Ivanhoe: A Romance, written by Walter Scott, is a historical novel published in three parts in December 1819. It is one of the Waverley novels, a series of books Scott wrote. This novel was different from Scott’s earlier works because it was set in England during the Middle Ages, not in Scotland or the more recent past. Ivanhoe became one of Scott’s most famous and influential books.

The story takes place in medieval England and includes vivid descriptions of a knight tournament, outlaws, a witch trial, and conflicts between groups such as Jews and Christians, and Normans and Saxons. Many people, including Thomas Carlyle and John Ruskin, believed the novel helped increase interest in stories about chivalry and the Middle Ages. John Henry Newman said Scott "had first turned men's minds in the direction of the Middle Ages." The book also shaped how people today think about historical figures like King Richard the Lionheart, Prince John, and Robin Hood.

Composition and sources

In June 1819, Walter Scott still had serious stomach pain that had caused him to dictate the final part of The Bride of Lammermoor and most of A Legend of the Wars of Montrose, which he completed by the end of May. By early July, Scott had begun dictating his new novel, Ivanhoe, with John Ballantyne and William Laidlaw as assistants. For the second half of the manuscript, Scott was able to write by hand and finished Ivanhoe: A Romance in early November 1819.

Scott used detailed information about the Middle Ages from three books by Joseph Strutt: Horda Angel-cynnan, which describes the customs and habits of people in England (1775–76); Dress and Habits of the People of England (1796–99); and Sports and Pastimes of the People of England (1801). Two historians helped Scott understand the period: Robert Henry’s The History of Great Britain (1771–93) and Sharon Turner’s The History of the Anglo-Saxons from the Earliest Period to the Norman Conquest (1799–1805). Scott most directly used a medieval source called The Theatre of Honour and Knight-Hood (1623), translated from French by André Favine, which included the Templar Rule. Scott also used details from the later Middle Ages, including works by Chaucer and the fourteenth-century story Richard Coeur de Lion. The character of Locksley and many parts of the story were definitely influenced by Scott’s work with Joseph Ritson, who had previously compiled Robin Hood: a collection of all the ancient poems, songs and ballads now extant relative to that celebrated English outlaw (1795).

Editions

Ivanhoe was published by Archibald Constable in Edinburgh. All first editions had the date of 1820, but the book was released on 20 December 1819. It was also issued in London on 29 December 1819 by Hurst, Robinson and Co. Like all Waverley novels before 1827, Ivanhoe was published anonymously. The book was printed in 10,000 copies, and the cost was £1 10 s (£1.50, equivalent to £149 in 2021). Scott may have made small changes to the text in the early 1820s, but his major revision was completed in 1829 for the 'Magnum' edition. This version appeared in Volumes 16 and 17 of the Magnum edition in September and October 1830.

The standard modern edition, by Graham Tulloch, was published as Volume 8 of the Edinburgh Edition of the Waverley Novels in 1998. This edition is based on the first edition, with corrections mainly from Scott’s manuscript in the second half of the book. The new material from the Magnum edition is included in Volume 25b.

Plot summary

The story of Ivanhoe takes place in 1194, during a time when most noble families in England were of Norman descent, but a few remained from the earlier Anglo-Saxon era. The main character, Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, is not favored by his father because he supports the Norman king, Richard the Lionheart. After the Third Crusade fails, many Crusaders return to Europe. King Richard, who was captured by Leopold of Austria during his journey home, is believed to still be in prison.

Sir Wilfred is cut off from his family’s wealth and land by his father, Cedric of Rotherwood, for supporting the Norman king and for falling in love with Lady Rowena, a noblewoman under Cedric’s care and a descendant of the Saxon kings. Cedric plans for Lady Rowena to marry Lord Athelstane, a claimant to the English throne through his connection to the last Saxon king, Harold Godwinson. Sir Wilfred joins King Richard on the Third Crusade, where he is said to have played a key role in the Siege of Acre.

The story begins with Norman knights and religious leaders seeking shelter at Rotherwood. A pilgrim, known as a palmer, guides them there. That same night, Isaac of York, a Jewish moneylender, seeks refuge at Rotherwood before heading to a tournament. After dinner, the palmer sees a Norman knight, Brian de Bois-Guilbert, giving orders to his Saracen soldiers to capture Isaac. The palmer helps Isaac escape, with the help of the swineherd Gurth.

Isaac offers the palmer a suit of armor and a war horse to compete in the tournament, believing the palmer is a hidden knight. The palmer is surprised but accepts. The tournament is hosted by Prince John, with Cedric, Athelstane, Lady Rowena, Isaac, his daughter Rebecca, Robin of Locksley, and others in attendance.

On the first day of the tournament, a mysterious knight named "Desdichado" (meaning "Disinherited" in Spanish) defeats Brian de Bois-Guilbert in a joust. He refuses to reveal his identity but is declared the champion and chooses Lady Rowena as the Queen of the Tournament. On the second day, Desdichado leads a group in a melee but is nearly overwhelmed until rescued by a knight nicknamed Le Noir Faineant. When forced to unmask, Desdichado is revealed to be Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, who has returned from the Crusades. This shocks Prince John and his court, as they fear King Richard’s return.

Sir Wilfred is seriously injured during the tournament, but his father does not help him. Instead, Rebecca, a skilled healer, tends to his wounds and convinces her father to take him to York when he recovers. The tournament ends with Robin of Locksley demonstrating his archery skills, and Prince John’s dinner for Saxons ends in conflict.

Between Ashby and York, Isaac, Rebecca, and the wounded Ivanhoe are abandoned by their guards, who fear bandits. Cedric, Athelstane, and Lady Rowena join them, and the group is captured by de Bracy and taken to Torquilstone Castle. Gurth and Wamba the jester escape and find Robin of Locksley, who plans to rescue them.

The Black Knight, who has been staying with a local friar, agrees to help after learning about the captives from Robin. They attack Torquilstone Castle with Robin’s men, including the friar and Saxon soldiers. Inside the castle, de Bracy declares his love for Lady Rowena, who refuses him. Brian de Bois-Guilbert tries to harm Rebecca but is stopped. Front-de-Bœuf demands a ransom from Isaac, who refuses unless his daughter is freed.

When the attackers demand the captives’ surrender, the Normans insist on a priest to give Cedric the Final Sacrament. Cedric’s jester, Wamba, disguises himself as a priest and allows Cedric to escape, sharing information about the castle’s defenses. Cedric meets the Saxon woman Ulrica, who vows revenge on Front-de-Bœuf and advises Cedric to inform the attackers. The attackers storm the castle, which is set on fire by Ulrica, the daughter of the original lord of the castle. Front-de-Bœuf is killed in the fire, and de Bracy surrenders to the Black Knight, who reveals himself as King Richard. Bois-Guilbert escapes with Rebecca, while Isaac is captured by the friar. Lady Rowena is saved by Cedric, and Ivanhoe is rescued by King Richard from the burning castle. Athelstane is wounded and presumed dead while trying to save Rebecca, whom he mistakes for Rowena.

After the battle, Robin of Locksley hosts King Richard. De Bracy informs Prince John of the king’s return and the fall of Torquilstone. Meanwhile, Bois-Guilbert takes Rebecca to a Templar Preceptory, where the Grand Master, Lucas de Beaumanoir, accuses Rebecca of witchcraft. Rebecca requests a trial by combat, and Bois-Guilbert is ordered to fight for the Templars instead of defending her. Rebecca writes to her father to find a champion. Cedric organizes Athelstane’s funeral, where the Black Knight arrives with Ivanhoe. Cedric is upset to learn the knight is King Richard, but the king calms him and reconciles him with his son. During the funeral, Athelstane is found alive by monks, who had placed him in a coffin for money. Athelstane pledges loyalty to King Richard and urges Cedric to allow Rowena to marry Ivanhoe, which Cedric agrees to.

Soon after, Ivanhoe receives a message from Isaac asking him to fight for Rebecca. Ivanhoe rides day and night to reach the trial by combat but is exhausted. Bois-Guilbert refuses to fight, but Ivanhoe accuses him of breaking his word, causing Bois-Guilbert to fight. They clash with lances, and both fall. Ivanhoe rises to finish the fight with his sword, but Bois-Guilbert does not rise and dies from his injuries.

In the end, Ivanhoe and Lady Rowena marry and live a long, happy life. Rebecca and her father leave England to avoid further harm.

Characters

• Cedric the Saxon, from Rotherwood
• Wilfred of Ivanhoe, Cedric's son
• Rowena, a Saxon princess and Cedric's protégée
• Athelstane, a Saxon nobleman and Cedric's relative
• Gurth, Cedric's pig farmer
• Wamba, Cedric's jester
• Oswald, Cedric's cup-bearer
• Elgitha, Rowena's attendant
• Albert Malvoisin, teacher at Templestowe
• Philip Malvoisin, Albert's brother and Cedric's neighbor
• Hubert, Philip's forester
• The Prior of Aymer, abbot of Jorvaulx
• Ambrose, a monk who serves the Prior
• Brian de Bois-Guilbert, a Templar
• Baldwin, Brian's squire
• Isaac of York, a Jewish money-lender
• Rebecca of York, Isaac's daughter, a skilled doctor and kind helper
• Nathan, a rabbi and doctor
• King Richard ("the Black Knight")
• Prince John, Richard's brother
• Alias Locksley, also known as Robin Hood, an outlaw
• Reginald Front-de-Bœuf of Torquilstone, a Norman who owns an old Saxon fortress and is Cedric's neighbor
• Maurice de Bracy, a Free Companion (mercenary)
• Waldemar Fitzurse, Prince John's advisor; a fictional son of Reginald FitzUrse, who killed Archbishop Becket
• Hugh de Grantmesnil
• Ralph de Vipont, a Hospitaller
• Friar Tuck, from Copmanhurst
• Ulrica of Torquilstone, also known as Urfried
• Lucas de Beaumanoir, leader of the Templars
• Conrade Mountfitchet, Lucas's knight
• Higg, a peasant
• Kirjath Jairam of Leicester, a wealthy Jew
• Alan-a-Dale, a musician and storyteller

Chapter summary

Dedicatory Epistle: Laurence Templeton writes a letter to Rev. Dr. Dryasdust, explaining that he used materials from the Anglo-Norman Wardour Manuscript to create this story. He wants to write an English version of the previous Waverley novels, even though it is difficult because the story takes place long ago when civilization was less developed in the south.

Ch. 1: A historical summary. Gurth, a pig herder, and Wamba, a jester, talk about life under Norman rule.

Ch. 2: Wamba and Gurth intentionally lead a group of horsemen, including Prior Aymer and Brian de Bois-Guilbert, to the wrong place. Aymer and Bois-Guilbert discuss the beauty of Cedric’s ward Rowena and are later correctly directed by a palmer (Ivanhoe in disguise).

Ch. 3: Cedric anxiously waits for Gurth and the pigs. Aymer and Bois-Guilbert arrive.

Ch. 4: Bois-Guilbert admires Rowena as she enters for the evening feast.

Ch. 5: During the feast, Isaac enters and becomes friends with the palmer. Cedric laments the decline of the Saxon language. The palmer challenges Bois-Guilbert’s claim of Templar superiority by describing a tournament in Palestine where Ivanhoe defeated him. The palmer and Rowena agree to a rematch. Isaac is surprised by Bois-Guilbert’s denial of poverty.

Ch. 6: The next day, the palmer tells Rowena that Ivanhoe will return soon. He offers to protect Isaac from Bois-Guilbert, whom he overheard planning to capture Isaac. On the road to Sheffield, Isaac mentions a source of horses and armor that he believes the palmer needs.

Ch. 7: At a tournament in Ashby de la Zouch, Prince John mocks Athelstane and Isaac.

Ch. 8: After several Saxon losses, the "Disinherited Knight" (Ivanhoe) defeats Bois-Guilbert and other Norman challengers.

Ch. 9: The Disinherited Knight names Rowena Queen of the Tournament.

Ch. 10: The Disinherited Knight refuses to pay for Bois-Guilbert’s armor, saying their fight is not over. He tells his servant, Gurth in disguise, to give money to Isaac to repay him for helping with the horse and armor. Gurth does this, but Rebecca secretly returns the money.

Ch. 11: Gurth is attacked by outlaws but is spared after telling his story and defeating one of them in a fight with sticks.

Ch. 12: The Disinherited Knight’s group wins the tournament with help from a knight in black (Richard in disguise). Ivanhoe is revealed and faints from his injuries.

Ch. 13: Prince John encourages De Bracy to court Rowena and receives a warning from France that Richard has escaped. Locksley (Robin Hood) wins an archery contest.

Ch. 14: At the tournament banquet, Cedric continues to reject his son (who has associated with Normans) but drinks to Richard’s health instead of John’s, calling Richard the noblest of his race.

Ch. 1 (15): De Bracy (disguised as a forester) tells Fitzurse about his plan to capture Rowena and "rescue" her himself.

Ch. 2 (16): The Black Knight is welcomed by a hermit (Friar Tuck) at Copmanhurst.

Ch. 3 (17): The Black Knight and the hermit exchange songs.

Ch. 4 (18): (Retrospect: Before the banquet, Cedric learned Ivanhoe had been taken by unknown people. Gurth was recognized and captured by Cedric’s cupbearer, Oswald.) Cedric finds Athelstane uninterested in Rowena, who only cares about Ivanhoe.

Ch. 5 (19): Rowena convinces Cedric to escort Isaac and Rebecca, who were abandoned along with a sick man (Ivanhoe) by their hired protectors. Wamba helps Gurth escape again. De Bracy attacks, during which Wamba escapes. He meets Gurth, and they encounter Locksley, who advises against attacking because the captives are not in immediate danger.

Ch. 6 (20): Locksley sends two men to watch De Bracy. At Copmanhurst, he meets the Black Knight, who agrees to join the rescue.

Ch. 7 (21): De Bracy tells Bois-Guilbert he will abandon his "rescue" plan, mistrusting him. Bois-Guilbert says he is interested in Rebecca. At Torquilstone castle, Cedric laments its decline.

Ch. 8 (22): Under threat of torture, Isaac agrees to pay Front-de-Bœuf 1,000 pounds if Rebecca is released.

Ch. 9 (23): De Bracy uses Ivanhoe’s danger to pressure Rowena, but is moved by her sadness. The narrator refers to historical examples of baronial oppression in medieval England.

Ch. 10 (24): A witch named Urfried (Ulrica) warns Rebecca of her fate. Rebecca impresses Bois-Guilbert with her refusal to accept his advances.

Ch. 11 (25): Front-de-Bœuf refuses a written challenge from Gurth and Wamba. Wamba offers to spy on the castle by pretending to be a confessor.

Ch. 12 (26): Wamba enters the castle, exchanges clothes with Cedric, who meets Rebecca and Urfried.

Ch. 13 (27): Urfried recognizes Cedric as a Saxon and reveals herself as Ulrica. She tells her story, including Front-de-Bœuf killing his father, who had killed her father and seven brothers. She says she will signal when it is time to attack the castle. Front-de-Bœuf sends the presumed friar to get help. Athelstane claims Rowena is his fiancée. The monk Ambrose arrives seeking help for Aymer

Style

Some people who study literature believe the novel is a romance meant mostly to entertain young boys. The book has many parts common to the romance genre, such as a journey, a setting with knights and noble behavior, and a fight against unfair systems to create a better time. Other critics say the novel tells a realistic and lively story, without making the past or the main character seem better than they were.

Themes

Scott discusses themes found in his earlier novels, such as Rob Roy and The Heart of Midlothian, focusing on the struggle between noble ideas and the changes in society. In these books, the conflict centers on industrial society, where the "backward" Scots and the "advanced" English must work together to create unity after chaos. In Ivanhoe, the Normans, who represent a more developed culture, and the Saxons, who are poor and resentful of Norman rule, join forces to become one people. The conflict between the Saxons and Normans highlights the sacrifices both groups must make to achieve peace and build a united England. This includes letting go of extreme parts of their cultural values. For the Saxons, this means accepting that their cause is hopeless. The Normans must overcome materialism and violence in their own ideas of chivalry. Ivanhoe and Richard symbolize the possibility of peace and a shared future.

Ivanhoe, though from a noble family, is an average character in the medieval class system. He is not unusually skilled, unlike other fictional characters based on real people, such as Greek heroes. Critic György Lukács notes that characters like Ivanhoe, who are not extraordinary, are a key reason Scott’s historical novels differ from earlier works. These novels focus more on social and cultural history.

Allusions to real history and geography

The novel is set in southern Yorkshire, north-west Leicestershire, and northern Nottinghamshire in England. Castles mentioned in the story include Ashby de la Zouch Castle (now a ruin cared for by English Heritage), York (though Clifford’s Tower, which is also an English Heritage site, is not accurately described in the story because it was not called that name until later), and “Coningsburgh,” which is based on Conisbrough Castle in the town of Conisbrough near Doncaster (also an English Heritage site). In the novel, Aymer is the Prior of Jorvaulx, a historical name for Jervaulx Abbey in Yorkshire. The story mentions York Minster, where the wedding takes place, and the Bishop of Sheffield. However, the Diocese of Sheffield did not exist during the time of the novel or when Sir Walter Scott wrote it; it was founded in 1914. These details suggest that Robin Hood lived or traveled in this region.

Conisbrough is closely linked to the story of Ivanhoe, as many of its streets, schools, and public buildings are named after characters from the book.

Sir Walter Scott named his novel Ivanhoe after a village in Buckinghamshire called Ivinghoe. In his 1830 introduction, Scott explained that the name “Ivanhoe” came from an old rhyme. The name “Ivanhoe” was first recorded as an alternate name for Ivinghoe in 1665. Some older residents in Ivinghoe likely pronounced the name similarly to “Ivanhoe,” according to Professor Paul Kerswill of the University of York. It is likely Scott visited Ivinghoe and researched it before using it as the novel’s title, just as he did for other locations in the story.

Scott’s presence was recorded in Berkhamsted, a town eight miles from Ivinghoe. In the novel, he refers to “the rich fief of Ivanhoe,” and the Manor of Ivanhoe is listed among the largest 20% of settlements in the Domesday Book, a historical record of land in England.

The modern image of Robin Hood as a kind and patriotic rebel owes much to Ivanhoe. In the novel, Robin Hood is called “Locksley,” a name Scott borrowed from a 1600 manuscript that used it for Robin Hood. This name has been used ever since. (There is also a village called Loxley in Yorkshire.)

Scott made the conflict between Saxons and Normans in the 12th century a major theme in Ivanhoe. Earlier stories about Robin Hood did not mention this conflict, but Scott introduced it. In the novel, Prince John and King Richard I are called “Normans,” though historical records from that time did not use this term for them. Later retellings of Robin Hood’s story often include Scott’s focus on the Norman-Saxon conflict.

Scott avoided the idea that Robin Hood was a nobleman, as seen in some 16th-century stories. However, he still influenced the idea of Robin Hood as a noble hero, which appears in later films like The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991).

In many versions of Robin Hood’s story, both Ivanhoe and Robin are returning Crusaders who have quarreled with their fathers, take pride in being Saxons, support the rightful king (even if he is Norman-French), are skilled with weapons, and fall in love with a “fair maid” (Rowena or Marian). Scott popularized this time period, borrowing it from 16th-century writings or 17th-century ballads to make the story more exciting. Earlier medieval stories often placed Robin Hood in the reign of Edward I, II, or III, about two centuries later.

Robin Hood’s famous act of splitting an opponent’s arrow in an archery contest first appears in Ivanhoe.

The political events in the novel are mostly accurate, such as King Richard’s imprisonment in Austria after the Crusade and his return to England after paying a ransom. However, the story is fictionalized. Scott admitted in his “Dedicatory Epistle” that he took creative liberties with history. Readers should understand that Scott aimed to write an engaging novel set in the past, not a history book.

Some historians, like E. A. Freeman, criticized Scott for making the Saxon-Norman conflict in the late 12th century seem more intense than historical records support. Freeman noted that by the time of King Henry I, tensions between Saxons and Normans had decreased, and by the late 12th century, people of both backgrounds had merged culturally, identifying themselves as “English.”

Scott may have used the Saxon-Norman conflict in Ivanhoe to draw parallels between the Norman Conquest (1066) and the unification of Scotland and England in 1707, a time when Scottish nationalism was growing. Some experts believe Scott used the novel to express his own feelings about Scottish patriotism and union with England.

The novel introduced the name “Cedric,” which Scott misspelled by switching the letters of the original Saxon name “Cerdic.”

In 1194, it would have been incorrect for Rebecca, a Jewish woman, to be charged with witchcraft. Medieval witch trials usually targeted non-Christians for heresy, not witchcraft, and the punishment of burning was not common in England until the 15th century. The real Grand Master of the Templars during that time was Gilbert Horal, not Lucas de Beaumanoir. Other errors include descriptions of the Ashby tournament resembling the 14th century, coins Scott mentioned being rare, and William Rufus being incorrectly described as John Lackland’s grandfather.

Reception

Most of the original reviewers who read Ivanhoe were very positive or generally liked it. As usual, Sir Walter Scott's ability to describe scenes and show life from the past was often praised. Some reviewers said the book had a very poetic style. Many readers felt as if they were transported to the distant time of the story, although some problems were noted: mixing details from the high and late Middle Ages; dialogue that used a language that felt awkward; and too much focus on old things. The author's description of England was usually judged a success, with the forest outlaws and the idea of "merry England" receiving special praise. The character Rebecca was almost universally admired, especially in her farewell scene. The plot was either criticized for being weak or considered less important than the scenes and characters. The scenes at Torquilstone were called very disturbing by several critics, especially the part about Ulrica. Athelstane's return was not well received, with the kindest comment coming from Francis Jeffrey in The Edinburgh Review, who suggested (writing anonymously, as all reviewers did) that it was added "out of the very wantonness of merriment."

Letitia Elizabeth Landon, a fan of Scott, wrote a poem to illustrate a picture of The Tournament by Thomas Allom in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1838.

The Eglinton Tournament of 1839, held by the 13th Earl of Eglinton at Eglinton Castle in Ayrshire, was inspired by and based on Ivanhoe.

On 5 November 2019, BBC News included Ivanhoe on its list of the 100 most influential novels.

Sequels

• In 1850, author William Makepeace Thackeray wrote a funny follow-up to the book Ivanhoe called Rebecca and Rowena.
• In 1956, Edward Eager wrote a book called Knight's Castle, which takes four children into the story of Ivanhoe through magic.
• Simon Hawke used the story of Ivanhoe as the starting point for The Ivanhoe Gambit (1984), the first book in his time travel adventure series called TimeWars.
• Pierre Efratas wrote a sequel named Le Destin d'Ivanhoe (2003), published by Éditions Charles Corlet.
• Christopher Vogler wrote a sequel called Ravenskull (2006), published by Seven Seas Publishing.

References in other literature

• Jack and Jill by Louisa May Alcott (1880). When feeling unhappy about her life, Merry looked at a copy of Ivanhoe and thought of the character Rebecca. She said, "Doing chores like cleaning, cooking, and mending are not as bad as being troubled by love problems or being taken away and burned, so I will not wish for Rebecca’s jewels or exciting times, but I will try to be happy with my own life."

• The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers (1940). Harry Minowitz, a Jewish teenager, felt lonely when his high school class read Ivanhoe. He said, "When we studied the Jewish character in Ivanhoe, other students would look at me, and I would go home and cry."

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960). After Jem breaks Mrs. Dubose’s camellias, he is made to read Ivanhoe to her as a punishment.

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

The novel has inspired several motion pictures:

• Ivanhoe, United States 1911, directed by J. Stuart Blackton
• Ivanhoe, United States 1913, directed by Herbert Brenon; with King Baggot, Leah Baird, and Brenon. Filmed on location in England
• Ivanhoe, Wales 1913, directed by Leedham Bantock; filmed at Chepstow Castle
• Ye Olden Days, United States 1933, directed by Burt Gillett
• Ivanhoe, 1952, directed by Richard Thorpe; starring Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Fontaine, and George Sanders; nominated for three Oscars
• The Revenge of Ivanhoe (1965), starring Rik Van Nutter (an Italian peplum)
• Ivanhoe, the Norman Swordsman (1971), also known as La spada normanna, directed by Roberto Mauri (an Italian peplum)
• The Ballad of the Valiant Knight Ivanhoe (Баллада о доблестном рыцаре Айвенго), USSR 1983, directed by Sergey Tarasov; with songs by Vladimir Vysotsky; starring Peteris Gaudins as Ivanhoe

There have also been many television adaptations of the novel, including:

• 1958: A television series based on the character of Ivanhoe, starring Roger Moore as Ivanhoe
• 1970: A TV miniseries starring Eric Flynn as Ivanhoe
• 1975: Children's Animated Classics Ivanhoe
• 1982: Ivanhoe, a television movie starring Anthony Andrews as Ivanhoe
• 1986: Ivanhoe, a 1986 animated telemovie produced by Burbank Films in Australia
• 1995: Young Ivanhoe, a 1995 television movie directed by Ralph L. Thomas; starring Kristen Holden-Ried as Ivanhoe, Rachel Blanchard as Rowena, Stacy Keach as Pembrooke, Margot Kidder as Lady Margarite, Nick Mancuso as Bourget, and Matthew Daniels as Tuck
• 1995: "Sniffing the Gauntlet," an episode of the PBS show Wishbone that featured a retelling of Ivanhoe. A book tie-in was later published as Wishbone Classics #12: Ivanhoe, The Adventures of Wishbone #20: Ivanhound
• 1997: Ivanhoe the King's Knight, a televised cartoon series produced by CINAR and France Animation. General retelling of the classic tale
• 1997: Ivanhoe, a 6-part, 5-hour TV miniseries, a co-production of A&E and the BBC; starring Steven Waddington as Ivanhoe, Ciarán Hinds as Bois-Guilbert, Susan Lynch as Rebecca, Ralph Brown as Prince John, and Victoria Smurfit as Rowena
• 1999: The Legend of Ivanhoe, a Columbia TriStar International Television production dubbed into English; starring John Haverson as Ivanhoe and Rita Shaver as Rowena
• 2000–2002: Dark Knight, a New Zealand/British series; starring Ben Pullen as Ivanhoe and Charlotte Comer as Rebecca
• 2017: The Heroic Quest of the Valiant Prince Ivandoe, a Danish/British animated parody

Victor Sieg’s dramatic cantata Ivanhoé won the Prix de Rome in 1864 and premiered in Paris the same year. Ivanhoe was the grand opera by Arthur Sullivan and Julian Sturgis (Sturgis was recommended by Sullivan’s oft-time partner W. S. Gilbert). It debuted in 1891 and ran for 155 consecutive performances. Other operas based on the novel have been composed by Gioachino Rossini (Ivanhoé), Thomas Sari (Ivanhoé), Bartolomeo Pisani (Rebecca), A. Castagnier (Rébecca), Otto Nicolai (Il Templario), and Heinrich Marschner (Der Templer und die Jüdin). Rossini’s opera is a pasticcio (an opera in which the music for a new text is chosen from pre-existent music by one or more composers). Scott attended a performance of it and recorded in his journal, "It was an opera, and, of course, the story sadly mangled and the dialogue, in part nonsense."

Legacy

The railway that runs through Ashby-de-la-Zouch was called the Ivanhoe line from 1993 to 2005. This name was chosen because the book Ivanhoe is set in the same area.

Part of the Silver Lake neighborhood in Los Angeles was created in 1887 as a land development area named Ivanhoe. Realtors John C. Byram and Robert W. Poindexter were responsible for this development. It is not true that the name was given earlier by a Scottish settler named Hugo Reid, as he never lived in this part of Los Angeles County. Today, the upper reservoir and an elementary school in the area still use the name Ivanhoe. Many streets in the neighborhood are named after characters and places from the works of Sir Walter Scott, including Locksley, Rowena, Kenilworth, Waverly [sic], Avenel, and St. George.

The town of Ivanhoe, North Carolina, is named after the book Ivanhoe.