# Liddy Smallbury — Far from the Madding Crowd character guide > Liddy Smallbury in Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Liddy, Lydia Smallbury, Lydia **First appearance:** 0010-ix-the-homestead-a-visitor-half-confidences ## Snapshot Bathsheba's loyal maid and closest confidante, whose plain sense and gentle gossip keep her mistress tethered to ordinary life. ## Who they are Liddy has been with Bathsheba through her troubles and remains the one person in the household to whom the mistress speaks freely, whether about marriage, Troy, or the rumors drifting through Weatherbury. She is shrewd in her simplicity and occasionally used as an unwitting source by Boldwood, who finds her far less pliable than he hopes. Her steady presence gives Bathsheba a rare outlet for honesty and gives the novel much of its warmth. ## Relationships ### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene) _professional_ Liddy is Bathsheba's loyal maid and confidante, providing companionship and gossip while serving her mistress faithfully. ### [Frank Troy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/frank_troy) _social_ Liddy Smallbury interacts with Frank Troy as her mistress's husband, often gossiping about his scandalous behavior. ### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene) _professional_ Liddy is Bathsheba's loyal maid and confidante, providing companionship and gossip while serving her mistress faithfully. ### [Bathsheba Everdene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/bathsheba_everdene) _professional_ Liddy is Bathsheba's loyal maid and confidante, providing companionship and gossip while serving her mistress faithfully. ### [Frank Troy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/frank_troy) _social_ Liddy Smallbury interacts with Frank Troy as her mistress's husband, often gossiping about his scandalous behavior. ### [Frank Troy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/frank_troy) _social_ Liddy Smallbury interacts with Frank Troy as her mistress's husband, often gossiping about his scandalous behavior. ## In the story ### [IX: The Homestead; A Visitor; Half-Confidences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/ix-the-homestead-a-visitor-half-confidences) Bathsheba's servant-companion; provides gossip about Boldwood and prompts Bathsheba's confession about a past suitor. ### [XII: Farmers; A Rule; An Exception](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xii-farmers-a-rule-an-exception) Accompanies Bathsheba to market and discusses Farmer Boldwood's indifference and rumored past disappointment. ### [XIII: Sortes Sanctorum; The Valentine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xiii-sortes-sanctorum-the-valentine) Bathsheba's companion who suggests the valentine prank and encourages the divination, showing her playful and somewhat mischievous nature. ### [XVII: In the Market-Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xvii-in-the-market-place) Liddy is mentioned as co-instigator of the prank that led to Boldwood's infatuation. ### [XXIV: The Same Night; The Fir Plantation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxiv-the-same-night-the-fir-plantation) Bathsheba's maid, who provides information about Sergeant Troy's background and character. ### [XXVII: Hiving the Bees](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxvii-hiving-the-bees) Mentioned as having left the house to help with hay; Bathsheba briefly considers bringing her to the meeting with Troy. ### [XXIX: Particulars of a Twilight Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxix-particulars-of-a-twilight-walk) Referenced as the confidante to whom Bathsheba spoke freely about Boldwood, contrasting with her secrecy about Troy. ### [XXX: Hot Cheeks and Tearful Eyes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxx-hot-cheeks-and-tearful-eyes) Bathsheba's confidante; overheard gossiping; receives Bathsheba's confession of love and is sworn to secrecy. ### [XXXI: Blame; Fury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxi-blame-fury) Bathsheba visits her sister, having granted Liddy a week's holiday as a reconciliation gesture. ### [Home Again; A Trickster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xxxiv-home-again-a-trickster) Accompanies Bathsheba home and later is sent away to allow Troy's visit. ### [Fanny's Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xliii-fanny-s-revenge) Attends to Bathsheba, relays rumors about Fanny, and shows sympathy for her mistress's distress. ### [Under a Tree; Reaction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xliv-under-a-tree-reaction) Finds Bathsheba in the wood, brings her food and clothing, and becomes her confidante, helping her settle in the attic. ### [The Gurgoyle: Its Doings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xlvi-the-gurgoyle-its-doings) Informs Bathsheba about Troy's departure and the strange noise from the churchyard. ### [XLVIII: Doubts Arise; Doubts Linger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xlviii-doubts-arise-doubts-linger) Liddy meets Bathsheba upon her return and suggests mourning clothes, but Bathsheba insists Troy is still alive. ### [Oak’s Advancement; A Great Hope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/xlix-oak-s-advancement-a-great-hope) Assists in the haymaking and is questioned by Boldwood about Bathsheba's views on remarriage; she innocently reveals Bathsheba's casual remark about waiting six years. ### [Converging Courses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/lii-converging-courses) Liddy assists Bathsheba with her dress and teases her about the possibility of Boldwood proposing. ### [After the Shock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/liv-after-the-shock) Helps Bathsheba fill the bath and waits in the next room; reports to the surgeon and parson. ### [LV: The March Following; “Bathsheba Boldwood”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/lv-the-march-following-bathsheba-boldwood) Reports on Bathsheba's condition, noting her pitiable decline from a romping girl to a miserable woman. ### [LVI: Beauty in Loneliness; After All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/lvi-beauty-in-loneliness-after-all) Mentioned as someone Bathsheba shuns during her period of isolation. ### [LVII: A Foggy Night and Morning; Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/chapters/lvii-a-foggy-night-and-morning-conclusion) Bathsheba's maid; is told the news and attends the wedding. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters/liddy_smallbury - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/far_from_the_madding_crowd_se/characters