Ivanhoe

Set around 12th century England and Europe, it is a romance that follows its eponymous protagonist, a young knight from Locksley who becomes embroiled in the conflict between Prince John and his father King Richard The Lionheart. The story's climax takes place at Lincoln Cathedral and includes a scene known as “the tournament at Ashby-de-la-Zouch”, with descriptions of medieval society interspersed throughout.

Sir Walter Scott wrote Ivanhoe in 1819. The book was published the following year by Hurst, Robinson and Co. For this novel, Sir Walter Scott is regarded as a master of English prose fiction. His work was not well-received at first because it contained so many characters and symbols from different eras. Ivanhoe is considered a historical romance; however, it has both elements of tragic drama and comedy as well. This influence can be attributed to Scott's interest in Shakespeare.

For the writing of Ivanhoe, Scott was inspired by his stay at the castle of Abbotsford. He enjoyed so much reading about King Richard I of England and wanted to know more about that period. Scott then went from England to France, Germany, and Austria for research, where he wrote letters back home describing what he had seen abroad.