# Betty Muxworthy — Lorna Doone character guide

> Betty Muxworthy in Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Betty, Eliza, Betty, Betty Muxworthy, Lizzie, little Eliza, little Lizzie

**First appearance:** 0000-i-elements-of-education

## Snapshot

The Ridd family's grumbling, greasy-aproned old servant, whose rough tongue and long memory make her a fixture of Plover's Barrows.

## Who they are

Betty Muxworthy has served the Ridds so long that she treats John as a boy to be scolded and poked with saucepan covers, even when he has grown into the master of the farm. She hates Uncle Ben, grins at misfortune, and speaks a broad Exmoor dialect that grounds the novel in its place and class. Her running commentary on the household's worries gives the early chapters their homely texture and quiet comedy.

## Relationships

### [John Ridd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters/john_ridd)

_professional_

Betty Muxworthy is the Ridd family's sharp-tongued but loyal housekeeper, who scolds and cares for John.

### [John Ridd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters/john_ridd)

_professional_

Betty Muxworthy is the Ridd family's sharp-tongued but loyal housekeeper, who scolds and cares for John.

### [John Ridd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters/john_ridd)

_professional_

Betty Muxworthy is the Ridd family's sharp-tongued but loyal housekeeper, who scolds and cares for John.

## In the story

### [Necessary Practice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/vi-necessary-practice)

The scolding farm servant who distrusts book-learning and dotes on Annie.

### [Hard It Is to Climb](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/vii-hard-it-is-to-climb)

Referenced as the maker of the sweet brown bread John eats during his fishing trip.

### [IX: There Is No Place Like Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/ix-there-is-no-place-like-home)

Scolds and cooks at the farm; tries to pry into John's adventure.

### [John Is Bewitched](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xvii-john-is-bewitched)

Betty mocks John's lovesick state by barking like a dog and pretending he bit her, especially when he is lost in thought about Lorna.

### [A Safe Pass for King's Messenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxiv-a-safe-pass-for-king-s-messenger)

Mentioned in a simile about being argued down.

### [Reaping Leads to Revelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxix-reaping-leads-to-revelling)

Leads the milkmaids and scolds them for not walking properly.

### [John Fry's Errand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxxi-john-fry-s-errand)

Sharp-witted sister; she suspects Uncle Reuben's motives and later interrupts John Fry's story with a sarcastic remark.

### [Feeding of the Pigs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxxii-feeding-of-the-pigs)

Makes cryptic signs to John about Lorna; tests his strength by having him carry pig's wash; hints at helping him win Lorna.

### [Brought Home at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xliv-brought-home-at-last)

Household servant; helps carry Lorna inside and chatters about her beauty.

### [Squire Faggus Makes Some Lucky Hits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xlvi-squire-faggus-makes-some-lucky-hits)

Servant; waits at the high dinner.

### [A Visit from the Counsellor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/li-a-visit-from-the-counsellor)

Warns John about the Counsellor's visit; teases him about Lorna.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters/betty_muxworthy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters