In Ivanhoe, a historical novel by Sir Walter Scott, Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe is a Saxon crusader, returning home to England from the unsuccessful Third Crusade. A supporter of the Norman king Richard the Lionheart, he is disowned by his father. Featuring colorful descriptions of tournaments, outlaws, witch trials and tensions between Jews and Christians, it is also notable for its vivid and lasting depictions of historical figures such as Robin Hood, Richard the Lionheart and King John. First published in 1820, it has been credited with kindling a new interest in romance and the middle ages.
About the author
Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) was a Scottish writer famous for his poetry and historical novels, including “The Bride of Lammermoor”, “Ivanhoe” and “Rob Roy”. As a child, he contracted polio, which left him lame. Fascinated by Scottish stories, he began writing as a sideline from his daily work as a municipal clerk. After achieving worldwide fame for his poetry, he began writing novels in 1814 when he published “Waverley”. Though published anonymously to protect his reputation as a poet, the blockbuster success of his novels eventually led him to take credit for them. He continues to be one of the most widely read authors in the English language.