# King Richard the Lionheart — Ivanhoe character guide

> King Richard the Lionheart in Ivanhoe by Walter Scott.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Richard, Coeur-de-Lion, Richard Plantagenet, the Black Knight

**First appearance:** 0010-vii

## Snapshot

The absent king returned in disguise, laughing and quaffing among outlaws while his kingdom's fate hangs on whether he can reclaim it in time.

## Who they are

Richard Plantagenet moves through his own realm as the Black Knight, testing the loyalty of men who have never seen his face and jesting with Robin Hood's band as if the crown were a trifle. Ivanhoe watches his sovereign's careless good humor with dread, knowing that the lion's whelp uses fangs as readily as claws. His return transforms the novel's scattered skirmishes into a contest for England itself, and his presence makes every banquet a potential battlefield.

## In the story

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/v)

Named by the Palmer as the first knight in the tournament at Acre.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xv)

Discussed as a feared potential return, but Fitzurse argues he would come alone and powerless.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xvi)

The Black Knight, revealed to be King Richard, travels incognito and seeks shelter at the hermitage.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xvii)

The knight guest at the hermitage, revealed through his skill in song and his crusader ballad.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xx)

Disguised as the Black Knight, he agrees to aid in the rescue of Cedric and his party.

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xxv)

The Black Knight reads and explains the letter to the allies, and suggests sending a confessor into the castle.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xxxi)

The Black Knight, he leads the attack, defeats De Bracy, and rescues Ivanhoe.

### [XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xxxii)

Present as the Black Knight of the Fetterlock, observing the outlaws' governance and receiving a horn from Locksley.

### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Present as the Black Knight, observes the proceedings and exchanges farewells with Locksley.

### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xxxix)

Richard is referenced as being in a foreign prison and as a former adversary of Bois-Guilbert in Palestine.

### [XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xl)

The Black Knight; reveals his identity as Richard of England after defeating Waldemar Fitzurse and pardons the outlaws.

### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xli)

Reveals himself to Ivanhoe, explains his need for concealment, and enjoys the company of Robin Hood's outlaws. He is depicted as a chivalric adventurer who values personal glory over statecraft.

### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xlii)

Richard reveals his identity to Cedric and advocates for Norman-Saxon unity.

### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xliv)

Arrives at the lists, arrests Malvoisin, confronts the Grand Master, and pardons Prince John while allowing the Templars to depart.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced indirectly through the discussion of the Norman Conquest and Forest Laws.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/characters/king_richard
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/characters