# Countess Martha Althaus — Lay Down Your Arms character guide

> Countess Martha Althaus in Lay Down Your Arms by Bertha von Suttner.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Martha, Countess Martha, Lady Martha

**First appearance:** 0004-ii

## Who they are

An older noblewoman of youthful spirit and strong opinions, she embodies the martial pride and social expectations Martha must eventually unlearn.

## In the story

### [First Years of Widowhood—Solitude, Study, Enlarged Views—I Return Into Society—Renewed Enjoyment of Life—Thoughts of Second Marriage—I Chaperon My Younger Sisters—I Am Introduced to Baron Tilling—He Brings Me an Account of the Manner of Arno's Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lay_down_your_arms_se/chapters/iii)

Martha's mother; mentioned as part of the family circle at Grumitz.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lay_down_your_arms_se/chapters/iv)

Martha's father; plays piquet and teases Martha and Tilling about their whispered conversation.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lay_down_your_arms_se/chapters/v)

Martha's aunt; participates in the dinner conversation about war.

### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lay_down_your_arms_se/chapters/ix)

Martha's mother; present at the New Year's celebration, but not directly quoted.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lay_down_your_arms_se/characters/countess_martha_althaus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lay_down_your_arms_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lay_down_your_arms_se/characters