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Summary
Ivanhoe was Scott's first novel to be set in mediaeval times. It is set against the background of antagonism between Saxons and Normans in England of the late twelfth century.
Wilfred of Ivanhoe had gone with Richard - I on the crusades because his father had opposed his marriage with Rowena, Cedrie's lovely ward. He returns as a palmer. He finds the unscrupulous Brian de Bois Guilbert plotting to rob the wealthy Jew, Isaac. He wins at the lists at Ashby, but faints from wounds. Rebecca, Isaac's daughter nurses him. She is carried away by Brian. Robin Hood and Richard - I make an assault on the castle of Torquibstone but Brian escapes with Rebecca. When she is to be burned as a sorceress, Ivanhoe fights as her champion, killing Brian. Ivanhoe marries Rowena.
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Critical Analysis
John and Richard are only historical characters. Ivanhoe, the hero is an imaginary character who has all the mediaeval trappings. Wamba and Garth are interesting characters. It recreates the history of the mediaeval England. It is a marvellous feat of imaginative recreation. It gives a vivid and brilliant picture of mediaeval life in England at the time when the Norman conquerors and the Saxon conquerors were beginning to combine into a nation. The great scenes of the tournament, the storming of the castle, the trial by combat, represent the spectacular side of the middle ages; every aspect of the mediaeval life is depicted in the novel the camp and the court, the city and the castle, the Sherwood forest and the monasteries. The triangular love between Ivanhoe and Rebecca and Rowena is described with psychological realism.