# Chapter XXXVIII explained — Ivanhoe

> Chapter companion for Ivanhoe by Walter Scott.

## What happens

Rebecca stands trial before the Templar Grand Master Lucas Beaumanoir on charges of sorcery. She demands a trial by combat and sends a message to her father Isaac through the crippled peasant Higg. Isaac meets with Rabbi Ben Samuel, and they resolve to seek help from Wilfred of Ivanhoe. The Grand Master, moved by Rebecca's courage, grants her request and names Brian de Bois-Guilbert as the Templar's champion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Antisemitism and Prejudice

Rebecca is accused of sorcery due to her Jewish faith; the Templars' hostility reflects systemic prejudice.

### Justice and Redemption

Rebecca demands trial by combat as a path to justice; the Grand Master grants it despite her faith.

### Gender and Agency

Rebecca, though a woman and a Jew, boldly asserts her right to a champion and defends her innocence.

## Character check-ins

### Rebecca

On trial for sorcery, demands trial by combat, sends message to her father Isaac.

### Lucas de Beaumanoir

Grand Master presiding over Rebecca's trial; grants her request for a champion.

### Brian de Bois-Guilbert

Named as the Templar's champion in the trial by combat.

### Isaac of York

Receives Rebecca's message via Higg; resolves with Rabbi Ben Samuel to seek Ivanhoe's help.

### Higg

Crippled peasant who delivers Rebecca's scroll to Isaac.

### Albert de Malvoisin

Preceptor who hands the gage of battle to Bois-Guilbert.

### Wilfred of Ivanhoe

Sought by Isaac and Rabbi Ben Samuel as a potential champion for Rebecca.

## Key lines

> I am a maiden, unskilled to dispute for my religion, but I can die for it, if it be God's will.

Rebecca declares she cannot argue theology but is willing to die for her faith.

_Rebecca's steadfastness in the face of death._

> Cast my innocence into the scale, and the glove of silk shall outweigh the glove of iron.

Rebecca asserts that her innocence is more powerful than the Templar's might.

_Rebecca's rhetorical defiance during the trial._

> With gold shalt thou buy their valour, even as with gold thou buyest thine own safety.

Rabbi Ben Samuel advises Isaac that money can purchase a champion.

_The pragmatic approach to securing a defender._

## Links

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