Ivanhoe

Scene I

(The story begins four generations after the Norman Conquest of England. Tensions between
the two people who inhabit England, the Saxons and the Normans, are at a peak. They refuse
to speak each other's languages and squabble constantly. After the war Brave Warrior
Wilfred of Ivanhoe and King converse with one another .)

Richard: Sir Ivanhoe, now that we have taken the city of our clay. I would reward you for
your loyalty and courage. You have but to ask and take what you will.

Ivanhoe: Your Majesty I have but one desire, and it is not for treasure. My heart wishes to
return home to Rother wood and to earn my father’s forgiveness for the dishonour that I
brought to his name.

Richard: Dishonour?? Sir Ivanhoe, how came such a thing from so brave a knight?

Ivanhoe: Sire, My father, Cedric of Rother wood has in his care the lady Rowena who is his
ward. He wished her to marry the noble lord Antholton to join strong the Saxon lines. This
would strengthen the Saxon cause and lead us towards independence from Norman Rule.

Richard: Ahhh.. This is folly. You talk of an old wound Ivanhoe, one which should have
healed long since.

Ivanhoe: Sire, when I had thought on it, I said as much to him myself. It was then Rowena
and I declared our love for each other. My father became furious and said I betrayed both him
and my Saxon blood. I was banished from my father’s house.

Richard: This is injustice. Go to your own place, Brave Ivanhoe! Go with my blessings. You
will get everything you wish.

Ivanhoe: (Bows down) As you said, My Royal Highness.. Now, let me take leave of you.

Scene 2

(Scene 2: Ivanhoe goes to Rother wood, his native place, to his father Cedric’s house in the
disguise of a Pilgrim)

Cedric: Come Rowena my dear. Why are you sad and melancholic?

Rowena: My lord Cedric! The one person who could cheer my heart is far and far away.
Cedric: Ahhh.. I will not be drawn in this matter again my lady. You will do well to forget.

(Everyone hears a sound of a horn)

Cedric: Who is that on such a night?

Rowena: Wait! Let me check it for you.

(Rowena goes near the door, which is here the left entrance to off stage)

Rowena: They are travellers. Three travellers seeking shelter for this foul night. One is a
pilgrim and rest are Norman Knights.

Cedric: Normans? Blood of my ancestors! Why should they seek shelter here? (thinking) Let
them in. Saxons or Normans, hospitality is our duty.

(Three travellers come in)

Cedric: Welcome Travellers. I bid you welcome to Rother wood. I present you to my ward,
the lady Rowena.

de Barcy : I have met you before, Lady Rowena. You have grown in beauty. We meet in a
fare. I have thought of you much since then.

Cedric: I would ask you to guard your tongue sire. How came you to Rother wood?

Templar: The storm struck us when we rode sir. And we mislaid our paths. We chanced
upon the pilgrim and he guided us to this shelter. (nobody notices the pilgrim).

Cedric: Ay Sire. Come with me and I will show you where you have to stay tonight.

Scene 3

(The next day morning the two knights go to see King Richard’s wicked Brother, Prince
John)

(Anouncement: His royal highness, Prince John. )

John: Welcome Knights! It is unbelievable that my brother, King Richard has been captured
on the way to here. I wish let him be there forever so that I can rule the country.

Templar: Yes Sir. It is unbelievable that he has been captured. Because of his absence the
country has become a place of Jews and Pagans.

John: I see, Issac the merchant has brought his daughter. She is beautiful.
Templar: it is my right to declare her queen of love and beauty, when I am this day’s
champion.

de Barcy : Not so, will be the Rowena, Cerdric the Saxon’s lovely ward. I shall name her
when I hold the champion’s right.

John: But noble nights, I think, there can be only one champion there. I shall watch with
interest to see which of you it may be. Here comes Cedric with his ward. (Cedric and Rowena
come) Let’s commence the fight. (bell rings)

(The tournament begins. The normal champions Brain de Bois- gilbert and Sir Reginald\
challenges all comers to single combat. [horn] )(red knight wins everyone)

Cedric: my last hope has gone. A Norman is winning! (horn)

(Ivanhoe comes with grand music and armour )

(Ivanhoe hears of his father's plans, and disguises himself as the Disinherited Knight in order
to win the hand of Rowena in the great jousting tournament at Ashby-de-la-Zouche.)

(sword fight-Barcy maintains upper hand-sudddenly Ivanhoe raises-but real Templar comes-
and both attacks Ivanhoe. black knight enters and saves him)

John: so we have two champions. Who is the black knight?

Cedric: I don’t know sir but the disinherited knight is the champion.

John: I now declare the disinherited knight the champion of the day. So disinherited knight,
its now your right and privilege to name the queen of love and beauty.

(he places the crown on Rowena- voices: long live Rowena, the queen of love and beauty,
long live the Saxon princess – royal music- Ivanhoe falls down)

Rebecca: I must help this noble youth. My lord Cedric please allow me to help him. I am the
only daughter of Isaac of York. I am skilled in the Arts of healing. I can save your son.

Cedric: Take him to the bed for the treatment!

(Ivanhoe is treated by Rebecca)

Rebecca: My lord your son revives.

Ivanhoe: Father! Rowena! I must explain.

Cedric: no my son. The faithful gaith told me everything. I am a foolish old man. Blinded by
stubbornness. I seek your forgiveness my son.

Ivanhoe: and I yours…

Rebecca: you have lost much blood. And you are also stressed with travel.

Cedric: lets go to rather wood my son. Soon you would be safe.

(Scene ends).

(the scene opens in King’s palace where Prince John conspires with Templar and Barcy)

John: (with anger) You call yourself Normans? We lost all this day. Thanks to you. These
Saxons must be taught a lesson.

Templar: When I meet this knight again, he will taste my sword.

John: Fine Words, but words are not enough Guilbert.

Barcy: Sir I have a plan. The Saxon lord, Cedric has taken the wounded knight under his
care. They and the merchant Issac leave for Rother Wood. Now, it is my idea that we could
confront him.

John: Mmmm… Do as you said. My me proud by vanquishing him.

Scene 4

(Ivanhoe and Team are attacked by Norman knights, Geith escapes with Ivanhoe and others
are taken to a temple. Rebecca and Issac are also taken to the temple. Rowena is brought
with hands tied.)

Rowena: (Shouts) Oh! Wicked Barcy leave my.. I command you.. Let me go.. Please let me
go… What Villany is this?

Templar: No villainy my lady. No more than a taking what is ours by right.

Barcy: All England belongs to Normandy lady. And all that is in it also.

Rebecca: Where is my father??

Templar: He is safe enough. He and the Saxon Cedric are resting below. In the dungeon.

Rowena: Oh! for what purpose? For ransom? Is that for you hold as here?
Barcy: Ransom of a kind is, my friend, here, has a covetous eye for the pretty Rebecca and
her father’s Purse. And I, well! my Saxon beauty, I have long wanted to own you. And rather
wood and its lands of course.

Rowena: this is madness tonight. Never, never. You should not do like that.

Barcy: you will have this night only to give favourable consideration for our proposal.
Otherwise your men may have to enjoy the pleasure of torture chamber. Think well before
you give your answer. (Barcy and Rowena go off stage, girls remain there chained. )

Scene 5

(The night ends… next MORNING .. Barcy comes with Cedric hand tied)

Barcy: Now my lady Rowena, surely you will reconsider your answer.

Cedric: You foul thieves!. Say nothing Rowena. (Suddenly a sound is heard by everyone and
Richard (enters with troop)

Ivanhoe: Prepare to fight from the buff. (fighting scene)

Barcy: Now, for you my beauty. You have cast me a devil.

Rowena: Nooo! Let me go!

Ivanhoe: Release her, Dog. Stand and fight from the birth. (fight ends .Guilbert dies of his
English wins).

(the fight ends as Black Knight and Ivanhoe defeat the wicked villains. )

Cedric: Sir, you know I will come to your call. I and all my Saxons will come.

Richard: Speak not of Saxon nor Norman, Cedric. Its time we are one. Speak of English
men. But first, you have other matters to attend.

Cedric: Ay Sir, a winning torrents. Will u not come sire?

Ivanhoe: (bows down) it would be our pleasure and honour sire.

Richard: And mine too.. but there is a greater need. Brave Ivanhoe!. Yet I make you a
marriage gift, for you, and lady Rowena, the rogue would spend his days in dungeon and his
lands next to your father’s land at Ratherwood shall be yours.

Ivanhoe: I thank you Sire. We thank you. (bows down).