Lord Erik, a friend of Richard and Ivanhoe, unexpectedly lands at Dover with a large sum of money – destined for the ransom fund Ivanhoe is collecting to pay off the Holy Roman Emperor and free the King. Hearing about Erik’s arrival, Prince John organises festivities in York in the honour of Rowena. He hopes to distract Ivanhoe and enable Front-de-Boeuf to snatch Erik’s treasure. But Ivanhoe will foil the Regent’s plans.