Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe: The Romance

Written by Sir Walter Scott

Ivanhoe, written by Sir Walter Scott, was a well-written book about the adventures of Ivanhoe. Set during the end of the crusades, Ivanhoe shows the reader Ivanhoe’s quest to win the hand of Lady Rowena and set his King back on the throne of England. From the beginning of the book, the reader is immediately drawn in by the vivid details and descriptions of the people and surroundings given by the author. Whether during Ivanhoes bouts in the tournament, the fight to save Ivanhoe at castle Tor, or during the final joust for the life of Rebecca, the reader is held captive by the book. However, it all started with the return of Ivanhoe after the crusades.

The book began by following the return of Ivanhoe from the crusades. Since there was a war between King Richard and his brother Prince John, Ivanhoe was not welcome in England at that time and so he traveled as a peasant-traveler. On his return from the crusades he stopped to rest for the night at his estranged fathers house, as the custom required the owner of a house to accept a traveler into his care if dusk was approaching. Ivanhoe was one of many travelers who sought the hospitality of Cedric the Saxon that night. One of the travelers was Isaac of York, a Jew, as well as a Knight Templar and a bishop. After that night, Cedric left for the tournament with his household, which included Lady Rowena. Ivanhoe in order to defend his honor against Sir Brian enlisted in the rounds of the tournament. He won every joust, including the one versus the Knight Templar Sir Brian, and was named the champion of the tournament. However, he sustained a nearly fatal wound and was taken and cared for by Rebecca the daughter of Isaac of York. While Isaac and his entourage were returning to their home to give Ivanhoe the best care possible, Sir Brian and his men waylaid them. Isaac, Cedric, and their parties were taken for ransom and held in the castle Tor. However, Cedrics jester and liegeman escaped and set themselves to find a way to free their master.

His servants, with the help of Robin Hood and King Richard, then known only as the Sable Knight, formed a plan to attack the castle. As part of the plan, Cedrics jester dressed as a monk and exchanged clothes with Cedric. Cedric escaped the castle and joined the besiegers of the castle in the attempt to destroy the castle. In a daring act, the archers drew the defenders over to the front of the castle while Cedric crossed the moat and let down a side drawbridge. Once the drawbridge was down the attackers were able to take the outer walls. The defenders were forced to the inside and one of