"Ballad of the valiant knight Ivanhoe." The victory of nobility over perfidy

The novel "The Ballad of the Valiant Knight Ivanhoe" for many generations has become a model of nobility and courage. Sir Walter Scott succeeded in solving in his most famous knightly novel a super task. He literally threaded a British epic from the time of Richard the Lionheart literally, and from the resulting one - weaved a new one, immersing it in the shell of the novel.

Historical disposition

XII century - not the best times for Britain, defeated a century ago by the Norman conquerors in the Battle of Hastings. A proud country gathered with strength to throw off the yoke.

The ruler, able to lift England from his knees - Richard the Lionheart - was missing, captivated by the Duke of Austria. Prince John is trying to seize the throne. About such a difficult historical situation tells us "The Ballad of the Knight Ivanhoe."

Tan (Scottish Lord) Cedric of Rutherwood follows a noble goal - to drive the Norman conquerors from their homeland. But at the same time he tolerates a tactical mistake, betting on the leadership qualities of Atelston of Koningsburg, who simply do not have them. In order to artificially give more political weight to his protege, he decides to marry him to his pupil Lady Rowena, the heiress of King Alfred the Great (who liberated Britain two centuries before the Vikings).

Staging the plot

Knowing about the political game of his father Cedric, the incognito comes back from the crusade, the knight of Richard the Lionheart - Wilfred Ivanhoe. He is in love with Rowena, as she is in him. Therefore, pretending to be a pilgrim, the knight aspires to the tournament at Ashby, timed to the wedding. This is his only chance to change something. "The Ballad of Ivanhoe" gets a plot here.

Bad weather causes him, unrecognized, to hide together with other travelers in his father's guest house. A noble tan gives his shelter to anyone who asks him. Under one roof with the main character is and once defeated him in the tournament, Briand de Boisguillebert. This is a mighty and mercantile monk, a soldier of the Order of Templars. Humility and righteousness are not his. Only in one evening he manages to start a quarrel with Ivanhoe (slandering Richard the Lionheart), and give an order to seize the Jew Isaac, intending to enrich himself at his expense. "The Ballad of the Valiant Knight Ivanhoe" tells of the warning of a Jew by a knight, for which he, from gratitude, gives him patronage - a note to his brother-merchant asking him to lend Ivanhoe armor and a warhorse with a harness.

Ashby Tournament

When it seemed that the tournament in honor of the Lady Rowena, which is his brand - the queen of love and beauty, won Briand de Boisguillebert, suddenly everything changes. Ivanhoe, who arrived incognito, with the motto "Deprived of an inheritance", inscribed on the shield, causes the knight monk to fight and defeats him. Individual fights with the instigators of the tournament - also in his favor. The next day, the rules of action assume a group battle. Knights Templars are experienced warriors, and Boisguillebert is confident of the success of this fight. This is what is happening, but suddenly the Black Knight comes to Ivanhoe's aid. "Ballad of Valiant Knight Ivanhoe" introduces a new character into the plot. But is it so new? Together they win.

When, however, according to custom, Lady Rowena, before placing the crown on the head of the knight-winner, removes his helmet from him, she sees before her a bloodless face Ivanhoe. His numerous wounds bleed, and he falls, losing consciousness. Present at the tournament, Prince John is informed that Richard the Lionheart is free and returns. The mortally frightened prince goes to great lengths to enlist the support of the vassals frustrated with the loss at the tournament. He promises De Brasi a profit, hypocritically recommending that he attack Tan Cedric and take his condition to his hands.

Fighting the Normans

Tan Cedric and Atelston of Koningsburg return from the tournament with Isaac and his daughter Rebekah joining them. Grateful Jews on a stretcher take the wounded Ivanhoe. They are enchanted by the Normans - Brian de Boisguillebert and De Brasi. And, as usual in romantic novels, de Boisguillebert falls in love with Rebekah, and De Brasi sympathizes with Lady Rowena. However, as they say, the ground already burns under the feet of the Normans: the castle of the robber De Brasi is attacked by free yeomen led by the Black Knight and defeated. All are released and return home.

"The Ballad of the Valiant Knight Ivanhoe" also tells about the risk to the life of the legitimate King of Britain. Released at the will of de Brasi finds out in the Black Knight of Richard the Lionheart and informs Prince John about it. He, not being distinguished by his nobility, sends his satrap Fitz-Urs. In a critical situation, Richard trumpeted into the horn, presented by the leader of the yeomen, Loxley. He comes to the rescue. Richard the Lionheart reveals his incognito Loksley, and he does not remain in debt, having opened his name - Robin Hood.

Boisguillebert, trying to take Rebekah, kills the sword of Atelston of Konigsburg, who has fled to her aid. Further, he makes an obvious stupidity - hides a pagan girl in a monastery. But here everything is under control. The church monitors the morality of the monasteries, periodically checking them. Inspecting the monastery of the monk-warrior grandmaster of the Order of Bomanuar, in accordance with the legal practice of the 12th century, orders demonstratively to execute Rebekah. The principle is unoriginal: there is no person - there is no sin.

Happy end

Rebekah enjoys the right to prove his innocence by declaring a knightly duel of his defender with the accuser (who was swindling and seizing Boisguilbert). On the request of the girl is reported not yet recovered after the wounds Ivanhoe received. He hurries to the rescue. In a duel with the opponent, the hero, exhausted by the long way, miraculously, but wins. The grandmaster announces that Rebekah is innocent.

The end of the novel is a classic happy ending. Entered the throne, Richard the Lionheart generously forgave the repentant Prince John. Tan Cedric crowned the lovers of Ivanhoe and Rowena.