Lady Rowena was a ward of Cedric, father of Ivanhoe; she is a lady of grace and poise. Rowena's heart belongs to Ivanhoe, and when the reports of his death reached her she was devastated. Rowena is to be betrothed to Lord Athelstaine, heir to the Saxon Crown but has become a ward of Brian Desboise Gilbert thanks to the Abbott Hugo. This was done despite Cedric's efforts to stop it in hopes that she would marry Gilbert but she never relented. Rowena has some martial training but she is not a warrior at heart, she has a deep respect for those women who are warriors. Rowena is the classic damsel in distress, she loves Ivanhoe and her life revolves around him. There is strife between her and Rebecca mostly due to jealousy. Rowena despises Gilbert and would leave him if she could. Her only friend in Prince John's court is Marion because their situations are so similar.