Set in the reign of Richard I, Coeur de Lion, Ivanhoe is packed with memorable incidents
- sieges, ambushes & combats
- & equally memorable characters: Cedric of Rotherwood, the die-hard Saxon; his ward Rowena; the fierce Templar knight, Sir Brian de Bois-Gilbert; the Jew, Isaac of York, & his beautiful, spirited daughter Rebecca; Wamba & Gurth, jester & swineherd respectively. Scott explores the conflicts between the Crown & the powerful Barons, between the Norman overlords & the conquered Saxons, & between Richard & his scheming brother, Prince John. At the same time he brings into the novel the legendary Robin Hood & his b&, & creates a brilliant, colourful account of the age of chivalry with all its elaborate rituals & costumes & its values of honour & personal glory.