The return of King Richard the Lionheart to a fractured England sets the stage for a high-stakes struggle between Saxon heritage and Norman dominance. Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a disinherited knight, seeks to reclaim his birthright and honor while navigating a landscape defined by political instability and religious tension. He faces opposition from powerful Norman lords and the internal conflict of his own divided loyalties. The narrative employs a third-person omniscient perspective to capture the sweeping scale of medieval conflict, balancing personal honor with the broader fate of the English crown.

Readers and critics frequently discuss the work as a foundational text in the development of the historical novel genre. Discussion often centers on Scott's ability to blend authentic historical atmosphere with dramatic, fictionalized conflict. Many highlight the effectiveness of the tournament scenes and the siege sequences in maintaining narrative momentum throughout the text. While some modern readers find the prose density challenging, the book remains a primary reference point for understanding how 19th-century authors constructed national myths. The balance between character-driven romance and the broader political stakes continues to generate analysis regarding the author's portrayal of medieval social hierarchies.