Editing Ivanhoe (section)

===Opening===
[[File:J. Cooper, Sr. - Sir Walter Scott - Le Noir Faineant in the Hermit's Cell - Ivanhoe.jpg|thumb|''Le Noir Faineant in the Hermit's Cell'' by J. Cooper, Sr. From an 1886 edition of Walter Scott's works]]
Protagonist Wilfred of Ivanhoe is disinherited by his father Cedric of Rotherwood for supporting the Norman King Richard and for falling in love with the Lady Rowena, a ward of Cedric and descendant of the Saxon Kings of England. Cedric planned to have Rowena marry the powerful Lord Athelstane, a [[pretender]] to the Crown of England by his descent from the last Saxon King, [[Harold Godwinson]]. Ivanhoe accompanies King Richard on the [[Third Crusade]], where he is said to have played a notable role in the [[Siege of Acre (1189–1191)|Siege of Acre]].

The book opens with a scene of Norman knights and [[prelate]]s seeking the hospitality of Cedric. They are guided there by a [[pilgrim]], known at that time as a [[Palmer (pilgrim)|palmer]]. That same night, Isaac of [[York]], a Jewish moneylender, seeks refuge at Rotherwood on his way to the tournament at Ashby. Following the night's meal, the palmer observes one of the Normans, the [[Templar]] Brian de Bois-Guilbert, issue orders to his [[Saracen]] soldiers to capture Isaac.

The palmer then assists in Isaac's escape from Rotherwood, with the additional aid of the [[swineherd]] Gurth.

Isaac of York offers to repay his debt to the palmer with a suit of armour and a [[destrier|war horse]] to participate in the [[tournament]] at [[Ashby-de-la-Zouch]] Castle, on his inference that the palmer was secretly a knight. The palmer is taken by surprise, but accepts the offer.