# Squire Gordon — Black Beauty character guide

> Squire Gordon in Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** young Gordon, Mrs. Gordon

**First appearance:** 0003-part-i-iv-birtwick-park

## Snapshot

The kindly squire of Birtwick Park who inspects a young black colt, pronounces him promising, and becomes Beauty's first real master.

## Who they are

Squire Gordon of Birtwick Park is the sort of master every horse hopes for — he examines eyes, mouth, and legs with care, and speaks of breaking a colt gently rather than roughly. His household is shadowed early by grief: his only son George dies in a hunting accident, a loss that hangs over the estate and colors the squire's later decision to leave for a warmer climate. His kindness establishes the standard against which Beauty measures every later home.

## In the story

### [My Breaking In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-iii-my-breaking-in)

Examines Black Beauty at age four and expresses interest in buying him after he is broken in.

### [A Fair Start](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-v-a-fair-start)

The master who names Black Beauty and tests his paces.

### [Ginger's Story Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-viii-ginger-s-story-continued)

Notices Ginger's improvement and strokes her neck, expressing hope for her full recovery.

### [Merrylegs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-ix-merrylegs)

Referenced as 'our master' who praises Merrylegs' good temper and trustworthiness to Mrs. Blomefield.

### [Plain Speaking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-xi-plain-speaking)

Confronts Mr. Sawyer for abusing a pony and debates Captain Langley about checkreins.

### [A Stormy Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-xii-a-stormy-day)

The master on the journey; initially urges Black Beauty forward but later acknowledges the horse's superior instinct.

### [James Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-xiv-james-howard)

Arranges James's new position and tests John's opinion.

### [The Old Hostler](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-xv-the-old-hostler)

Mentioned as James's master and a fine judge of horses; his son's death in a riding accident is discussed.

### [The Fire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-xvi-the-fire)

Master who arrives during the fire, praises James, and later visits the horses.

### [Going for the Doctor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-xviii-going-for-the-doctor)

Gives the urgent order to ride for the doctor and later visits the ill Beauty.

### [Joe Green](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-xx-joe-green)

Acts as magistrate in the case against the carter, hearing Joe's evidence.

### [The Parting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-i-xxi-the-parting)

Master who arranges the sale of the horses and thanks John for his faithful service before leaving.

### [XXVIII: A Job Horse and His Drivers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-ii-xxviii-a-job-horse-and-his-drivers)

Mentioned as an example of a good driver who kept his horses to their best paces and manners.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters/squire_gordon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/black_beauty_se/characters