IX explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Chivalry and Honor

  The Disinherited Knight's refusal to reveal his identity and his courteous behavior exemplify the chivalric code, while Prince John's manipulation contrasts with true honor.

• Power and Tyranny

  Prince John's fear of his brother Richard and his attempts to control the tournament outcome illustrate the theme of power and its abuses.

• Antisemitism and Prejudice

  Prince John's earlier jest about Rebecca and Isaac's anxious focus on material wealth reflect the prejudice and marginalization faced by Jews.

Characters to notice

• Wilfred of Ivanhoe

  The Disinherited Knight who wins the tournament and remains incognito, refusing to raise his visor.

• Prince John

  Presides over the tournament, grows suspicious and fearful that the victor might be King Richard, and attempts to manipulate the choice of Queen of Beauty.

• Waldemar Fitzurse

  Reassures Prince John that the knight is not King Richard due to size differences, and is concerned about his daughter Alicia's honor.

• Lady Rowena

  Watches the tournament with intense interest, and is the lady before whom the Disinherited Knight pauses, hinting at his choice.

• Cedric the Saxon

  Overjoyed at the Templar's defeat and the discomfiture of Front-de-Boeuf and Malvoisin, he watches the victor with great enthusiasm.

• Isaac of York

  Anxiously watches the tournament, concerned for the safety of the knight's horse and armor, and rejoices in his victory.

• Rebecca

  Observes the tournament with her father Isaac, showing calmness and understanding of the knight's risks.

• Athelstane of Coningsburgh

  Shows rare signs of animation, toasting the Disinherited Knight with a goblet of muscadine.

Key passages

• “He wished to banish from the minds of the chivalry around him his own indecent and unacceptable jest respecting the Jewess Rebecca; he was desirous of conciliating Alicia’s father Waldemar, of whom he stood in awe, and who had more than once shown himself dissatisfied during the course of the day’s proceedings.”

  Prince John wanted to distract the knights from his offensive joke about Rebecca and to win over Waldemar Fitzurse, whom he feared and who had been displeased earlier.

  Reveals Prince John's manipulative motives and his awareness of his own misstep.

• “The Disinherited Knight passed the gallery close to that of the Prince, in which the Lady Alicia was seated in the full pride of triumphant beauty, and, pacing forwards as slowly as he had hitherto rode swiftly around the lists, he seemed to exercise his right of examining the numerous fair faces which adorned that splendid circle.”

  The knight rode slowly past Lady Alicia's gallery, using his privilege to survey the many beautiful women present.

  Highlights the knight's deliberate choice and the ceremonial nature of selecting the Queen of Beauty.

• “At length the champion paused beneath the balcony in which the Lady Rowena was placed, and the expectation of the spectators was excited to the utmost.”

  Finally, the knight stopped under the balcony where Lady Rowena sat, building intense anticipation among the crowd.

  Climactic moment indicating the knight's preference for Rowena.

• ““If he risks his own person and limbs, father,” said Rebecca, “in doing such a dreadful battle, he can scarce be expected to spare his horse and armour.””

  Rebecca reasoned that a knight risking his life in combat would not be overly concerned about his horse and armor.

  Shows Rebecca's practical wisdom and contrast with her father's material concerns.