Ivanhoe · Chapter
Chapter XII explained
The chapter describes the conclusion of the great tournament at Ashby-de-la-Zouche.
What happens
The chapter describes the conclusion of the great tournament at Ashby-de-la-Zouche. The Disinherited Knight (Ivanhoe) is named champion of the day after the mysterious Black Knight disappears. He is led to receive his chaplet from Lady Rowena, but when his helmet is removed, his identity is revealed, causing a faint shriek from Rowena and consternation among the spectators, especially Cedric. Ivanhoe collapses from a wound received during the combat.
Themes in this chapter
Chivalry and Honor
The tournament's rules and the awarding of the chaplet highlight the ideals of knightly valor and honor, though Prince John's favoritism undermines them.
Power and Tyranny
Prince John's attempt to manipulate the tournament's outcome demonstrates his arbitrary exercise of power.
Love and Loyalty
Rowena's emotional reaction to Ivanhoe's identity and her composure in awarding the chaplet reflect her loyalty and love.
Characters to notice
- Wilfred of Ivanhoe
Revealed as the Disinherited Knight; collapses from a wound after receiving the chaplet.
- Lady Rowena
Queen of Love and Beauty; faints upon recognizing Ivanhoe but composes herself to award the chaplet.
- Cedric the Saxon
Struck mute by the sudden appearance of his banished son; rushes forward to separate him from Rowena.
- Prince John
Attempts to award the prize to the Black Knight but is forced to name the Disinherited Knight champion.
- Brian de Bois-Guilbert
Implied as a challenger; part of the opposing party in the tournament.
- Maurice de Bracy
Joins the challengers at Prince John's hint.
- Locksley
Not directly mentioned in this excerpt, but associated with the outlaws; omitted as no clear presence.
Key passages
“a faint shriek; but at once summoning up the energy of her disposition, and compelling herself, as it were, to proceed, while her frame yet trembled with the violence of sudden emotion, she placed upon the drooping head of the victor the splendid chaplet which was the destined reward of the day, and pronounced, in a clear and distinct tone, these words: 'I bestow on thee this chaplet, Sir Knight, as the meed of valour assigned to this day’s victor:'”
Rowena gave a small cry, but quickly gathered her strength and, though still shaking, placed the victory wreath on the knight's head and declared him the day's champion.
Rowena's composure under shock as she awards Ivanhoe the chaplet.
“It being now the duty of Prince John to name the knight who had done best, he determined that the honour of the day remained with the knight whom the popular voice had termed Le Noir Faineant.”
Prince John was supposed to choose the best knight, but he decided to give the prize to the one called the Black Sluggard, ignoring the Disinherited Knight's clear victory.
Prince John's biased decision to favor the Black Knight.
“Through a field slippery with blood, and encumbered with broken armour and the bodies of slain and wounded horses, the marshals of the lists again conducted the victor to the foot of Prince John’s throne.”
The marshals led the winner across the bloody, debris-strewn field back to Prince John's throne.
The grim aftermath of the tournament.