This illustration is from Walter Scott's 1819 novel Ivanhoe: A Romance. Set in 12th century England, it follows the adventures of Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a disinherited knight returned from the Crusades. At this point, the badly wounded Ivanhoe is being nursed back to health by Rebecca, daughter of Isaac, the Jewish money-lender. They- and a few others- are imprisoned in Torquilstone Castle by corrupt Templar knights Maurice de Bracy, Brian de Bois-Guilbert, and Reginald Front-de-Boeuf. de Bois-Guilbert has developed an unhealthy obsession with Rebecca and tries- with more force than charm- to seduce her. When she climbs on a castle parapet and threatens to jump rather than become his mistress, even de Bois-Guilbert can see that she's just not that into him and backs off. Meanwhile, Ivanhoe's friends- including Robin of Locksley and the Black Knight- beseige the castle to rescue him and the rest of the captives. During the fighting, the castle is set on fire and a bloodied de Bois-Guilbert, realizing that they are going to be defeated, fights his way through the smoke to the room where Ivanhoe lies injured and grabs Rebecca, carrying her off and escaping from the castle. Ivanhoe is still too weak from his wounds to stop him, and de Bois-Guilbert callously leaves him to burn up. He is rescued by the Black Knight (who turns out to be King Richard) and must later ride to Rebecca's rescue.
Comments
|
About MeI'm a lover of good books, classic movies, and well-written shows (as well as some pretty cheesy ones, to be completely honest). Categories
All
Archives
March 2024
Fun SitesOdds & Ends |