Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe – a historical romance marked the beginning of Sir Walter Scott's change of focus from Scotland to England. The writer, born in Scotland, had so far set his novels on his own native land. The story of Ivanhoe dates back to 12th century England, during the reign of Richard-Iand presents a complex intertwining conflict of Anglo-Saxon-Norman of the time. The plot revolves around one of the remaining Saxon noble families when English nobility was overwhelmingly Norman. The protagonist is a Saxon, Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe who is disinherited by his father Cedric for his support to the Norman King Richard I of England. Parallel to this is the romance between Wilfred and Rowena, Cedric's ward. After several intriguing circumstances, Cedric realises that since the Saxons may never reclaim the throne, he would rather be loyal to the Norman King Richard. There is a happy ending with Wilfred marrying Rowena. A classic combination of historical realism with romance, power, glory in an artistic narrative, the novel is fascinating, entertaining and appealing and stands out to be the best in the depiction of chivalric culture.