Summary
Set in 12th-century England during the reign of King Richard the Lionheart, Ivanhoe follows the story of Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a disinherited knight who remains loyal to the absent king and to ideals of honor, justice, and chivalry.
Returning from the Crusades, Ivanhoe becomes embroiled in the bitter conflict between the Normans and Saxons, the power struggle between Prince John and King Richard, and the tensions between Christians and Jews.
Alongside classic characters like the outlaw Robin Hood (as Locksley), the cunning Friar Tuck, and the noble Rebecca—a Jewish healer persecuted for her faith—Ivanhoe must navigate battles, tournaments, rescues, and political intrigue.
The novel climaxes in a dramatic siege, court trial, and confrontation that explores issues of loyalty, love, cultural identity, and religious prejudice.