Ivanhoe · Character

Rebecca

A gifted Jewish healer whose skill with wounds and secret balsams exceeds her father's caution, she commands reverence from her own people and dangerous attention from powerful Christians.

major

Also known as Jewess, the lovely Jewess, fair Rebecca, the unfortunate Rebecca

First appearance: ii

As a major figure in Ivanhoe, Rebecca is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Introduced as the beautiful and virtuous daughter of Isaac, whose faith and courage are highlighted.

In the storyIvanhoeOpen this moment free

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Rebecca is the daughter of Isaac of York, a wealthy Jewish merchant navigating a hostile Christian England where her learning and beauty make her both prized and vulnerable. Her father grants her unusual liberty because he trusts her judgment, and she uses it to save the wounded Ivanhoe, arguing that his connection to King Richard may shield them both. Her intelligence, medical knowledge, and moral courage place her at the center of the novel's conflicts between love, faith, and persecution.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Rebecca sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Rebecca in ii

Character Web

40 connections

A slice of how Rebecca sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Psychological
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Central characters and antagonists

+35 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this passage, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when Rebecca defies her father’s religious scrupl…

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Relationships

Brian de Bois-Guilbert
psychological · negative
Bois-Guilbert is obsessively infatuated with Rebecca, torn between lust and his Templar… How this plays out →
Lucas de Beaumanoir
rivalry · negative
Brian de Bois-Guilbert
psychological · negative
Bois-Guilbert is obsessively infatuated with Rebecca, torn between lust and his Templar… How this plays out →
Lucas de Beaumanoir
rivalry · negative
Brian de Bois-Guilbert
psychological · negative
Bois-Guilbert is obsessively infatuated with Rebecca, torn between lust and his Templar… How this plays out →
Lucas de Beaumanoir
rivalry · negative

Brian de Bois-Guilbert
Bois-Guilbert is obsessively infatuated with Rebecca, torn between lust and his Templar vows, making her his victim.
Lucas de Beaumanoir
Beaumanoir, as Grand Master of the Templars, condemns Rebecca as a sorceress and seeks her execution.
Brian de Bois-Guilbert
Bois-Guilbert is obsessively infatuated with Rebecca, torn between lust and his Templar vows, making her his victim.
Lucas de Beaumanoir
Beaumanoir, as Grand Master of the Templars, condemns Rebecca as a sorceress and seeks her execution.
Brian de Bois-Guilbert
Bois-Guilbert is obsessively infatuated with Rebecca, torn between lust and his Templar vows, making her his victim.
Lucas de Beaumanoir
Beaumanoir, as Grand Master of the Templars, condemns Rebecca as a sorceress and seeks her execution.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Rebecca in ii

In the story

Rebecca appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Ivanhoe
Introduced as the beautiful and virtuous daughter of Isaac, whose faith and courage are highlighted.
VII
Present with Isaac; targeted by Prince John's insulting command to sit among the Saxons.
IX
Observes the tournament with her father Isaac, showing calmness and understanding of the knight's risks.
The Disinherited Knight's Generosity and Isaac's Lament
Comforts her father, pointing out the power of Jewish wealth, and veils herself before Gurth enters.
XIX
Pleads with Rowena for protection; travels in the rear and is captured.
Chapter XXI
Mentioned by De Bracy as his intended prize, she is a captive in the castle.
XXII
Isaac's daughter, given to Brian de Bois-Guilbert as a handmaiden, causing Isaac's desperate pleas.
Chapter XXIV
Defends her faith and honor with sharp wit and courage; threatens suicide from the parapet rather than submit to Bois-Guilbert's demands.
Chapter XXVII
Rebecca is briefly mentioned as being driven back to her apartment by Urfried, and is excluded from ransom negotiations by the Templar.
XXVIII
Prevails upon Isaac to bring Ivanhoe to their home; personally tends to Ivanhoe's wounds and promises to heal him within eight days.
XXIX
Tends to Ivanhoe, struggles with her unrequited love, questions chivalry, and describes the Black Knight's actions.
XXXI
Tends to Ivanhoe, refuses to flee alone, and is seized by the Templar.
Chapter XXXIII
Mentioned as Isaac's daughter, captured by Norman knights, and the reason for Isaac's journey to Templestowe.
Chapter XXXV
Imprisoned with Brian de Bois-Guilbert; accused of sorcery by Beaumanoir due to her healing arts learned from Miriam.
Chapter XXXVI
Accused of sorcery by the Grand Master; brought before the tribunal; receives a secret note of support.
The Trial of Rebecca
The accused Jewish damsel, who eloquently defends herself and demands trial by combat.
Chapter XXXVIII
On trial for sorcery, demands trial by combat, sends message to her father Isaac.
Chapter XXXIX
Rebecca steadfastly refuses Bois-Guilbert's offer, declaring her courage and faith in God, and forgives him as his victim.
XLIII
Accused of sorcery, she awaits trial by combat; refuses Bois-Guilbert's temptation to flee; accepts Ivanhoe as her champion.
Chapter XLIV
Freed by Ivanhoe's victory, she is embraced by her father Isaac but insists on leaving immediately without speaking to Ivanhoe.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Rebecca unlock in the free preview.

See Rebecca in ii

See Rebecca in Ivanhoe