Lucas de Beaumanoir Character Analysis in Ivanhoe

Lucas de Beaumanoir is the Grand Master of the Templar Order to which Albert de Malvoisin and Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert belong. Though he is an old man, the hardness brought to his features by years of asceticism and warmongering cannot hide his inherent nobility and authority. Unlike most others in his Order, he scrupulously follows its commandments both as a knight and a monk; the sinfulness, greed, and pride of men like Albert and Sir Brian shocks and horrifies him. Zealous in his hatred and persecution of groups whom medieval Christianity branded as enemies—Jewish people and Muslim people—he initiates and presides over Rebecca’s witchcraft trial. Yet, he is a man of principles: when she demands judicial combat, he allows it, and when during that fight God seems to strike Sir Brian, he accepts the result as proof of her innocence and frees her.

Lucas de Beaumanoir Quotes in Ivanhoe

The Ivanhoe quotes below are all either spoken by Lucas de Beaumanoir or refer to Lucas de Beaumanoir. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

It was a scene of bustle and life, as if the whole vicinage had poured forth its inhabitants to a village wake, or rural feast. But the evident desire to look on blood and death, is not peculiar to these dark ages; though in the gladiatorial exercise of single combat and general tourney, they were habituated to the blood spectacle of brave men falling by each other’s hands. Even in our own days, when morals are better understood, an execution, a bruising match between two professors, a riot, or a meeting of radical reformers, collects at considerable hazard to themselves an immense crowd of spectators, otherwise little interested, excepting to see how matters are to be conducted, and whether the heroes of the day are, in the heroic language of insurgent tailors, flints or dunghills.

Related Characters: Lawrence Templeton (speaker), Rebecca, Lucas de Beaumanoir, King Richard (the Black Knight)

Page Number and Citation: 382

Explanation and Analysis:

Lucas de Beaumanoir Character Timeline in Ivanhoe

The timeline below shows where the character Lucas de Beaumanoir appears in Ivanhoe. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...nervous exhaustion and shares more bad news. The head of the Templar Order, Lucas de Beaumanoir, is at the preceptory. In contrast to the worldly, ambitious, and avaricious knights of the... (full context)

...Samuel suggests that Isaac try to appeal to Sir Brian privately; despising the Jewish people, Beaumanoir can hardly be expected to take pity on Isaac’s or Rebecca’s plight. With gratitude, Isaac... (full context)

...of scorn and his wealth a target of extortion to those within. Meanwhile, Lucas de Beaumanoir paces a private courtyard with his friend and advisor, Mountfitchet. Age and the hard life... (full context)

Grand Master Beaumanoir expresses his heartsick disgust over the state of the English Templars and their excessive vanity,... (full context)

A squire enters the courtyard; his humble attitude and clothing impress Beaumanoir. The squire announces that a Jewish man named Isaac has arrived at the gate asking... (full context)

The Vulnerability and Power of Women Theme Icon

Declaring his aversion for Jewish people, Beaumanoir warns Isaac not to say a word except in answer to his questions. He demands... (full context)

Then Beaumanoir, seizing on Aymer’s description of Rebecca as a “second Witch of Endor,” demands to know... (full context)

...just as corrupt and worldly as Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, except he hides it better. Beaumanoir summons Albert and demands to know why he allowed Sir Brian to bring a woman—and... (full context)

Somewhat comforted by Albert’s claim that Sir Brian hasn’t yet acted on his lust, Beaumanoir considers that Sir Brian may deserve more pity than blame for being led astray by... (full context)

Albert goes to warn Sir Brian about Beaumanoir’s plan; he finds Sir Brian fuming over Rebecca’s latest rejection. Sir Brian curses what he... (full context)

...find fitting grounds to condemn Rebecca as a witch. Only this, he insists, will assuage Beaumanoir’s anger and allow the Templar Order to move on from the scandal with its power... (full context)

The Templar knights sit arranged by rank in the improvised courtroom, joined by curious locals. Beaumanoir remarks to Mountfitchet about the downcast and ashamed aspect of Sir Brian, who stands in... (full context)

...he receives his own penance for allowing an unbelieving woman within the preceptory walls. Then Beaumanoir turns his attention towards Rebecca’s conduct, calling first on Sir Brian’s testimony. Sir Brian asserts... (full context)

Beaumanoir finally asks Rebecca to testify, threatening to forcibly remove her veil so that the court... (full context)

Beaumanoir demands that Rebecca answer the charges against her. In a calm voice, she asserts the... (full context)

Rebecca’s profound dignity moves even the cold-hearted Beaumanoir. But he will only offer pity and forgiveness if she “confess [her] witchcraft” and convert... (full context)

...he tenuously convinces Sir Brian of his blamelessness in the matter of the challenge, which Beaumanoir holds responsibility for allowing. And, with careful flattery and mention of his rivals, Albert rekindles... (full context)

...with galleries and benches. At one end of the field sits a throne from which Beaumanoir will direct the proceedings; at the opposite end, a stake stands ready to burn Rebecca... (full context)

...gates of the preceptory open and a procession of Templars approaches the field. Grand Master Beaumanoir looks splendid in his austere garments, while Sir Brian seems pale, distracted, and full of... (full context)

...emotions and sits down with impressive calm. Albert de Malvoisin formally delivers Rebecca’s challenge to Beaumanoir, who demands that Sir Brian swear before God that his quarrel is “just and honorable.”... (full context)

...Sir Brian and announces the challenge. When, after several moments, no champion appears for Rebecca, Beaumanoir sends the herald to ask if she expects one. She replies that God may still... (full context)

...needles his opponent with the memory of their past clashes, all of which Ivanhoe won. Beaumanoir declares Ivanhoe’s right to fight if Rebecca accepts him as her champion; she does, but... (full context)

...Templar to yield, but Sir Brian remains silent. Begging him to spare Sir Brian’s life, Beaumanoir declares Ivanhoe the winner. Then he descends into the lists and removes Sir Brian’s helmet... (full context)

After a moment of shocked silence, Ivanhoe asks Beaumanoir to declare whether he won the match squarely. Beaumanoir replies that he did, declares Rebecca... (full context)

Lucas de Beaumanoir Character Analysis

Lucas de Beaumanoir Quotes in Ivanhoe

Volume 3, Chapter 13 Quotes

Lucas de Beaumanoir Character Timeline in Ivanhoe