IVANHOE BY SIR WALTER SCOTT: FREE ONLINE STUDY GUIDE

LITERARY ELEMENTS

SETTING

The setting of Ivanhoe is medieval England, sometime in the late twelfth century. The scenes take place in some of England’s finest cities and countrysides around York and Sheffield. The principal events take place at Ashby and Coningsburgh (actual places), and at Rotherwood, Torquilstone, and Templestowe, (imaginary places). Events and people move from woods and forests to castles and country mansions.

The historical atmosphere in which this novel takes place is one of rapid change and tumultuous politics. Saxon England has been conquered by the Norman French for over a century, but the plunder of England’s finest homes and land is still going forward at full speed. The Normans in power are taking full advantage of their position as conquerors. Additionally, at the onset of the novel, society’s finest knights are traveling to or have just returned from The Crusades abroad. Throughout the book, there is a great deal of social and political change, a poorly focused Norman leadership, and an entire country full of displaced and resentful Saxons. In short, the timing of the novel finds England in one of her most vulnerable eras; she is a country divided by enormous social and political differences, nearing the limits of peace. Anything can happen

CHARACTER LIST

Major Characters

Cedric
Saxon nobleman, father of Ivanhoe. He hates the Normans and wishes to restore the Saxon monarchy.

Ivanhoe
Son of Cedric. Although named Wilfred, he is called Ivanhoe because he has been given a great manor called Ivanhoe. He is a Crusader and a loyal follower of the Norman King Richard I.

Athelstane
Lord of Coningsburgh. He is a weak and inert character, descended from Saxon nobility. He is Cedric’s last great hope for Saxon restoration to the throne.

Rowena
Cedric’s ward. Her descent can be traced to Alfred the Great. She is beautiful and well bred, and Ivanhoe is in love with her.

Brian de Bois-Guilbert
Knight of the Order of the Knights Templar. Like Ivanhoe, he is recently returned from the Crusades in Jerusalem.

Front-de-Boeuf
Norman owner of Torquilstone Castle, companion of de Bois-Guilbert.

Richard Plantagenet
The rightful King of England and called the Lion-Hearted. He has been kidnapped on his way back from the Crusades.

John Plantagenet
Richard’s brother. He spends most of his time plotting to keep his brother from coming back to England, since he wants to inherit the throne.

Waldemar Fitzurse
John’s advisor, a wily man who thinks of nothing but his own rise to power if John succeeds in supplanting Richard.

Isaac
A Jewish moneylender of York. He is rich but miserly and much disliked by both Saxons and Normans.

Rebecca
A beautiful young Jewess, daughter of Isaac of York. Unlike her father, she is generous and kind-hearted. As well, she is a healer.

Maurice De Bracy
A knight attached to Prince John’s dubious court.

Minor Characters

Prior Aymer of Jorvaulx Abbey
A Rich, lazy, and worldly Cisterian monk.

Lucas Beaumanoir
The Grand Master of the Knights Templar.

Locksley
The outlaw leader. In reality, he is Robin Hood of famous legend.

Friar Tuck
The clerk of Copmanhurst. He is a skilled fighter and friend of Robin Hood.

Gurth
A Saxon slave and swineherd belonging to Cedric

Wamba
Cedric’s jester

Urfried or Ulrica
An old hag living in Front-de-Boeuf’s castle

Richard de Malvoisin, Ralph de Vipont and Hugh de Grantmesnil
Noble Norman Knights who take part in the Ashby tournament.

Edith
The mother of Athelstane.

Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott - Free BookNotes Summary

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