from the order, and lose all his power and influence. He sees no other way for his enraptured friend. Bois-Guilbert comes around, especially since Rebecca has given him no hope of future love. But when Albert leaves him, Bois-Guilbert decides to make one attempt to save his love.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 13
Topic Tracking: Loyalty 17

The real reason for the execution, Mont-Fitchet explains, is that Bois-Guilbert is too important to the order. They cannot afford to lose him, so they must rid him of the girl. There is little proof in support of the charges being leveled against Rowena, so Mont-Fitchet asks Albert to "find" some, in exchange for a better post. Truth and justice are not important for their ends, as long as evidence of some kind is produced. Now Rebecca is brought to the chamber, the poor girl relieved at the thought of having her life in a fair judge's hands. As she passes through the crowd, someone sneaks a piece of paper into her hand. She does not look at it, but is relieved to have a friend in the crowd.

Chapter 37

The Grand Master presides over the trial of Rebecca. The hall is filled with people, including peasants whom Beaumanoir hoped to teach by this example. He speaks of the history and sanctity of the order, and tells the crowd that it is the actions of a vile temptress, a witch, who brought them here. He accuses her of making Bois-Guilbert insane under her spell. To the Grand Master, Bois-Guilbert is a brave warrior and defender of Christianity, respected and high-ranking. He could only have sinned under the spell of witchcraft. Therefore, the witch needs to be removed. But, if Bois-Guilbert had sinned of his own powers, he would have to be removed from the order. That, said the Grand Master, is what they must find out.

He calls witnesses to tell how Bois-Guilbert had risked his life for Rebecca's at Torquilstone. Albert testifies, and is given a light penance for allowing the Jewess into the castle. When asked by the court, Bois-Guilbert denies the charges against Rebecca. Such foolishness is seen as a sign of her spell over him. The court then brings forth a poor Saxon who was healed by Rebecca's doctoring. The Saxon still had some of the balm Rebecca used on him, and since the mixture was exotic and unknown, the court took it to be magical.

The Grand Master orders her to remove her veil and, despite her arguments in favor of female modesty, she eventually complies. Then Albert brings forward two men who make charges against Rebecca; the charges are silly and baseless, mostly having to do with her native language or clothes. Unfortunately, the court sees all as truth. When asked to speak, Rebecca said that explaining her customs to them would be useless. She instead asks Bois-Guilbert to speak, but all he can say is "The scroll!" Rebecca looks at the scrap of paper in her hands. It reads: "Demand a champion." She thus declares her innocence and asks for combat--she can only hope someone will come to her defense.

Topic Tracking: Bravery 12
Topic Tracking: Prejudice 14

Chapter 38

Even the Grand Master is surprised and softened by her brave defense. He gives her a chance--repent and renounce her faith for a new one, and her life will be spared. But she denies his offer, and asserts her innocence. The contest will be held then, and the Grand Master names Bois-Guilbert as the challenger. He will fight whomever Rebecca can find to oppose him. She has three days to find a champion, or she will be put to death. The only person who offers to be her messenger is the maimed man she healed, whose name is Higg. She sends him to find her father. Higg finds Isaac close by on the road, with a Rabbi. The old man faints after reading the message, and curses God. In the message, Rebecca suggests Ivanhoe as a possible champion, if he is healed. Isaac will go to find Ivanhoe, and the Rabbi tries to calm his fears by suggesting that perhaps money would persuade an injured Ivanhoe or another Gentile to fight. Isaac agrees this is a good idea, and sets off. The Rabbi leaves too, and Higg is alone. He is annoyed that the Jews gave him no money for his trouble, but reflects that for Rebecca, he would do anything.

Chapter 39

It is the day of the contest for Rebecca's freedom. A knock disturbs her prayer. She finishes, then asks who it is. Brian de Bois-Guilbert comes in, promising to do her no harm. They argue--she blames him and his passion for her troubles, and he claims he would never do anything to hurt her. But she disagrees, for it is he who will take up arms against her champion. To her, he has done nothing to help, but much against her. He fights back, and tells her that he hoped to be her (masked) champion in the combat, but that the Grand Master thwarted his plan. Now, if he does not fight he will lose all his power, all his hopes for the future. This selfishness is little comfort for Rebecca. Bois-Guilbert insists that if he fights, he will win. None but King Richard or Ivanhoe could beat him. But, he is willing to give up all his ambition, if she will just take him as her lover! She asks for his help in another form, but he is set on his plan. He wants to escape with her to another country, far from Europe. But she refuses--a man who would betray his faith for his carnal passion is not worth such a sacrifice, she tells him. She asks him to go to the King, but he says no: "I may forsake the order; I never will degrade or betray it." Chapter 39, pg. 368

Topic Tracking: Bravery 13

Bois-Guilbert still thinks she will come around to his offer. But he does not know the extent of the woman's courage:

"I tell thee, proud Templar, that not in thy fiercest battles hast thou displayed more of thy vaunted courage than has been shown by woman when called upon to suffer by affection or duty." Chapter 39, pg. 369

Bois-Guilbert wishes she were Christian, so they could be together. She chides him, saying that it is he and his people who have made her so awful and hated. He asks for her forgiveness, and she gives it. She feels he is noble, but slow to act, his virtue diluted.

Topic Tracing: Prejudice 15

Bois-Guilbert leaves, and meets Albert. He feels he has changed his mind now, and does not want to fight for the Templars against Rebecca; rather, he wants to fight on her behalf. But Albert warns him that is futile, for the Grand Master would lock him up as soon as he told him of the change in plans. He suggests flight, but Albert strokes Bois-Guilbert's honor and ambition, and he agrees to stay and fight. Albert has much to gain from Bois-Guilbert's future, such as a high appointment in the order. So Albert sticks close by, reinforcing the reasons why Bois-Guilbert must stay and fight.

Chapter 40

The story returns to that of the Black Knight. He makes his way to St. Botolph to see the wounded Ivanhoe, who was taken there by Gurth and Wamba. The Black Knight decides they should meet at Cedric's home for the funeral of Athelstane. The Black Knight promises to convince Cedric to take back his son. He then leaves, with Wamba as his guide.

Soon after they leave, Ivanhoe asks to leave the sickhouse, because he fears something bad is going to happen, and he must stop it. The convent's prior first protests, then gives in, even offering his own horse to Ivanhoe. He rethinks this when he sees all of Ivanhoe's gear, but Ivanhoe is already on his way, with Gurth. Back with the Black Knight and Wamba, Wamba can't sit still on his horse. He provides a good laugh, as a jester should. The two sing a few songs together. Wamba worries about Locksley's outlaws robbing them; because they balance their good deeds with bad ones. The Black Knight is surprised, and Wamba tells him that Locksley's men are nothing compared to Malvoisin's. He fears meeting the latter most. Now Wamba notices some men off the path, and suddenly arrows fly at them. They charge at their attackers, and the Black Knight does well until a Blue Knight shoots his horse. Seeking help, Wamba blows Locksley's horn, then jumps into the fray. Wamba hurts the Blue Knight's horse, but the Black Knight is still under attack from others.

Suddenly, Locksley, the hermit, and other yeoman barge in to help. Together they defeat the attackers, and the Black Knight orders the Blue Knight's helmet removed. He is Waldemar Fitzurse! The Black Knight, who is King Richard, accuses the Knight of rejecting an alliance with his daughter. They go off to talk. Richard finds out Fitzurse was following the orders of Prince John, and he has to control his anger. He orders Fitzurse to leave England, and never to speak of this treachery. Locksley does not understand, and the Knight reveals to him that he is King Richard of England. Locksley reveals that he is Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest. Richard recognizes him as the king of outlaws, but offers him only thanks, not penance. The hermit, who is Friar Tuck, also apologizes to Richard, with whom he spent an evening of entertainment not fitting for a religious man. He also hit him, when he believed him to be just a Knight. Richard forgives and offers him a job as a yeoman of his guard. But Tuck would rather stay a priest, for his holy robes shield him from the many mistakes he makes. He offers Tuck lots of food and ale, and an open invitation to visit the castle. As Tuck agrees, two others join the group.

Topic Tracking: Bravery 14

Chapter 41

The newcomers are Ivanhoe and Gurth. Ivanhoe does not know if he should continue the secrecy, and call Richard the Black Knight. He also worries about all the outlaws around his King. But Richard quiets his worries, for the outlaws are good and know the truth. He reminds Ivanhoe that his disguise allows his forces enough time to gather, so they may quell the treason and impending civil war quickly and without bloodshed. Having quieted Ivanhoe, Richard suggests they all have something to eat and drink. He likes the colorful company of the outlaws, even if they are lawbreakers. After some time Locksley secretly has a bugle blown, to trick Richard into thinking Malvoisin's men are approaching. The trick worked to break up the party, for the men had to be on their way.

During the travel, Richard promises Locksley to get the strict forest laws lessened; unfortunately the King dies before he can do this. Prince John ascends to the throne, and has no such compassion. But with regard to the present, the group arrives at Cedric's strong and magnificent home. A black banner symbolizes the sorrow inside. The castle is busy for the funeral banquet of Athelstane. Everyone eats and drinks at a fast pace. It is an odd assortment, complete with jugglers and jesters, minstrels singing, and merchants selling. Every now and then, a note of sorrow rises from the crowd. Richard and Ivanhoe are led inside, and Wamba and Gurth stay in the castle-yard with the crowd.

Chapter 42

They follow a strange rustic entrance into the tower. Before they enter the grand room, Ivanhoe covers his face. Elder Saxons fill the room, and Cedric greets the newcomers. Both Ivanhoe and Richard have their true identities concealed. He leads them to a small room where several priests pray. The priests are paid by the family, and will receive much of Athelstane's inheritance as a donation. Cedric then leads them to a small room where Athelstane's beautiful mother, named Edith, sits. Back in the grand room, Rowena leads other Saxon maidens in song. Cedric tells the two that Rowena was to have married Athelstane.

After Cedric leads them to another small room, the Knight reveals himself to Cedric. He is shocked, but cannot bow to a Norman, no matter how good. Richard says he hopes to change that. In the name of family and country unity, he asks Cedric to forgive his son Ivanhoe. The son steps forward to reveal himself, and plead forgiveness. He keeps his promise and forgives his son. Knowing Ivanhoe's desire, he tells him that Rowena must mourn for two years before marrying him. Any less would be disrespectful of their Saxon allies, and Athelstane's memory. Suddenly, a pale Athelstane appears before them!

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 16

Athelstane found himself tied in a coffin, and the greedy priests would not release him. They fed him poorly and intended to bury him alive, but luckily he escaped! He struggled with some priests, grabbed some food, and hurried here. Horribly angered, he demands revenge. Cedric tells him to think of other things, like his future power and glory. But Athelstane is uninterested. All his recent journeys have brought him nothing but trouble, and he would be happy with Richard on the throne. As for Rowena, he knows that she loves Ivanhoe, not him. And so he gives her up, easily. But when he turns to take Ivanhoe's hand, he is gone. A Jew came looking for him, and Ivanhoe got into his armor and left with Gurth. Rowena slipped out in embarrassment, and Richard chased after Ivanhoe. So, after cheating the grave, Athelstane found them all gone. But he cheered up at the thought of supper.

Chapter 43

Back at Templestowe, crowds gather to watch a fight, an execution or, hopefully, both. The stake is ready for Rebecca, should no champion appear. A Minstrel bearing the name "Sherwood" on his badge overhears talk of Athelstane's resurrection. A priest tries repeat the story to him, but another priest keeps objecting. It is Friar Tuck and Locksley in disguise! Tuck insists that he saw Athelstane alive. They are interrupted by the beginning of the ceremony.

Bois-Guilbert rides in behind the Grand Master. Bois-Guilbert's face is pale and somewhat crazed. Mont-Fitchet and Albert Malvoisin are there too. A group follows, and at the end is Rebecca. She is stripped of all jewelry and wears a plain dress. But her beauty and courageous face make everyone mourn for her. Yet no challenger has appeared to fight Bois-Guilbert. He himself appeals to Rebecca, and begs her to ride away with him and escape. She says no, considering him her worst enemy of all.

They have waited two hours. Suddenly, a knight rides up--but he and his horse are weak. He announces himself as Ivanhoe, Rebecca accepts, and he readies for the fight. It begins, and Ivanhoe goes down, but so does Bois-Guilbert. Ivanhoe makes to fight him on the ground, but Bois-Guilbert does not get up. Unhurt by Ivanhoe but consumed by his own passion, he lies dead on the ground.

Topic Tracking: Bravery 15
Topic Tracking: Loyalty 18

Chapter 44

The Grand Master declares Rebecca free and innocent. Ivanhoe refuses Bois-Guilbert's weapons and corpse, believing he deserves honor in his death. Suddenly, the Black Knight rides up with many attendants. He has an attendant arrest Albert for high treason. Beaumanoir demands to know who arrests his man, and the Knight reveals himself as King Richard. He asserts England's power over that of the Templars, and declares that Albert and his brother Philip will be dead within the week. He then orders the Grand Master to leave with his Templars. They do, slowly and with defiant glares.

Isaac holds his daughter, and tells her they must thank Ivanhoe. But Rebecca cannot, fearing she might say too much. So they slip out. Ivanhoe now turns to the Earl of Essex, King Richard's ally. He met the rash King on the road, and came with him here. Ivanhoe asks for news from York, and is angry to find out that Richard did not imprison his brother John. Instead, he sent him to their mother. Ivanhoe cannot help but be angry at his King.

It is learned that de Bracy escaped and joined forces with France, and the Malvoisin brothers were executed. Fitzurse was banished, and Prince John received no punishment. Cedric, whose hopes of a Saxon rule of England were crushed by Richard's return, was summoned to York. Cedric knew also that without the marriage of Rowena and Athelstane, a union of Saxon forces was impossible. Athelstane got his revenge, by keeping his captors in the dungeon for three days on a poor diet. He was more interested in this matter and in his dinner than in any marriage to Rowena. He gave her up easily to Ivanhoe. Cedric softened and consented to the marriage of Ivanhoe and Rowena. Both Normans and Saxons attended, and a slow evolution of respect began between the two races, culminating years later when English, a mix of the two languages, become the official language of the court.

Topic Tracking: Prejudice 17

Soon after the marriage, Rebecca comes to see Lady Ivanhoe. She conveys her gratitude, and asks Rowena to tell him good-bye. Rowena says that Ivanhoe was just repaying her many kindnesses. Rebecca insists she and her father must leave England. Its violent nature leaves her people too vulnerable. She and her father will go to Grenada. Rowena begs her to stay, but Rebecca refuses. She gives Rowena a gift of jewels, which she will never again wear. When Rowena tries to refuse, she insists: "You have power, rank, command, influence; we have wealth, the source both of our strength and weakness..." Chapter 40, pg. 431 Rebecca needs such jewels no longer, for she is to become a servant of her God, caring for the less fortunate. She tells Rowena to tell Ivanhoe--but her voice trembles and she fears her tenderness for him has been revealed. She quickly leaves Rowena, wishing her well. Rowena tells her husband the story and, though they loved each other and lived happily, it is unknown how often Ivanhoe may have thought of the beautiful and virtuous Jewess. Ivanhoe rose in Richard's ranks, but the King's death halted his ascent. King Richard's wonderful ideas and plans died with him, his legacy rooted in legend and story.