Ivanhoe

IVANHOE

This story goes about two rival clans which hate each other and have been battling each other to their deaths. There was a person name King Richard the lion-hearted, though he was a Norman, he tried to restore peace and harmony between each clans but failed to do so.
He then left his throne and kingdom to join the crusades. In the meantime, his brother, john, immediately seized the throne and was careful to retain his crown.
There ware many characters in each side as follows:

Normans: - Prior aymer
- Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert
- Prince John
- King Richard the lion-hearted
- Sir Front-de-Boeuf
- Sir de Grantmesnil
- Sir Philip de Malvoisin
- The Grand Master of the Templars
- The Abbot of Templestowe

Saxons: - Cedric the Saxon
- Princess Rowena, Cedric's ward
- Wilfred of Ivanhoe ( Sir Desdichado )
- Prince Athelstane
- Wamba the Jester
- Ulrica


Others: - Isaac of York
- Rebecca of York
- Locksley of Sherwood Forest (Robin Hood)
- Friar Tuck

The story goes about a group of Normans was riding through a forest when they were struck with a heavy thunderstorm which forced them to take shelter in their enemy's castle, Rother wood. Cedric's ward was a beautiful maiden named Rowena and even the Normans, their enemy, liked her. However, it was a crime for a Norman and Cedric would certainly disallow it. Rowena was bethrolled with Prince Athelstane but whom she loves dearly was actually Ivanhoe, a great knight.
After the dinner was over, a pilgrim emerged from the shadows and grabbed Rowena, it was Ivanhoe! He was not dead as Guilbert claim he was. Cedric, Ivanhoe's father banished him from the castle as he broke the law of loving Rowena even when she was bethrolled to a man she didn't love. Hence, he had to disguise himself as a pilgrim to keep his identity a secret and they could see each other without anyone knowing.
There was a tournament which both clans put their best knights forward to battle each other. Guilbert, a great warrior, and 5 others represented the Normans and 5 Saxon knights challenged them. Saxon lost and just then, Desdichado ( Ivanhoe ) stepped up and humiliated all the Norman knights including Guilbert and was crowned champion. The second round begins and when Desdichado ( Ivanhoe )was outnumbered, a black knight came and rescued him, defeating the Normans. Just as he was about to receive the crown, Ivanhoe collapsed, senseless, to be helped by Rebecca, Isaac the merchant's daughter, who was a great healer, helped him.
Guilbert was angry and plotted a plan to destroy the Saxons as well as Ivanhoe but was foiled by De bracy of Norman by a mistake but then captured the Saxons to be held hostage for a ransom. One Saxon escaped and asked Robin Hood for help. Rebecca, Isaac the merchant and Rowena were help hostage and Isaac was tortured to give his gold. Guilbert liked Rebecca whom he thought she was gorgeous and wanted to woo her although Rebecca hated him.
Robin Hood and his troops attacked and destroyed the Normans, the Saxons safe. Only Rebecca was taken away by Guilbert and got in trouble with the Norman authorities by bringing back women. Rebecca was later sentenced to trial and had to be burnt alive if a knight from Saxon do not win a battle against Guilbert. Guilbert on the other hand was really remorseful for bringing Rebecca to such a state and when the trial began and guilbert was dead and Rebecca was rescued.

My favourite characters Ivanhoe for I admire his affection for Rowena and his bravery to save Rebecca

Rowena and Ivanhoe lived happily ever after and Rebecca and Isaac left.

Through this story, it talks about sacrifice which guilbert had to save Rebecca from being burnt. I can infer from the story that Ivanhoe did not kill guilbert as he was too weak, guilbert killed himself just to make sure Rebecca was no burnt alive. There were also many obstacles for Ivanhoe to be with Rowena but in this story, true love conquers all.