Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe is a historical novel written by Sir Walter Scott, published in December 1819 with the date 1820 on its title page. The book is one of the forerunners and most praised of the historical novel.

The story is set in medieval England in the twelfth century. The protagonist of the story is Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a brave young knight. This gentleman secretly returns from Palestine to England, where the Norman nobles are fighting for power. In this dispute Ivanhoe stands with King Richard the Lionheart against Richard's brother, Prince John. In addition, he wins the love of the beautiful noblewoman Rowena.

Scott mixes historical and fictional elements to give a vivid account of the period, setting the defeated Saxons and their customs against the Norman lords who hold the country. Much of the novel's weight falls on Rebecca, the Jewish healer who is put on trial for witchcraft, and on the treatment of England's Jews, which Scott does not soften. One of his minor characters, the outlaw Locksley, is Robin Hood.

The book has been made into movies several times and taken to the stage in theater and opera.