Conquest and Displacement

All characters in this novel are affected by the themes of conquest and displacement. The Normans conquer the Saxons and steal Saxon lands. The Saxons are subjected to oppression at the hands of their Norman rulers. The Saxons' language is even displaced by the Normans' language. With King Richard fighting the Crusades in the Holy Land, Prince John usurps the throne and rules cruelly, stealing money, land and power from the English subjects. Prince John even allows his knights to breaks their vows of chastity and poverty by living licentious and luxurious lives. Prince John displaces his brother by stealing his crown. King Richard is displaced because he is imprisoned in Europe after the Crusades.

Ivanhoe is displaced by his disinheritance due to his love for Lady Rowena and loyalty to King Richard. Robin of Locksley loses his earldom and lands as a result of the...