This was one of the first true historical novels- set in the time of the Crusades in England.

The story focuses on Ivanhoe- a young knight who left his father's home to go to the Crusades. He loves his father's guardian, Lady Rowena- and she loves him. Stories about him betraying the King of England abound in his absence. Cedric believes these stories the Saxon, Ivanhoe's father, and he determines to disinherit Ivanhoe. Rowena, however, cannot believe it and feels sure something is amiss.

One night a Isaac- a traveling Jew, Sir Brian Du Bois-Gilbert, a Prior, and a stranger come and ask for lodging at Cedric's. Cedric is a hospitable man, shutting his doors to no one. He lets all of the guests come in- including the Jew- although then Jews were not liked at all and lived a difficult life.

The stranger sits through this conference strangely silent… and in the early morning warns the Jew that Bois-Gilbert is intending to kill him and leaves. He takes with him, however, Gurth the Swineherd. Gurth the swineherd accompanies them after something (what we do not know until later) is whispered in his ear by the stranger.

The tournament is held- and it doesn't look too good for the Saxons until a Knight comes riding in- giving his name only as "disinherited Knight." He is constantly defeating all the Normans, including Bois-Gilbert- which is making Prince John rather angry. But then the "mock war" starts. This is a pretend battle- with certain rules. As soon as it starts- the rules are broken by the Normans who start attacking the Knight and his "soldiers" right and left until only the Knight is left standing- with two soldiers against him. But then… drum roll please! A black knight comes riding across the plain- helps the Disinherited Knight to win and then leaves just as he came.

The wounded Disinherited Knight goes forward to receive his prize- and promptly passes out from blood loss… his helmet falls off revealing him to be… IVANHOE!!! Isaac the Jew and his healing daughter Rebecca- thus beginning an adventure that continues for the next two hundred pages whisk him off.

The characters are many and different… Robin Hood of Lockesly, Gurth the Swineherd, Prince John, King Richard, Brian Du Bois-Guilbert, Queen Elinor, they are all combined to make a wonderful story that shows exactly how things were in the time of the Crusades.

Movies Based on the Book

I have seen one movie based on the book- although there are several versions.

Actors: Steven Waddington, Susan Lynch, Victoria Smurfit, Christopher Lee

Company: A&E and BBC

Director: Stuart Orme

Year: 1997

Acting: Marvelous! Susan Lynch (the Jewess Rebecca) has a perfect accent. All of the actors are wonderful at doing their parts.

Screen Play: This is where things get a little iffy. Although they did a wonderful job showing medieval England- they messed up in a few areas and changed things around. The script has Ivanhoe falling in love with Rebecca- when he's already sworn love to Rowena. True, he thought Rowena was already married to someone else. And, this is rather revisionist history. As awful as it is- the Jewish people were a reviled and persecuted people then. A Knight would have never thought of becoming close friends with a Jewess, let alone falling in love with her. In the book Ivanhoe appreciates Rebecca's talent and does try to help her- but he doesn't and wouldn't, if really a person, do what he would have done in the movie. And, in one part a Characters lie is shown in a good light.

Filming: Beautiful England! This is really a lavish production- beautiful and realistic costumes- well set up scenes (esp. the tournament one).

Things you might not like in this movie: there are a few bloody scenes where you will probably want younger ones to close their eyes. There are also a few innuendoes…

Rating: this was originally on TV- so it was not given an official rating. I would put it at PG or PG-10. J