The medieval laws of chivalry appear as a constant motif in Ivanhoe, where Scott incorporates them as if they were actual historical guidelines that significantly influence the behavior and decisions of the characters.
Chivalry wasn’t actually a “law,” but a set of ideals that were supposed to dictate the conduct of knights and nobles in matters ranging from combat to courtly love. For example, the scene where Baldwin de Oyley offers Brian de Bois-Guilbert's horse and armor to the Disinherited Knight according to the "law of arms" illustrates how the Laws of Chivalry govern the transfer of property and the resolution of disputes in Ivanhoe:
‘According to the laws of chivalry,’ said the foremost of these men, ‘I, Baldwin de Oyley, squire to the redoubted Knight Brian de Bois-Guilbert, make offer to you, styling yourself the Disinherited Knight, of the horse and armour used by the said Brian de Bois-Guilbert in this day’s passage of arms, leaving it with your nobleness to retain or to ransom the same, according to your pleasure; for such is the law of arms.'
Baldwin D’Oyley is here acknowledging that because Ivanhoe defeated Bois-Guilbert in the tournament, the latter automatically forfeits his horse and armor to Ivanhoe. There is no legal “law of arms” that can be enforced, but the laws of chivalry dictate that Bois-Guilbert hand over his possessions. This act not only acknowledges the victor's rights but also emphasizes the importance of reputation and honor in chivalric culture. Not following these rules would be considered a disgrace far worse than losing a joust. Adhering to chivalric tradition means always keeping one's word and acting with honor and integrity.
These chivalric laws served as a guiding principle for public and private behavior, centering virtues such as bravery, skill, mercy, and the protection of the innocent and weak. The expectation is that knights will adhere to these codes, not only in battle but in all aspects of life. Of course, as Ivanhoe demonstrates, this was not always the case. Brian de Bois-Guilbert in particular regularly violates the laws of chivalry, particularly where they apply to defending women and the integrity of vows. Wherever the motif of chivalric law appears, Scott uses it to explore the tension between idealized codes of conduct and his characters' actions. The novel critiques deviations from these laws, demonstrating how moral values and personal desires are often misaligned.
