Ashby Street

Ashby Street is named after the Saxon estate in the novel Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott.

Here is where the tournament, Ashby-de-la-Zouch takes place during the novel. The tournament is open to all noblemen of the time. The first day of the tournament features a joust that was won by The Disinherited Knight who we later learn is Wilfred of Ivanhoe. He is given the honor of naming the Queen of Love and Beauty for the following days of the celebration. Ivanhoe chooses the Saxon princess, Lady Rowena.

The second day of the tournament hosts a hand-to-hand combat and an archery contest. The hand-to-hand combat competition is also won by Wilfred of Ivanhoe, but because he had won the previous day, the title win was given to The Black Knight for helping Ivanhoe in his moment of need. The Black Knight, who we learn later in the story is King Richard 1, has disappeared by this time. Ivanhoe is badly injured and is later cared for by Rebecca the Jewess. The archery contest at the end of the day was won by the famous Robin of Locksley, better known as Robin Hood.

Because Ashby is a Saxon estate it makes sense that this street would be a East-West road because it would then be parallel to Saxon Street, Rowena Street, and Rotherwood Street. Because Rowena is named Queen of Love and Beauty at this place, we can see a literary connection between Rowena Street and Ashby Street.

Return to Streets of Ivanhoe.