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

a.why many of the knights show indifference.
b.why Lady Rowena is the queen of the day.
c.why there is tension between the two sides in the tournament.
d.why the people of the tournament defer to Prince John.

When reading the Ivanhoe, it is helpful to know the fact where it explains as to why there is tension between the two sides of the tournament which is letter c, it is because as you read it, Ivanhoe is trying to find a way for resolving the tension and in means of having to be able to find the resolution and apply it to the tension that started in the first place.

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MrsTate MrsTate · Answer 2 · 2019-01-30T22:32:09+01:00

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

It is important to know this fact about the time period because it helps to explain some of the characters' behaviors in the tournament. The tension is not simply because of the contest. It is more deeply rooted because of the tensions between the Saxons and the Normans. Tension between sides does not usually result in indifference so option a is definitely wrong. Lady Rowena is the queen of the day because she was chosen by the winning knight - not because of the tensions. Also, tensions would not cause someone to defer.