Scott read the medieval historians and gained an accurate antiquarian knowledge of medieval warfare, heraldry, monastic institutions, and the dress and habits of the Middle Ages. Scott was also interested in old ballads, especially those that related the story of Robin Hood. He blended these things into his historical novel, Ivanhoe, and used as a background the story of Richard the Lion-Hearted and the evil Prince John. It is an attempt to interest nineteenth century readers in a twelfth century world.