# Lady Rowena — Ivanhoe character guide

> Lady Rowena in Ivanhoe by Walter Scott.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Rowena, the Lady Rowena

**First appearance:** 0005-ii

## Snapshot

A Saxon heiress whose beauty and fortune make her a political prize, she discovers that her sheltered willfulness cannot protect her or those she loves from Norman predators.

## Who they are

Lady Rowena is Cedric's ward, a woman of noble Saxon blood whose wealth and lineage make her desirable to Normans seeking to legitimize their power through marriage. Accustomed to deference and untested by real danger, she finds her courage and self-command stripped away when De Bracy threatens Ivanhoe's life to force her consent. Her love for Ivanhoe and her loyalty to Cedric collide with the brutal realities of a conquered land, exposing the limits of her privileged upbringing.

## In the story

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

Discussed as Cedric's ward, noted for her beauty and high lineage, and the subject of the Prior and Templar's wager.

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

Rowena is expected to join the banquet later, as she wishes to hear news from Palestine, though Cedric initially suggests she might not attend.

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

Enters the hall with dignity, declines the Templar's compliment, and asks for news from Palestine.

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

Speaks in defense of Ivanhoe, offering her name and fame as pledge.

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

Questions the Palmer about Ivanhoe's fate and health; expresses concern for his return and the upcoming tournament.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/ix)

Watches the tournament with intense interest, and is the lady before whom the Disinherited Knight pauses, hinting at his choice.

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

Queen of Love and Beauty; faints upon recognizing Ivanhoe but composes herself to award the chaplet.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xiii)

Mourns Ivanhoe with dignity; Prince John plans to marry her to De Bracy.

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

The target of De Bracy's abduction plot, described as a wealthy Saxon heiress.

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

Resists Cedric's matchmaking, openly preferring Ivanhoe and despising Athelstane.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xix)

Captured; shows compassion by agreeing to let Isaac and Rebecca join the party.

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

Captured and separated from Cedric and Athelstane, she is conducted to a distant apartment.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xxiii)

Rowena is imprisoned in a decayed apartment, initially defiant but ultimately overwhelmed by fear for Ivanhoe and Cedric, breaking down in tears.

### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ivanhoe_se/chapters/xxix)

Mentioned as Ivanhoe's ladylove, whose safety he worries about.

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

Mentioned as desiring to return to Rotherwood, escorted by Cedric's force.

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

Rowena is present at the funeral preparations and escapes the awkward situation with Athelstane.

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

Expresses repugnance to marrying Athelstane, contributing to Cedric's abandonment of the Saxon union plan.

## Links

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