Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe is a novel by Sir Walter Scott. It was written in 1819 and set in 12th century England, an example of historical fiction. Ivanhoe is sometimes given credit for helping to increase popular interest in the middle ages in 19th century Europe.

Related Topics:
Novel - Sir Walter Scott - 1819 - 12th century - England - Historical fiction - Middle ages - 19th century - Europe

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It is the story of one of the remaining Saxon noble families, at a time when the nobility was overwhelmingly Norman. It follows the protagonist, Wilfred of Ivanhoe—a scion of the Saxon family out of favor with his father due to his allegiance to the Norman king Richard I of England—as he comes back from the Crusades. The legendary Robin Hood, under the title of Locksley, is also a character in the story, and the character Scott gave him in Ivanhoe shaped the modern idea of Robin Hood, the cheery noble outlaw.

Related Topics:
Saxon - Norman - Richard I of England - Crusades - Robin Hood

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Ivanhoe himself spends much of the story out of action, having been seriously wounded in the opening chapters. He is nursed by Rebecca, daughter of Isaac the Jew, but there can never be a romance between them, partly because of her religion and partly because Ivanhoe is already betrothed to the Saxon Rowena, his childhood love. However, his great enemy, the Templar Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, finds Rebecca so irresistible that he is prepared to sacrifice everything for her. Many of the book's critics prefer Rebecca as a heroine to the relatively colourless Rowena.

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In 1850, the novelist William Makepeace Thackeray wrote a spoof sequel to Ivanhoe called Rebecca and Rowena.

Related Topics:
William Makepeace Thackeray - Rebecca and Rowena

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The location of the novel is centred upon South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire in England. Indeed the castle within the story is based upon Conisbrough Castle near Doncaster and still stands today as a popular tourist attraction. Reference is made within the story to the Bishop of Sheffield. These references within the story contribute to the notion that Robin Hood lived or travelled in and around this area.

Related Topics:
South Yorkshire - Nottinghamshire - England - Conisbrough Castle - Doncaster - Sheffield - Robin Hood

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The ancient town of Conisbrough is so dedicated to the story of Ivanhoe that many of the streets, schools and public buildings are named either after characters from the book or the 12th Century Castle.

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