Ivanhoe (1819) by Sir Walter Scott is the quintessential novel of romantic medieval chivalry, beloved by generations of readers. Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe, disinherited by his father, returns home to England from the Crusades, and lively adventure ensues -- a jousting tournament, villainous Norman knights and passionate Templars, proud Saxon prisoners including Ivanhoe's own father and the lovely Lady Rowena, a castle siege, Robin Hood and his merry men, carousing friars, a clever and loyal jester and swineherd, a mysterious Black Knight who is more than he seems, the conniving Prince John, the return of King Richard the Lionheart, a trial and triumph of justice, an old noble Jew and his beautiful and courageous daughter Rebecca. And yet, among the vibrant pageantry and chivalry is a story of dark prejudice, religious conflict, sacrifice, and love that uplifts the novel to a more sophisticated level, and the fate of the unforgettable Rebecca takes center stage. Annotation In 1166 the Saxon knight Ivanhoe returns from the Crusades to a chaotic England ruled by the enemies of the absent King Richard the Lion-Hearted and finds himself disowned and dishonored, forced to fight for his name and the people he loves. About The Author: SIMON PREBBLES, a British-born performer of considerable talent and experience, has built a successful career that spans the Atlantic. As a stage and television actor he has played in everything from soaps to Shakespeare, but it is as a veteran narrator of some 275 audio book titles that he has made his mark since coming to the U.S. in 1990. "Audiofile" magazine has named him a 'Golden Voices' and in 2004 he was named "Narrator of the Year" by " Publishers Weekly. He lives with his wife in New York.