The narrator backtracks to describe what happens immediately after Cedric escapes Torquilstone in the monk’s outfit. Going to Locksley’s camp, he encourages the besiegers to mount an assault on the castle. The Black Knight leads the outlaws in building a raft bridge to cross the moat and breach the inner castle walls. Ulrica, true to her word, creates a diversion by setting the castle on fire. Bracy, who directs the defense of the castle, continues to hold off the attackers until the Black Knight whispers his identity in his ear. Bracy immediately surrenders and tells the Black Knight where to find Ivanhoe.

Meanwhile, as the castle becomes filled with smoke, Bois-Guilbert saves Rebecca but leaves Ivanhoe. Soon after, however, the Black Knight arrives and carries Ivanhoe away. On the lower floors of the castle, Cedric and Gurth find Rowena, and Cedric tells Gurth to carry her out of the castle while he searches for Athelstane. Athelstane, seeing Bois-Guilbert fleeing with Rebecca (whom he mistakes for his fiancée Rowena), charges at him with the nearest weapon. Bois-Guilbert strikes him down with a single blow to the head. Bois-Guilbert then retreats to his Templar preceptory.