Main characters
Wilfred Ivanhoe is the main character of the novel, a young knight of 25 years old, the son of Cedric Sax; was expelled from home by his father and deprived of his inheritance.
Briand de Boisguilbert is a brave Norman knight templar over forty years old, who came from Palestine.
Black Knight (Black Lazy) - King Richard I the Lionheart.
Cedric Rotherwood (Cedric Sax) - Ivanhoe's father, Saxon thegn.
Rebekah , a Jew, the daughter of Isaac, helped heal Ivanhoe’s wound.
Isaac from York is a wealthy Jew, moneylender, and father of Rebekah.
“Ivanhoe”: a summary of the most famous novel by W. Scott
Ivanhoe is a historical novel depicting medieval England. Events take place in the 12th century. At that time, England was ruled by Richard the First, known as the Lionheart, and the country was in the midst of a struggle between the Normans and the Saxons. The author of this novel is the founder of historical novelism, Walter Scott.
"Ivanhoe": summary
This novel is dedicated to the distant past. Therefore, a summary of “Ivanhoe” should begin with a description of the historical circumstances into which the heroes of the novel find themselves. England is going through a difficult time. King Richard the First is in captivity. At this time, his brother, Prince John, intends to seize the throne.
The noble Saxon Cedric of Rotherwood dreams of overthrowing Norman rule and reviving the power of his people. In his opinion, Athelstan of Coningsburg should become the head of the future liberation movement. Cedric decides to marry him to Lady Rowena, his pupil, who is the last representative of the family of King Alfred. But Lady Rowena becomes attached to Cedric's son, Ivanhoe. The summary describes that because of this, an angry Cedric kicks his son out of the house and deprives him of his inheritance.
The plot of the novel begins with Ivanhoe secretly returning from a crusade in the guise of a pilgrim. Soon he is caught up by the detachment of Briand de Boisguillebert, the commander of the templars, heading to the knightly tournament. This tournament takes place in the presence of Prince John. Briand de Boisguilbert confidently defeats many knights. But suddenly a new knight appears in the arena, whose shield is decorated with the motto “Disinherited.” He challenges the templar to a duel and wins. As the winner, he chooses the queen of love and beauty, who becomes Rowena. On the second day, the Disinherited Knight wins with the help of the mysterious Black Knight. As a reward, Rowena must place a crown of honor on the head of the first knight. When his helmet is removed, he falls, bleeding. Everyone recognizes the unknown knight as Ivanhoe. The summary says that Prince John takes this as a sign that Richard the First has received his freedom. Therefore, he begins to look for supporters, promising them great rewards. For example, he offers Maurice de Bracy as his wife a rich and noble bride, Lady Rowena, whom the said knight decides to kidnap.
Soon Cedric and his companions (among them was the wounded Ivanhoe) are attacked by a detachment of robbers, led by Boisguillebert and de Bracy. The prisoners are taken to a fortified castle, where de Bracy tries to win the favor of Lady Rowena, but she resolutely refuses him. At this time, the castle is besieged by the Black Knight, who had already helped Ivanhoe once. The summary describes how he captures de Bracy and saves Ivanhoe. But during the siege of the castle, Athelstan, Lady Rowena's fiancé, dies. At the end of Ivanhoe's novel (the summary of which omits many details), readers learn that the Black Knight is none other than King Richard the First. Having taken his rightful place on the throne, he forgives Prince John. Cedric, in turn, agrees to the wedding of Ivanhoe and Lady Rowena.
Other characters
Lady Rowena is the beautiful pupil of Cedric Sax, comes from the family of King Alfred the Great; beloved Ivanhoe.
Gurth is a swineherd, Cedric's slave.
Wamba - jester, slave of Cedric,
Eymer is a Franciscan monk, prior of the Abbey of Jorvaux.
Athelstan of Coningsburgh is a Saxon and a descendant of King Alfred the Great.
John is the Crown Prince, Richard's brother.
Locksley - yeoman, archer, Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest, "king of robbers."
The priest from Copmanhurst is a robber monk, known in ballads as Brother Tuck.
Ulrika (Urfrida) is the daughter of the Thane of Torquilston, a captive of Front de Beuf.
Maurice de Bracy - Knight Knight.
Reginald Front de Boeuf - knight, Norman baron.
Philippe Malvoisin - knight, baron.
Luca Beaumanoir is the Grand Master of the Knights Templar (fictitious person).
early years
Richard the Lionheart was the son of Henry II. He was born in 1157. It is noteworthy that Richard was not the first-born in the family: he had two older brothers (and one younger, but he died in childhood). All the sons of Henry II treated their father rather coldly. As a result, the monarch divided the state into separate duchies and gave each offspring a share.
However, the very next year Richard's older brother rebelled against his father.
Both younger brothers joined the revolt, but the uprising was suppressed.
Richard the Lionheart surrendered to his father and, to everyone's surprise, received forgiveness
. He was not even deprived of his lands.
However, Richard I soon went against his father again
.
He became an ally of King Philip II Augustus of France and went to war against his own father, as a result of which Henry II died and the throne passed to Richard,
since his older brothers had already died by that time.
Summary
Chapter I
King Richard I did not return from his last campaign and was captured. "The conquest of England by the Norman Duke William greatly increased the tyranny of the feudal lords and deepened the suffering of the lower classes." "Almost without exception, the Saxon princes and Saxon nobility were either exterminated or deprived of their possessions."
Chapter II
A group of horsemen approached the swineherd Gurth and the jester Wamba, who were discussing the gentlemen, - the Franciscan monk Eimer and the templar Brother Briand with his retinue. The travelers asked how to get to Cedric Sax's home. To confuse them, Wamba pointed to another road. Heading along the indicated path, Eimear and Briand discussed Cedric. The prior noted that Sax was opposed to the Normans and even quarreled with his neighbors Front de Boeuf and Malvoisin.
Brian was on his way to Cedric to ask for the hand of his daughter, the beautiful Lady Rowena. Eimear said that Cedric is actually Rowena’s guardian, and she comes from a more noble family. Cedric looked after his pupil very jealously and expelled his son because he “dared to raise his loving eyes to this beauty.”
On the way, they met a pilgrim who had just returned from the Holy Land. He was also heading to Rotherwood to visit Cedric, so he showed the travelers the right path. On the way they were overtaken by bad weather.
Chapters III – IV
Cedric was informed that Prior Aymer and Knight Briand de Boisguillebert “ask for hospitality and overnight accommodation on their way to the tournament site in Ashby.” Reluctantly, Cedric ordered that they and the pilgrim be provided with overnight accommodation and dinner.
Chapter V
Bad weather brought Cedric and the Jew Isaac from York to the house. At that time, in England they treated Jews with contempt, considering it unacceptable to be near them, but Cedric could not break the laws of hospitality and let Isaac in.
Over dinner, the pilgrim talked about the tournament in Acre. He kept silent about the name of the sixth knight, who took part in the battles along with King Richard. Briand said that it was Ivanhoe, who then defeated the templar. Brian expressed a desire to fight him again.
Chapter VI
The pilgrim was sent to spend the night with Isaac. In the morning, he woke up the Jew and advised him to quickly leave Cedric’s house - Briand ordered that Isaac be captured in the morning.
The pilgrim helped the Jew reach Sheffield. Isaac realized that there was a knight in front of him. In gratitude, Isaac helped the pilgrim borrow from a Jewish friend everything he needed to participate in the tournament - armor and a horse.
Chapter VII
Richard was a prisoner of the Duke of Austria and even the place of his imprisonment was unknown. Prince John, who illegally seized power, was in alliance with the French King Philip. John hated and despised the surviving Saxon nobility.
Everything was ready for the start of the tournament. At the edge of the forest there was an arena, five tents of the knights who organized the tournament and the tents of visiting knights. Both nobles and commoners gathered to see the spectacle. Among the spectators were Isaac and his daughter, the beautiful Rebekah. Cedric Sax and Rebekah and Athelstan sat separately.
Chapters VIII – IX
The tournament has begun. The advantage was on the side of the instigators, with whom everyone fought. The prince already wanted to award victory to Briand, since no one wanted to fight him one on one. But a new knight appeared, whose face was hidden by a helmet. “The motto on his shield depicted a young oak uprooted,” under which was the inscription: “Desdichado” - “Disinherited.” He knocked Brian off his horse and then defeated all the instigators and was declared the winner of the day. The disinherited man chose the queen of the tournament - Lady Rowena.
Chapters X – XI
Prince John tried to find out through the servants who the unknown knight was, but he never showed his face.
According to the rules of the tournament, the winner took the armor of the vanquished. Disinherited, he allowed the knights to buy back their armor and, with the proceeds, sent the squire Gurth to Isaac to repay the debt. When the swineherd left the Jew, Rebekah gave him everything he had paid, saying that her father owed the knight much more.
Chapter XII
The second day of the tournament began - a massive battle. The knights were divided into two parties - the first was led by the Knight Disinherited, the second by Briand de Boisguillebert. Almost all the knights dropped out and at the end the Disinherited fought with Brian and two more knights from the templar party. A knight in black armor came to his aid, who was nicknamed “Black Lazy”, since he almost did not take part in the battle. Having struck two opponents, the Black Knight rode off to the side. Seeing that Briand might be defeated, Prince John stopped the tournament.
The Black Knight disappeared, so the hero of the day was proclaimed Disinherited. The winner knelt before Lady Rowena. So that she could place a crown on the knight’s head, his helmet was removed. It was Ivanhoe. Having kissed Rowena's hand, the knight fainted - he was wounded.
Chapter XIII
Upon learning that Ivanhoe was the winner, Prince John was saddened. Moreover, now the knight Front de Beuf needed to return to Ivanhoe the estate granted to him by Richard.
The prince was sent a note: “Be careful - the devil is unleashed,” which meant that Richard had received his freedom. John rescheduled the shooting competition for the evening of the same day. Among the shooters was John's hated yeoman Loxley. He hit the willow twig and became the winner.
Chapter XIV
"Prince John gave a sumptuous feast at Ashby Castle." Among the guests were the Saxons Cedric and Athelstan. Cedric was asked to name the Norman whose name was least unpleasant to him. Contrary to politeness, he did not call John, but Richard the Lionheart.
Chapter XV
Brasi, at the suggestion of Briand de Boilbert, decided to stage the kidnapping of Rowena, and then her release, in order to get the girl as his wife.
Chapters XVI – XVII
After leaving the tournament site, the Black Knight in the forest came across a hut near a rock and a holy spring. The hermit who lived there reluctantly opened the door to the guest. The owner had a venison pie and wine in stock, with which he treated the Black Knight.
Chapter XVIII
After the tournament, the wounded Ivanhoe disappeared. Having learned that Gurth was Ivanhoe's squire, Cedric ordered the swineherd to be shackled.
Cerdrik wanted to marry Lady Rowena to Athelstan, who, like Rowena, was of royal descent. Sax believed that this marriage "will contribute to the speedy restoration of Saxon independence." However, his plans were disrupted by “the mutual affection of Lady Rowena and his son. This was the main reason for Wilfred’s expulsion.”
Chapter XIX
On the way from the tournament, Cedric, Athelstan, Rowena and their servants were caught in the forest by night. They heard cries for help. As it turned out, Rebekah and Isaac hired people to take their sick friend. Along the road, frightened by the robbers, the servants fled, abandoning the stretcher. Cedric agreed that the Jews should continue their journey under their protection. On the way, robbers attacked the travelers and took everyone prisoner. Wamba and Gurth fled and joined Loxley.
Chapter XX
Loxley, Wamba and Gurth went to the hut of the hermit who was drinking with the Black Knight. Throwing off his cassock, the hermit immediately put on robber green trousers and a caftan.
Chapter XXI
The leaders of the people who captured Cedric and his companions were the templar and the knight de Bracy. Briand noted that he was ready to get a Jewish woman as “his prey.” When they reached the castle of Front de Beuf, Cedric realized that they were not captured by robbers.
Chapter XII
Front de Boeuf put Isaac in a prison basement and demanded a large ransom - otherwise the Jew would face terrible torture. Isaac agreed, but when Front de Boeuf said that he had assigned Rebekah “as a maid to Sir Brian,” the captive refused to pay. Isaac was saved from torture by the sound of a trumpet.
Chapters XXIII – XXIV
Around noon, de Bracy came to Rowena to seek the girl’s hand and dowry. However, the girl responded to the knight’s courtesies with disdain. At the same time, Brian came to Rebekah, but he also could not gain the favor of the captive.
Chapters XXV–XXVI
Front de Boeuf received a letter. In it, Wamba and Gurth, “with the assistance of the allies” Black Lazy and Robert Loxley, announce that the knights must release the prisoners, otherwise they will be “harassed by a siege, an attack.”
Briand wrote back that they were going to execute all the prisoners and asked to send a priest. Under the guise of a priest, the robbers sent Wamba, dressed in a cassock. The jester swapped clothes with Cedric so that the Saxon could get out unnoticed.
Chapter XXVII
Leaving the castle, Cedric talks to the old woman Urfrida. She said that “she was a plaything of her masters’ passions” and admitted that she was the daughter of “the noble Thane of Torquilston.” Cedric opened up, saying that he was her father's friend.
Finding Wamba instead of Cedric, Front de Boeuf realized that they had been deceived. The robbers and Cedric's people who joined them began an attack on the castle.
Chapter XXVIII
After the tournament in Ashby, Isaac and Rebekah brought the wounded Ivanhoe to the house of Jewish friends. Rebekah knew how to heal and knew some secrets. They wanted to take Ivanhoe to their place, but the servants abandoned them in the forest, and then Cedric and his companions drove up to the screams.
At the castle of Boeuf, Urfrida entrusted the care of the wounded knight to Rebekah.
Chapters XXIX – XXX
After the initial clash, the attackers, led by the Black Knight and Loxley, successfully captured the tower. The castle was preparing for defense. During the battle, Front de Boeuf was mortally wounded by the Black Knight. To take revenge on de Beuf, his captive Urfrida set fire to the castle and locked the room with the dying baron.
Chapters XXXI – XXXII
Brasi faced the Black Knight in a duel. Raising a dagger over his opponent, the Black Knight told him to surrender. Having learned who was in front of him, Brasi immediately obeyed and obediently went to the tower.
Brian, having captured Rebekah and killed Athelstan, retreated. The black Knight came to Wilfred's cries and carried out the wounded man. Cedric found Rowena. The clerk from Copmanhurst saved Isaac.
Ulrika appeared on one of the towers of the burning castle and began to sing a battle song. She stayed there until the tower collapsed. The old woman died in the flames.
Chapter XXXIII
The robbers captured Prior Eimer from the Abbey of Zhorvo. Loxley arranged for the prior to help Isaac free Rebekah, who had been stolen by Brian.
Chapter XXXIV
“Prince John gave a great feast at York Castle and invited to it those nobles and clergy with whose help he hoped to seize the throne.” Having learned about Richard's arrival, John's supporters began to retreat from him.
Chapters XXXV – XXXVI
Isaac delivered a letter from Prior Eimear Briand to Templestowe Preceptory. However, the message fell into the hands of Grandmaster Beaumanoir. He accused Rebekah of witchcraft and demanded that she be burned as a witch who had bewitched a knight. Having learned about this, Briand said that he would not allow the death of the Jewish woman.
Chapters XXXVII – XXXIX
During Rebekah's trial, all the witnesses told fictitious stories about witchcraft, emphasizing that the knight was as if mad. On the parchment that Briand quietly gave to the Jewish woman, it was written: “ask for a defender.” The girl demanded that a duel be scheduled so that someone would stand up for her (Briand was appointed as the opponent of her defender). There were no volunteers present at the trial, so Rebekah sent a letter to Isaac asking him to find her a defender.
After the trial, Briand expressed his desire to be a friend and patron of the Jewish woman. Rebekah refused the knight's help, but still forgave him.
Chapter XL
The Black Knight and Wamba went to the funeral at Athelstan's castle. An ambush awaited them along the way, but the yeomen led by Loxley and the hermit came to their aid. Prince John ordered the attack.
The Black Knight revealed himself to Locksley, saying that he was Richard of England. At these words all the yeomen knelt before him. Loxley also revealed himself - he was actually Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest.
Chapter XLI
While Richard was giving orders, a still weak Ivanhoe and Gurth approached them. Before dark they reached Coningsburgh Castle, where the “funeral celebrations” were taking place.
Chapter XLII
Arriving at Athelstan's castle, the Black Knight revealed his true title to Cedric. At Richard's request, Cedric forgave his son Wilfred.
During the wake, an emaciated Athelstan suddenly appeared. He said that in fact the templar did not kill him, but only stunned him. And all this time he was kept in prison by two monks. Athelstan lost some of his ambition and decided to give Rowena over to her dear Wilfred.
While Athelstan was telling the story, Ivanhoe and Richard disappeared somewhere.
Chapter XLIII
Ivanhoe came to Rebekah’s defense - he could barely stay in the saddle. Briand said that he would not fight him until his wounds healed, but Ivanhoe insisted on his own. The knights rushed at each other. Although Ivanhoe's spear barely touched Brian's shield, the templar fell from his horse and died "a victim of his own unbridled passions." Ivanhoe was declared the winner.
Chapter XLIV
Rebekah was declared “free and innocent.” She left England with her father.
Cedric was invited to Richard's court. Although he was against the marriage of Ivanhoe and Rowena, he soon relented and gave permission.
“Ivanhoe lived happily ever after with Rowena,” he served under Richard. "He would probably have achieved the highest honors if the premature death of the Lionheart had not prevented this."
Ivanhoe summary
Scott wrote the novel Ivanhoe in 1819 and published it the same year under the pseudonym Waverley. The book is one of the very first and famous historical novels, a classic of adventure literature, and belongs to the artistic movement of romanticism. The action of the work takes place in the 12th century in England - after the third crusade, during the reign of King Richard I. On the website you can read online a summary of “Ivanhoe” chapter by chapter. The abbreviated retelling can be used for a reading diary, in preparation for a literature lesson.
Main characters Wilfred Ivanhoe is the main character of the novel, a young knight of 25 years old, the son of Cedric Sax; was expelled from home by his father and deprived of his inheritance. Briand de Boisguilbert is a brave Norman knight templar over forty years old, who came from Palestine. Black Knight (Black Lazy) - King Richard I the Lionheart. Cedric Rotherwood (Cedric Sax) - Ivanhoe's father, Saxon thegn. Rebekah , a Jew, the daughter of Isaac, helped heal Ivanhoe’s wound. Isaac from York is a wealthy Jew, moneylender, and father of Rebekah. Other characters Lady Rowena is the beautiful pupil of Cedric Sax, descended from the family of King Alfred the Great; beloved Ivanhoe. Gurth is a swineherd, Cedric's slave. Wamba is a jester, slave of Cedric, Eimer is a Franciscan monk, prior of the Abbey of Jorvo. Athelstan of Coningsburgh is a Saxon and a descendant of King Alfred the Great. John is the Crown Prince, Richard's brother. Locksley - yeoman, archer, Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest, "king of robbers." The priest from Copmanhurst is a robber monk, known in ballads as Brother Tuck. Ulrika (Urfrida) is the daughter of the Thane of Torquilston, a captive of Front de Beuf. Maurice de Bracy - Knight Knight. Reginald Front de Boeuf - knight, Norman baron. Philippe Malvoisin - knight, baron. Luca Beaumanoir is the Grand Master of the Knights Templar (fictitious person). Summary
Chapter I King Richard I did not return from his last campaign and was captured. "The conquest of England by the Norman Duke William greatly increased the tyranny of the feudal lords and deepened the suffering of the lower classes." "Almost without exception, the Saxon princes and Saxon nobility were either exterminated or deprived of their possessions."
Chapter II A group of horsemen approached the swineherd Gurth and the jester Wamba, who were discussing the masters - the Franciscan monk Eimer and the templar Brother Briand with his retinue. The travelers asked how to get to Cedric Sax's home. To confuse them, Wamba pointed to another road. Heading along the indicated path, Eimear and Briand discussed Cedric. The prior noted that Sax was opposed to the Normans and even quarreled with his neighbors Front de Boeuf and Malvoisin. Brian was on his way to Cedric to ask for the hand of his daughter, the beautiful Lady Rowena. Eimear said that Cedric is actually Rowena’s guardian, and she comes from a more noble family. Cedric looked after his pupil very jealously and expelled his son because he “dared to raise his loving eyes to this beauty.” On the way, they met a pilgrim who had just returned from the Holy Land. He was also heading to Rotherwood to visit Cedric, so he showed the travelers the right path. On the way they were overtaken by bad weather.
Chapters III - IV Cedric was informed that Prior Aymer and Knight Briand de Boisguillebert “ask for hospitality and accommodation for the night on the way to the site of the tournament in Ashby.” Reluctantly, Cedric ordered that they and the pilgrim be provided with overnight accommodation and dinner.
Chapter V Bad weather brought Cedric and the Jew Isaac from York to the house. At that time, in England they treated Jews with contempt, considering it unacceptable to be near them, but Cedric could not break the laws of hospitality and let Isaac in. Over dinner, the pilgrim talked about the tournament in Acre. He kept silent about the name of the sixth knight, who took part in the battles along with King Richard. Briand said that it was Ivanhoe, who then defeated the templar. Brian expressed a desire to fight him again.
Chapter VI The Pilgrim was sent to spend the night with Isaac. In the morning, he woke up the Jew and advised him to quickly leave Cedric’s house - Briand ordered that Isaac be captured in the morning. The pilgrim helped the Jew reach Sheffield. Isaac realized that there was a knight in front of him. In gratitude, Isaac helped the pilgrim borrow from a Jewish friend everything he needed to participate in the tournament - armor and a horse.
Chapter VII Richard was a prisoner of the Duke of Austria and even the place of his imprisonment was unknown. Prince John, who illegally seized power, was in alliance with the French King Philip. John hated and despised the surviving Saxon nobility. Everything was ready for the start of the tournament. At the edge of the forest there was an arena, five tents of the knights who organized the tournament and the tents of visiting knights. Both nobles and commoners gathered to see the spectacle. Among the spectators were Isaac and his daughter, the beautiful Rebekah. Cedric Sax and Rebekah and Athelstan sat separately.
Chapters VIII – IX The tournament has begun. The advantage was on the side of the instigators, with whom everyone fought. The prince already wanted to award victory to Briand, since no one wanted to fight him one on one. But a new knight appeared, whose face was hidden by a helmet. “The motto on his shield depicted a young oak uprooted,” under which was the inscription: “Desdichado” - “Disinherited.” He knocked Brian off his horse and then defeated all the instigators and was declared the winner of the day. The disinherited man chose the queen of the tournament - Lady Rowena.
Chapters X - XI Prince John tried to find out through the servants who the unknown knight was, but he never showed his face. According to the rules of the tournament, the winner took the armor of the vanquished. Disinherited, he allowed the knights to buy back their armor and, with the proceeds, sent the squire Gurth to Isaac to repay the debt. When the swineherd left the Jew, Rebekah gave him everything he had paid, saying that her father owed the knight much more.
Chapter XII The second day of the tournament began - a massive battle. The knights were divided into two parties - the first was led by the Knight Disinherited, the second by Briand de Boisguillebert. Almost all the knights dropped out and at the end the Disinherited fought with Brian and two more knights from the templar party. A knight in black armor came to his aid, who was nicknamed “Black Lazy”, since he almost did not take part in the battle. Having struck two opponents, the Black Knight rode off to the side. Seeing that Briand might be defeated, Prince John stopped the tournament. The Black Knight disappeared, so the hero of the day was proclaimed Disinherited. The winner knelt before Lady Rowena. So that she could place a crown on the knight’s head, his helmet was removed. It was Ivanhoe. Having kissed Rowena's hand, the knight fainted - he was wounded.
Chapter XIII When Prince John learned that Ivanhoe was the winner, he was saddened. Moreover, now the knight Front de Beuf needed to return to Ivanhoe the estate granted to him by Richard. The prince was sent a note: “Be careful - the devil is unleashed,” which meant that Richard had received his freedom. John rescheduled the shooting competition for the evening of the same day. Among the shooters was John's hated yeoman Loxley. He hit the willow twig and became the winner.
Chapter XIV "Prince John gave a sumptuous feast at Ashby Castle." Among the guests were the Saxons Cedric and Athelstan. Cedric was asked to name the Norman whose name was least unpleasant to him. Contrary to politeness, he did not call John, but Richard the Lionheart.
Chapter XV Brasi, at the suggestion of Briand de Boilbert, decided to stage the kidnapping of Rowena, and then her release, in order to get the girl as his wife.
Chapters XVI - XVII Having left the place of the tournament, the Black Knight in the forest came across a hut near a rock and a holy spring. The hermit who lived there reluctantly opened the door to the guest. The owner had a venison pie and wine in stock, with which he treated the Black Knight.
Chapter XVIII After the tournament, the wounded Ivanhoe disappeared. Having learned that Gurth was Ivanhoe's squire, Cedric ordered the swineherd to be shackled. Cerdrik wanted to marry Lady Rowena to Athelstan, who, like Rowena, was of royal descent. Sax believed that this marriage "will contribute to the speedy restoration of Saxon independence." However, his plans were disrupted by “the mutual affection of Lady Rowena and his son. This was the main reason for Wilfred’s expulsion.”
Chapter XIX On the way from the tournament, Cedric, Athelstan, Rowena and their servants were caught in the forest by night. They heard cries for help. As it turned out, Rebekah and Isaac hired people to take their sick friend. Along the road, frightened by the robbers, the servants fled, abandoning the stretcher. Cedric agreed that the Jews should continue their journey under their protection. On the way, robbers attacked the travelers and took everyone prisoner. Wamba and Gurth fled and joined Loxley.
Chapter XX Loxley with Wamba and Gurth went to the hut of the hermit who was drinking with the Black Knight. Throwing off his cassock, the hermit immediately put on robber green trousers and a caftan.
Chapter XXI The leaders of the people who captured Cedric and his companions were the templar and the knight de Bracy. Briand noted that he was ready to get a Jewish woman as “his prey.” When they reached the castle of Front de Beuf, Cedric realized that they were not captured by robbers.
Chapter XII Front de Boeuf put Isaac in a prison basement and demanded a large ransom - otherwise the Jew would face terrible torture. Isaac agreed, but when Front de Boeuf said that he had assigned Rebekah “as a maid to Sir Brian,” the captive refused to pay. Isaac was saved from torture by the sound of a trumpet.
Chapters XXIII - XXIV Around noon, de Bracy came to Rowena to seek the girl’s hand and dowry. However, the girl responded to the knight’s courtesies with disdain. At the same time, Brian came to Rebekah, but he also could not gain the favor of the captive.
Chapters XXV - XXVI Front de Boeuf received a letter. In it, Wamba and Gurth, “with the assistance of the allies” Black Lazy and Robert Loxley, announce that the knights must release the prisoners, otherwise they will be “harassed by a siege, an attack.” Briand wrote back that they were going to execute all the prisoners and asked to send a priest. Under the guise of a priest, the robbers sent Wamba, dressed in a cassock. The jester swapped clothes with Cedric so that the Saxon could get out unnoticed.
Chapter XXVII Leaving the castle, Cedric talks to the old woman Urfrida. She said that “she was a plaything of her masters’ passions” and admitted that she was the daughter of “the noble Thane of Torquilston.” Cedric opened up, saying that he was her father's friend. Finding Wamba instead of Cedric, Front de Boeuf realized that they had been deceived. The robbers and Cedric's people who joined them began an attack on the castle.
Chapter XXVIII After the tournament in Ashby, Isaac and Rebekah brought the wounded Ivanhoe to the house of Jewish friends. Rebekah knew how to heal and knew some secrets. They wanted to take Ivanhoe to their place, but the servants abandoned them in the forest, and then Cedric and his companions drove up to the screams. At the castle of Boeuf, Urfrida entrusted the care of the wounded knight to Rebekah.
Chapters XXIX – XXX After the first clash, the attackers, led by the Black Knight and Loxley, successfully captured the tower. The castle was preparing for defense. During the battle, Front de Boeuf was mortally wounded by the Black Knight. To take revenge on de Beuf, his captive Urfrida set fire to the castle and locked the room with the dying baron.
Chapters XXXI – XXXII Brasi fought in a duel with the Black Knight. Raising a dagger over his opponent, the Black Knight told him to surrender. Having learned who was in front of him, Brasi immediately obeyed and obediently went to the tower. Brian, having captured Rebekah and killed Athelstan, retreated. The black Knight came to Wilfred's cries and carried out the wounded man. Cedric found Rowena. The clerk from Copmanhurst saved Isaac. Ulrika appeared on one of the towers of the burning castle and began to sing a battle song. She stayed there until the tower collapsed. The old woman died in the flames.
Chapter XXXIII The robbers captured Prior Eymer from the Abbey of Zhorvo. Loxley arranged for the prior to help Isaac free Rebekah, who had been stolen by Brian.
Chapter XXXIV “Prince John gave a great feast at York Castle and invited to it those nobles and churchmen with whose help he hoped to seize the throne.” Having learned about Richard's arrival, John's supporters began to retreat from him.
Chapters XXXV - XXXVI Isaac delivered a letter from Prior Eimear Briand to Templestowe Preceptory. However, the message fell into the hands of Grandmaster Beaumanoir. He accused Rebekah of witchcraft and demanded that she be burned as a witch who had bewitched a knight. Having learned about this, Briand said that he would not allow the death of the Jewish woman.
Chapters XXXVII - XXXIX During Rebekah's trial, all the witnesses told fictitious stories about witchcraft, emphasizing that the knight was as if mad. On the parchment that Briand quietly gave to the Jewish woman, it was written: “ask for a defender.” The girl demanded that a duel be scheduled so that someone would stand up for her (Briand was appointed as the opponent of her defender). There were no volunteers present at the trial, so Rebekah sent a letter to Isaac asking him to find her a defender. After the trial, Briand expressed his desire to be a friend and patron of the Jewish woman. Rebekah refused the knight's help, but still forgave him.
Chapter XL The Black Knight and Wamba went to the wake at Athelstan's castle. An ambush awaited them along the way, but the yeomen led by Loxley and the hermit came to their aid. Prince John ordered the attack. The Black Knight revealed himself to Locksley, saying that he was Richard of England. At these words all the yeomen knelt before him. Loxley also revealed himself - he was actually Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest.
Chapter XLI While Richard was giving orders, a still weak Ivanhoe and Gurth drove up to them. Before dark they reached Coningsburgh Castle, where the “funeral celebrations” were taking place.
Chapter XLII Arriving at Athelstan's castle, the Black Knight revealed his true title to Cedric. At Richard's request, Cedric forgave his son Wilfred. During the wake, an emaciated Athelstan suddenly appeared. He said that in fact the templar did not kill him, but only stunned him. And all this time he was kept in prison by two monks. Athelstan lost some of his ambition and decided to give Rowena over to her dear Wilfred. While Athelstan was telling the story, Ivanhoe and Richard disappeared somewhere.
Chapter XLIII Ivanhoe came to Rebekah’s defense - he could barely stay in the saddle. Briand said that he would not fight him until his wounds healed, but Ivanhoe insisted on his own. The knights rushed at each other. Although Ivanhoe's spear barely touched Brian's shield, the templar fell from his horse and died "a victim of his own unbridled passions." Ivanhoe was declared the winner.
Chapter XLIV Rebekah was declared “free and innocent.” She left England with her father. Cedric was invited to Richard's court. Although he was against the marriage of Ivanhoe and Rowena, he soon relented and gave permission. “Ivanhoe lived happily ever after with Rowena,” he served under Richard. "He would probably have achieved the highest honors if the premature death of the Lionheart had not prevented this."
Conclusion In the novel “Ivanhoe,” Walter Scott touches on the political, national, and religious problems of medieval England. The main character of the work is the knight Ivanhoe, who is portrayed by the author as brave, honest and fair, and is contrasted with the templar Briand de Boisguillebert, mired in vices. In addition, Wilfred, as the son of Cedric and the knight of Richard, in the novel is the bearer of the idea of the unity of the country.
We recommend that you not limit yourself to a brief retelling of Ivanhoe , but read Walter Scott’s novel in full.
