Question

read the historical fact. in medieval england, there was great tension between the saxons and the normans. when reading ivanhoe, it is helpful to know this fact because it explains why many of the knights show indifference. why lady rowena is the queen of the day. why there is tension between the two sides in the tournament. why the people of the tournament defer to prince john.

Explanation:

In Ivanhoe, the tournament scene reflects real - life tensions. The historical tension between Saxons and Normans is mirrored in the tension between the two sides in the tournament.

Answer:

why there is tension between the two sides in the tournament.