Wilfred of Ivanhoe, often known simply as “Ivanhoe” from the name of the property Richard has given him, is the son of Cedric the Saxon. Like his father, he is strong and determined, and also like his father, he can be stubborn. Before the novel’s opening, he quarreled with his father, who disinherited him. Though a Saxon by birth and upbringing, Wilfred is highly devoted to the Norman king of England, Richard I. He follows Richard to Palestine to fight in the Crusades and distinguishes himself there as a courageous knight.

Wilfred’s love interest is the Lady Rowena, the ward of his father Cedric. The budding romance between Wilfred and Rowena contributes to the bad blood between father and son, as Cedric hopes to marry Rowena to Athelstane. After he is banished by his father, however, Ivanhoe remains constant in his love for Rowena. It is true that Ivanhoe often seems to be tempted by the beautiful Rebecca, but as a Jewish woman, Rebecca never poses a real threat to Rowena in Ivanhoe’s heart.

Wilfred is presented as the ideal of a brave knight and has numerous rivals. At the tournament at Ashby, he beats all of John’s Norman challengers, including Bois-Guilbert.