The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris.
Birdalone
major
Also known as Birdalone, the Sending Boat Birdalone, Birdalone Viridis, XI Birdalone, VI Birdalone, Birdalone Bethinks
The protagonist, a stolen child raised by a witch, who escapes via a magical boat to seek her destiny.
Atra
supporting
Also known as Atra, sister Atra, VI Atra, Spake Atra
One of three sister queens imprisoned on the Isle of Increase Unsought, later freed by Birdalone.
Aurea
supporting
Also known as Aurea, Aurea and Viridis
One of the three sister queens, known for her wisdom and sweetness, companion to Birdalone.
Viridis
supporting
Also known as Viridis, little Viridis, thy Viridis, Birdalone Viridis
The youngest of the three sister queens, gentle and kind, later rescued from peril.
Arthur the Black Squire
major
Also known as Arthur the Black Squire, the Black Squire, Arthur, Black Squire, Sir Arthur, this Lord Arthur, Spake Arthur
A knight and Birdalone's true love, who undergoes many trials to be reunited with her.
Hugh the Green Knight
supporting
Also known as Hugh the Green Knight, Hugh, the Green Knight, Sir Hugh, IX Hugh
A champion of the quest and later a suitor to Birdalone, loyal and brave.
Habundia
supporting
Also known as Habundia, the wood woman, the wood mother, the wood wife
A magical wood-wife who mentors Birdalone and aids her with faery wisdom.
Leonard
supporting
Also known as Leonard, Sir Leonard, priest Leonard, St. Leonard
The chaplain at the Castle of the Quest who befriends and teaches Birdalone.
Gerard of the Clee
supporting
Also known as Gerard of the Clee, old Gerard, Gerard, good Gerard
A kind old man who shelters Birdalone and fathers the Gerardson brothers.
Sir Baudoin
supporting
Also known as Sir Baudoin, Baudoin, the Golden Knight, Baudoin the Golden Knight, the tall Baudoin, Quoth Baudoin
A knight known as the Golden Knight, one of the champions of the quest.
Sir Aymeris
supporting
Also known as Sir Aymeris, Quoth Sir Aymeris, V Sir Aymeris
A knight who shows Birdalone the mountains and aids her during her stay.
The Witch Wife
supporting
Also known as the witch wife, the witch mistress
The cruel witch who raised Birdalone in captivity and later dies.
The Black Knight
supporting
Also known as the Black Knight, The Black Knight, XIV The Black Knight
A mysterious knight who aids Birdalone in the Black Valley and reveals his true identity.
Master Jacobus
minor
Also known as Master Jacobus, Jacobus
A craftsman in the City of the Five Crafts who befriends Birdalone.
Arnold
minor
Also known as Arnold or Anselm, Arnold, the said Arnold
A man who escorts Birdalone on part of her journey from Greenford.
Geoffrey of Lea
minor
Also known as Geoffrey of Lea, Geoffrey, Sir Geoffrey of Lea, Sir Geoffrey
A knight and one of the champions of the quest.
Robert Gerardson
minor
Also known as Robert, Robert Gerardson
One of Gerard's sons who accompanies Birdalone on her travels.
Giles Gerardson
minor
Also known as Giles, Giles Gerardson
Another of Gerard's sons, loyal to Birdalone.
Thomas of Estcliffe
minor
Also known as Thomas, Sir Thomas of Estcliffe, Sir Thomas
A knight mentioned among the champions of the quest.
Audrey
minor
Also known as Audrey
A poor wife who befriends Birdalone in the City of the Five Crafts.
Otter
minor
Also known as Otter
A minor character encountered during Birdalone's journey.
Adam
minor
Also known as Adam
A named minor character in the narrative.
Antony
minor
Also known as Antony
A minor character mentioned in the story.
The Red Knight
minor
Also known as the Red Knight, The Red Knight
An antagonist knight associated with the Red Hold.
The Priest
minor
Also known as the priest, the Priest
A priest at the Castle of the Quest who aids Birdalone's escape.
The Sergeant
minor
Also known as the sergeant, The sergeant
A sergeant at the Castle of the Quest who interacts with Birdalone.
The Captain of the Porte
minor
Also known as the captain of the porte
A captain who oversees the gate at the Castle of the Quest.
The Broiderers
minor
Also known as the broiderers
Craftswomen who clothe Birdalone in fine raiment.
The Champions
minor
Also known as the Champions, Champions, X The Champions
A group of knights undertaking the quest from the Castle of the Quest.
The Gerardsons
minor
Also known as the Gerardsons, Gerardsons
The sons of Gerard who travel with Birdalone.
Evilshaw
minor
Also known as Evilshaw, the Devils of Evilshaw
A forest and its band of outlaws encountered by the company.
The Stony Folk
minor
Also known as the Stony Folk
A group of people encountered on the Isle of the Young and the Old.
The Greywethers
minor
Also known as the Greywethers
A landmark in the Black Valley, associated with danger.
The Red One
minor
Also known as the Red One
A mysterious figure associated with the Red Hold.
Master Peter
minor
Also known as Master Peter, Master Peter spake
A minor character who speaks in the narrative.
