Ivanhoe

Walter Scott
55 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 1819

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Wilfred is the estranged son of Cedric the Saxon. He is a brave knight who remains fiercely devoted to the Norman King Richard I despite his Saxon heritage. His dedication to chivalry dictates his actions, ensuring he operates with honor and courage.

Key Relationships

Romantic Interest of Lady Rowena

Loyal Subject of King Richard I

Rowena is a beautiful young noblewoman from a leading Saxon family and the ward of Cedric. She embodies the traditional ideals of a high-born lady, possessing a queenly demeanor and treating others generously. She stubbornly resists Cedric's attempts to arrange a political marriage for her.

Key Relationships

Romantic Interest of Wilfred of Ivanhoe

Unwanted Suitor of Athelstane the Unready

Pursued by Maurice de Bracy

Cedric is a wealthy and proud nobleman fiercely devoted to his Saxon heritage. He resents the Norman ruling class and aggressively champions Saxon rights, dreaming of seeing a Saxon monarch return to the throne. Though generous and hospitable, his stubbornness causes him to act rashly and alienate those closest to him.

Key Relationships

Guardian of Lady Rowena

Political Ally of Athelstane the Unready

Enslaver of Gurth

Enslaver of Wamba

Rebecca is the beautiful and intelligent daughter of a Jewish moneylender. She is a skilled healer with an unshakeable moral compass. Despite facing constant religious prejudice from the Christian society around her, she remains generous, courageous, and dignified.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Isaac of York

Acquaintance of Lady Rowena

Brian is a formidable Knight Templar known for his military prowess in the Crusades. He is ambitious and highly unprincipled, using his martial skill and religious affiliation to justify his cruel actions. He pursues his desires ruthlessly, caring little for the honor he publicly professes.

Key Relationships

Unwanted Suitor of Rebecca

Traveling Companion of Prior Aymer

Richard is the celebrated Norman King of England who left the country to lead the Third Crusade. He is known for his bravery, martial skill, and dedication to chivalry, though his focus on adventure leaves his kingdom vulnerable to the tyrannical ambitions of his brother.

Key Relationships

Brother of Prince John

Liege Lord to Wilfred of Ivanhoe

Prince John is the cruel and despotic younger brother of King Richard. He serves as regent during his brother's absence, using the position to plot a permanent seizure of the throne. He is impulsive and arrogant, constantly working to sow discord among the Saxon nobility.

Key Relationships

Brother of King Richard I

Leader of Waldemar Fitzurse

Supporting Characters

Isaac is a Jewish moneylender who frequently faces intense prejudice and mistreatment from the Norman and Saxon characters alike. He is highly protective of his wealth, often using claims of poverty to shield himself, but he prioritizes the safety of his daughter above all else.

Key Relationships

Father of Rebecca

Financier of Wilfred of Ivanhoe

Gurth is an enslaved swineherd working on Cedric's estate. Though occasionally quick-tempered, he proves highly capable and intensely loyal to his household. He harbors resentment toward the Norman occupation and strives to protect those he serves.

Key Relationships

Enslaved by Cedric the Saxon

Friend of Wamba

Loyal Servant to Wilfred of Ivanhoe

Companion to Fangs

Wamba is a jester, or fool, enslaved by Cedric. He uses his sharp wit and humor to offer insightful commentary on the power dynamics between Normans and Saxons. Behind his comedic exterior lies a deep devotion to Cedric and a willingness to put himself in danger for his household.

Key Relationships

Enslaved by Cedric the Saxon

Companion of Gurth

Athelstane is a high-born Saxon nobleman who descends from ancient royalty. He is notably apathetic and highly motivated by food, lacking the decisive nature required for the grand political plans Cedric envisions for him.

Key Relationships

Political Ally of Cedric the Saxon

Arranged Suitor to Lady Rowena

Antagonized by Prince John

Maurice is a handsome mercenary knight and a member of Prince John's Norman court. He is an ambitious warrior who seeks to elevate his social and financial standing by securing a high-profile marriage. He demonstrates a willingness to employ deceit to achieve his goals.

Key Relationships

Supporter of Prince John

Captor of Lady Rowena

Conspirator with Brian de Bois-Guilbert

Locksley is an incredibly skilled yeoman archer and the leader of a band of forest outlaws. He operates outside the Norman legal system, adhering to his own strict code of honor and justice to protect the disenfranchised lower classes.

Key Relationships

Associate of The Clerk of Copmanhurst

Antagonized by Prince John

The Clerk is an unrefined hedge priest living in the forest. He maintains the outward appearance of a religious ascetic but secretly enjoys heavy drinking, feasting, and fraternizing with outlaws.

Key Relationships

Associate of Locksley

Aymer is a wealthy Norman clergyman who prioritizes worldly luxuries over his religious vows. He uses his high position within the church to satisfy his personal appetites and align himself with powerful nobles.

Key Relationships

Traveling Companion of Brian de Bois-Guilbert

Supporter of Prince John

Reginald is a brutal and greedy Norman nobleman who controls the castle of Torquilstone. He represents the purest savagery of the Norman occupation, displaying a willingness to torture prisoners for financial gain.

Key Relationships

Supporter of Prince John

Captor and Tormentor of Isaac of York

Enslaver and Abuser of Ulrica

Waldemar is a cunning Norman advisor to Prince John. He attempts to manage his leader's impulsive behavior and organize the Norman nobles into a cohesive political force against King Richard's potential return.

Key Relationships

Advisor to Prince John

Political Ally of Maurice de Bracy

Lucas is the Grand Master of the Templar order. He is an extreme religious fanatic who strictly enforces the rules of his order, acting with superstitious zeal when he suspects witchcraft or corruption among his knights.

Key Relationships

Superior of Albert Malvoisin

Persecutor of Rebecca

Albert is the Preceptor of Templestowe. He is a pragmatic and worldly figure within the church who helps facilitate the selfish ambitions of his fellow knights while attempting to avoid the wrath of his strict superiors.

Key Relationships

Subordinate of Lucas Beaumanoir

Ulrica is an elderly Saxon woman held captive at Torquilstone for many years. She harbors immense guilt and rage over her survival and subjugation at the hands of the Normans who murdered her family.

Key Relationships

Captive of Reginald Front-de-Boeuf

Acquaintance of Cedric the Saxon

Fangs is Gurth's loyal black dog, who assists the swineherd in his daily duties and serves as a constant companion.

Key Relationships

Pet of Gurth