Rebecca of Ivanhoe: Wise woman, healer, witch?

In Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe, Rebecca is portrayed as an almost magical healer who has special ointments that can rid the body of infection and cure all kinds of ailments. When Ivanhoe, just back from the Crusades and disguised as a Spanish knight, is badly...

How historical reality shaped Rebecca of Ivanhoe

Near the end of his classic tale, Ivanhoe, Sir Walter Scott mentions that Rebecca, the healer rescued by Ivanhoe, and her father are fleeing to Spain. Even though Ivanhoe saved Rebecca from being burned alive as a witch, she no longer feels safe in England. So she and...