Walter Scott’s novel "Aivengo" is considered one of the first historical novels in the world. It was published in 1819 and immediately became a classic of adventure literature, reviving the public interest in the romantic Middle Ages. The novel is based on the enmity of the Saxons, the former owners of British land, and the Norman conquerors.
As befits a good adventure novel, “Aivengo” has an energetic plot and unambiguous characters. Scott's all the negative characters are Normans, all the positives are Saxons.
The plot of the novel: return from war
The protagonist of the novel is the brave knight Wilfred Aivengo, the only son of Sir Cedric Rotterwood. Cedric longs to clear the conquerors of his native land. He supports the last descendant of the Saxon king Alfred and plans to marry him to his pupil Lady Rowena. But Rowena and Ivanhoe love each other, and the father expels his son from home as an obstacle to his plans. Ivanhoe goes with King Richard the Lionheart on the Third Crusade.
At the beginning of the novel, the young warrior returns to his homeland after a severe wound and is forced to hide his name. King Richard languishes in captivity, and England is ruled by Prince John, who supports the Norman nobility and oppresses the common people.
Developments: Ashby Tournament
The grand tournament in Ashby brings to the stage all the characters. In shooting competitions, Yeomen Loxley wins. The dishonest knight-tempter Brian de Boisguillebert and Baron Fron de Bef, who seized the estate of Aivengo, cause everyone to fight with them.
Their challenge is taken by the mysterious Knight Deprived of Inheritance, who at the last moment is helped by the no less mysterious Black Knight. Declared the winner of the tournament, the Knight Deprived of Heritage proclaims Lady Rowena the queen of love and beauty. Taking the reward from her hands, the knight takes off his helmet and turns out to be her lover Ivanhoe. He falls without feelings from a wound received in battle.
Climax: siege of the castle of Fron de Bef
After the tournament, the defeated knights attack Sir Cedric on the way home. Cedric and the wounded Ivanhoe are kept in the castle of Fron de Beuf for ransom and revenge, meanwhile the baron is trying to achieve the love of the beautiful Rowena.
But the servants of Cedric, who escaped captivity, save the noble heroes. They find the Black Knight who helped Ivanhoe in the tournament, and the shooter Loxley with a group of Yeomen. The assembled team storms the castle and frees the captives, the well-deserved punishment overtakes the villains.
