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Cover of Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe

Sir Walter Scott

Summary

Sir Walter Scott initially wrote novels with Scottish subject matter, but Ivanhoe , published in 1819, was the first to deal with English subject matter (although critics such as the historian Freeman questioned the continued hostility between the Saxons and Normans upon which Scott bases the story). The novel is historical and deals with the reign of Richard I. Wilfred of Ivanhoe becomes a favoured subject of Richard during the crusade, but as the familiar story continues John, brother of Richard, plans to depose the king assisted by immoral Norman noblemen. The novel chiefly concerns two events: the great battle at Ashby de la Zouch where Richard defeats the knights of John with the assistance of Ivanhoe; and the siege of the castle of Torquilstone where the beautiful Rebecca has been imprisoned by the Normans. The latter involves Locksley (Robin Hood) who aids King Richard in the conflict. Subsequently, with Rebecca still hostage to an appalling Templar knight, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Ivanhoe has to show courage and nobility in confronting the Norman enemy. Eventually, Ivanhoe and his sweetheart Rowena are brought together by King Richard. The novel was one of the first to attempt to deal with subject matter from the Middle Ages in a historically accurate manner - even if it does not always manage to achieve this aim.

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