# Chapter XXVII explained — Ivanhoe

> Chapter companion for Ivanhoe by Walter Scott.

## What happens

In this chapter, the captives at Torquilstone Castle negotiate their ransom while tensions rise between Normans and Saxons. Front-de-Boeuf and De Bracy confront Athelstane and Wamba, discovering that Cedric has escaped disguised as a monk. Meanwhile, Urfried (Ulrica) reveals her tragic past to Cedric, confessing her guilt as the daughter of Torquil Wolfganger and her life as the paramour of her father's murderer.

## Themes in this chapter

### Norman-Saxon Conflict

The chapter highlights the deep animosity between Normans and Saxons, as seen in Athelstane's proud declaration of Saxon lineage and Front-de-Boeuf's contempt for Saxon captives.

### Power and Tyranny

Front-de-Boeuf's threats of torture and execution, and the treatment of captives, exemplify the tyrannical use of power by Norman lords.

### Love and Loyalty

Athelstane's loyalty to his affianced bride Rowena and his defense of Wamba, who saved Cedric's life, demonstrate themes of love and loyalty.

### Gender and Agency

Urfried's confession reveals her lack of agency as a woman, forced into a life of degradation and guilt, while Rebecca is treated as a possession to be excluded from ransom.

## Character check-ins

### Cedric the Saxon

Cedric has escaped the castle disguised as a monk, but is later confronted by Urfried who recognizes him as the son of Hereward of Rotherwood.

### Wamba

Wamba is discovered to be the jester impersonating Cedric, and he bravely faces Front-de-Boeuf's threats with wit and jest.

### Reginald Front-de-Boeuf

Front-de-Boeuf angrily interrogates the captives, threatens Wamba with death, and laments the escape of Cedric.

### Maurice de Bracy

De Bracy intervenes to save Wamba from execution, offering him a place among his Free Companions, and engages in a verbal duel with Athelstane over Lady Rowena.

### Athelstane of Coningsburgh

Athelstane negotiates a ransom for himself and his companions, but refuses to abandon Lady Rowena or Wamba, asserting his noble Saxon lineage.

### Brian de Bois-Guilbert

The Templar joins the discussion, insisting that Isaac and Rebecca are excluded from any ransom agreement.

### Ulrica

Urfried (Ulrica) reveals her identity as the daughter of Torquil Wolfganger and confesses her life of degradation and guilt as the paramour of her father's murderer.

### Rebecca

Rebecca is briefly mentioned as being driven back to her apartment by Urfried, and is excluded from ransom negotiations by the Templar.

## Key lines

> I will be drawn by wild horses before I consent to part with her. The slave Wamba has this day saved the life of my father Cedric⁠—I will lose mine ere a hair of his head be injured.

Athelstane declares he would rather be torn apart by horses than abandon his betrothed, Lady Rowena, and that he would give his own life to protect Wamba, who saved Cedric.

_Athelstane's fierce loyalty to Rowena and Wamba is expressed in this dramatic vow._

> My lineage, proud Norman, is drawn from a source more pure and ancient than that of a beggarly Frenchman, whose living is won by selling the blood of the thieves whom he assembles under his paltry standard.

Athelstane retorts to De Bracy that his Saxon ancestry is nobler and older than that of a Norman mercenary who profits from the blood of outlaws.

_This exchange underscores the Norman-Saxon conflict and Athelstane's pride in his heritage._

> I was not born, father, the wretch that thou now seest me. I was free, was happy, was honoured, loved, and was beloved. I am now a slave, miserable and degraded⁠—the sport of my masters' passions while I had yet beauty⁠—the object of their contempt, scorn, and hatred, since it has passed away.

Urfried tells Cedric that she was once a free and happy woman, loved and honored, but is now a degraded slave, used for her beauty and then despised when it faded.

_Urfried's tragic confession reveals her fall from grace and the horrors of her life under Norman rule._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xxvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ivanhoe_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters