Character guide

Dick Shelton

major

Also known as Dick, Master Dick, sweet Dick, kind Dick, Shelton, young Shelton, Cautiously Dick, young Master Richard Shelton, Master Richard, Richard, good Master Shelton, Master Shelton, Richard Shelton, Sir Richard Shelton, Sir Richard, Friend Dick, Dick—good Dick

Young protagonist who seeks revenge against Sir Daniel Brackley and wins the hand of Joanna Sedley.

Sir Daniel Brackley

major

Also known as Sir Daniel, Brackley, Daniel, Sir Daniel goodwill, Daniel Brackley

Treacherous knight and guardian of Dick Shelton, who plots to marry Joanna Sedley for her inheritance.

Joanna Sedley

major

Also known as One Joan Sedley, Joanna, this Joanna, Joanna Sedley, Joan, Mistresse Joan Sedley, Joan Sedley, Joan The

Disguised as the boy Matcham, she is the heiress whom Dick falls in love with and eventually marries.

Matcham

major

Also known as Master Matcham, Jack, Jack Matcham, good Jack, poor Jack Matcham, Jack ashore, Sir John Matcham, John Matcham

Joanna Sedley's male disguise; she travels with Dick as a companion before revealing her true identity.

Will Lawless

supporting

Also known as Lawless, Will, old Lawless, dear Lawless, Friend Lawless

A drunken but loyal outlaw who becomes Dick's ally and later reveals himself as a former priest.

Bennet Hatch

supporting

Also known as Bennet, Hatch, Maister Bennet Hatch, good Bennet, poor Bennet

Sir Daniel's right-hand man, a stern but conflicted soldier who serves as Dick's early mentor.

Ellis Duckworth

supporting

Also known as Duckworth, Ellis, Master Ellis

Leader of the outlaws who opposes Sir Daniel and aids Dick in his quest for justice.

Lord Foxham

supporting

Also known as Foxham, the Lord Foxham

A nobleman and Joanna's guardian who becomes Dick's patron and ally against Sir Daniel.

Sir Oliver Oates

supporting

Also known as Sir Oliver

A corrupt priest in Sir Daniel's service who performs shady deeds for his master.

Richard of Gloucester

supporting

Also known as Crookback Dick o' Gloucester, the Crookback, Crookback Dick, Gloucester, Crookback, Richard Crookback, Richard, Meanwhile Gloucester

The future King Richard III, a cunning and ambitious duke who appears in the later battles.

Alicia Risingham

supporting

Also known as Mistress Alicia Risingham, the nowise loth Alicia

A spirited young woman who helps Dick and Joanna during their escape in the woods.

Earl Risingham

supporting

Also known as Risingham, V Earl Risingham Earl Risingham, Lord Risingham, my good Lord Risingham

A Lancastrian nobleman and uncle of Alicia, killed in battle by Dick.

Selden

minor

A loyal servant of Lord Foxham who accompanies Dick on missions.

Gossip Arblaster

minor

Also known as Gossip, Arblaster, gossip Arblaster, Even Arblaster, Skipper Arblaster

A shipmaster whose vessel Dick commandeers; later seeks revenge.

Hugh Ferryman

minor

Also known as Hugh

The ferryman who transports Dick and Matcham across the fen.

Tom Cuckow

minor

Also known as Tom, Cuckow

A sailor on the Good Hope who is killed during the skirmish.

John Capper

minor

Also known as Capper, John

A servant of Sir Daniel who assists in the plot against Dick.

Appleyard

minor

Also known as old Appleyard, Old Appleyard, poor Appleyard

An old archer killed by a black arrow early in the story.

John Carter

minor

Also known as Carter, good Carter

A servant of Sir Daniel who is killed by a black arrow.

Greensheve

minor

Also known as brother Greensheve

One of Ellis Duckworth's outlaws who aids Dick.

Clipsby

minor

A man who gives Dick information about Sir Daniel's plans.

Catesby

minor

A retainer of Richard of Gloucester who delivers messages.

John Amend-All

minor

Also known as John Amend, John Amend - All, John, Jon Amend

An alias used by Ellis Duckworth for his outlaw band.

Condall

minor

A sailor on the Good Hope who is killed.

Lord Shoreby

minor

Also known as old Lord Shoreby himself, the Lord of Shoreby, Shoreby

A Lancastrian nobleman who is killed by Dick.

Master Pirret

minor

Also known as Pirret

A servant of Sir Daniel who guards the Moat House.

Dickon

minor

Also known as Friend Dickon

A nickname for Richard of Gloucester used by his followers.

Rutter

minor

A sailor on the Good Hope who is killed.

Throgmorton

minor

A man who brings news to Sir Daniel.

Sir Harry Shelton

minor

Also known as Harry Shelton

Dick's father, whose murder by Sir Daniel sets the plot in motion.

John-a-Fenne

minor

Also known as John - a - Fenne, John Fenne, John

A spy for Sir Daniel who is killed by the outlaws.

Hawksley

minor

One of Ellis Duckworth's outlaws.

Sir John Hamley

minor

Also known as Hamley, this Hamley

A knight who appears at the battle of Shoreby.

Old Nicholas

minor

Also known as Nick, old Nicholas the bowman, old Nick

An old bowman who serves Sir Daniel.

Brother Martin

minor

A friar who helps Dick and Joanna in the abbey.

Lady Brackley

minor

Also known as Brackley, old Lady Brackley

Sir Daniel's mother, a harsh old woman.

Simon Malmesbury

minor

A priest who is killed by a black arrow.

Abbot of Holywood

minor

Also known as The good Abbot of Holywood, Holywood

An abbot who shelters Dick and Joanna.

Kettley

minor

A man who gives Dick information about Sir Daniel.

Lord Wensleydale

minor

A Lancastrian lord killed at the battle of Shoreby.