By Sheila Orysiek
SAN DIEGO — How did it come about that a high born Christian knight, newly returned from a Crusade to the Holy Land, voluntarily engaged in mortal combat to defend the life and honor of a Jewish woman he barely knew and did not love?
Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe is a classic example of 19th century Romantic Era literature. Filled with action – jousting knights, besieged castles, a cameo appearance by Robin of Locksley (Robin Hood), ambushes, kidnappings, hostages and tormented captives, the tale opens a window to an England which had been physically conquered by the Normans but was still culturally Saxon.
The story is placed during the time of Prince John who is keeping the throne warm (and warmer) for his crusading brother, Richard, he of the Lion Heart, who is being held abroad for ransom.
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From the Jewish Library
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In the midst of this chaos, a small Jewish community lived a precarious existence in England, constantly under threat, until approximately a hundred years later in 1290 they were expelled from the island kingdom (well before the Spanish Expulsion in 1492). Only a very small group was allowed to secretly remain in London because England needed their commercial expertise and contacts.
Rebecca, the beautiful daughter of Isaac of York, is educated, wealthy, a famed healer and Jewish. She is taken captive by a Knight Templar (a religious order of knights) who offers her his heart and protection – though not his name and hand. Helpless to defend herself with a lance, she has no difficulty fending off his intentions with some of the most stirring and passionate dialogue in the English language – a pure pleasure to read.
Accused of witchcraft (how else did a Knight Templar fall in love with her?) Rebecca is condemned to death by fire. She responds by throwing down her gauntlet – a small silken glove – and claims her right to “trial by combat.” Only a knight willing to risk mortal combat can save her. By a deft twist of fate the very Knight Templar who fell in love with her and caused all this commotion, is chosen by his own brotherhood of knights, as her antagonist. Since he is the best of their fighting knights, it seems his victory and thus her death by fire is assured.
And, then, at the last moment, appears Wilfred of Ivanhoe, still recovering from injury, newly returned from Crusading, not at all in love with Rebecca, but willing to engage in mortal combat to save her life.
Though very young when I first read this book, the prose penetrated and influenced my response to the English language. Recently, I re-read it and enjoyed it even more. If you, too, read Ivanhoe long ago – consider revisiting the clash of lances at the lists of Ashby. Hear, once again, Rebecca spurn the attentions of Knight Templar Sir Brian de Bois-Gilbert using her only weapon – her passionate declaration of her willingness to die for her faith and honor; her eloquence stronger than any material weapon. Such elegant use of language is sadly rare in the literature of today. I miss it.
As one of Scott’s most captivating characters – serf Womba the Witless – wisely said: “Pax Vobiscum.” He claimed it carried him safely through all of life’s travails. The book was first published in 1820 and has never been out of print.
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Orysiek is a freelance writer who focuses on coverage of literature and the arts. She may be contacted via sheila.orysiek@sdjewishworld.com