Ivanhoe · Chapter
Chapter XXXV explained
Isaac of York journeys to Templestowe to ransom his daughter Rebecca from Brian de Bois-Guilbert, but is intercepted by the Grand Master Lucas de Beaumanoir, who condemns Rebecca as a sorceress and threatens her life.
What happens
Isaac of York journeys to Templestowe to ransom his daughter Rebecca from Brian de Bois-Guilbert, but is intercepted by the Grand Master Lucas de Beaumanoir, who condemns Rebecca as a sorceress and threatens her life. A letter from Prior Aymer is intercepted, revealing the Prior's worldly and irreverent tone, which further enrages Beaumanoir.
Themes in this chapter
Antisemitism and Prejudice
Beaumanoir's virulent hatred of Jews is central; he condemns Rebecca as a witch and treats Isaac with contempt, reflecting the deep-seated religious prejudice of the era.
Power and Tyranny
Beaumanoir exercises absolute authority over the Templars and over Isaac, using his position to threaten and expel the Jew without due process.
Characters to notice
- Isaac of York
Travels to Templestowe to negotiate Rebecca's ransom; is physically and emotionally weakened; expelled from the preceptory after being interrogated by Beaumanoir.
- Rebecca
Imprisoned with Brian de Bois-Guilbert; accused of sorcery by Beaumanoir due to her healing arts learned from Miriam.
- Brian de Bois-Guilbert
The Templar knight holding Rebecca; mentioned in Prior Aymer's letter as being bewitched by her.
- Lucas de Beaumanoir
The Grand Master of the Templars, present at Templestowe; harsh, fanatical, and prejudiced against Jews; condemns Rebecca as a witch.
- Conrade de Mont-Fitchet
Beaumanoir's confidant; interprets the gallant language in Prior Aymer's letter for the Grand Master.
- Nathan Ben Israel
A Jewish rabbi and physician who shelters Isaac and warns him of Beaumanoir's cruelty.
Key passages
“lose place by place, foot by foot, before the infidels, when we have such churchmen as this Aymer.”
We are losing ground to the Muslims because of corrupt churchmen like Prior Aymer.
Beaumanoir criticizes the moral decay of the clergy, blaming them for Christian defeats in the Holy Land.
“Thy daughter worketh the cures, I doubt not, by words and sighs, and periapts, and other cabalistical mysteries.”
Your daughter probably performs her healings through spells and magical charms.
Beaumanoir accuses Rebecca of using sorcery rather than natural medicine, reflecting his prejudice.
“Her body was burnt at a stake, and her ashes were scattered to the four winds; and so be it with me and mine Order, if I do not as much to her pupil, and more also!”
Miriam was burned as a witch, and I swear to do the same to her student Rebecca.
Beaumanoir threatens Rebecca with execution by burning, referencing the fate of her teacher Miriam.