# Dame Marigold Chanticleer — Lud-in-the-Mist character guide > Dame Marigold Chanticleer in Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Dame Marigold, Marigold, Dame Marigold Chanticleer **First appearance:** 0003-i-master-nathaniel-chanticleer ## Snapshot Nathaniel's wife, a Vigil by birth, practical and long-suffering, who manages the household and its worries with quiet competence. ## Who they are Dame Marigold Chanticleer knows her husband's sensitive Chanticleer nerves too well to burden him with household troubles, and she bears the family's anxieties largely alone. Practical and steady where Nathaniel is dreamy and irritable, she keeps the Chanticleers' respectable life running while watching her son Ranulph with growing unease. Her silence and forbearance shape the domestic strain that runs beneath the town's public scandals. ## Relationships ### [Master Nathaniel Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/master_nathaniel_chanticleer) _family_ Marigold is Nathaniel's wife, and their relationship is one of domestic partnership and mutual support within the family. ### [Hazel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/hazel) _friendship_ Marigold and Hazel share a friendly bond, often working together to support Nathaniel and the household. ### [Ranulph Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/ranulph_chanticleer) _family_ Marigold is Ranulph's mother, and their relationship is one of maternal affection and guidance. ### [Master Nathaniel Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/master_nathaniel_chanticleer) _family_ Marigold is Nathaniel's wife, and their relationship is one of domestic partnership and mutual support within the family. ### [Master Nathaniel Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/master_nathaniel_chanticleer) _family_ Marigold is Nathaniel's wife, and their relationship is one of domestic partnership and mutual support within the family. ### [Ranulph Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/ranulph_chanticleer) _family_ Marigold is Ranulph's mother, and their relationship is one of maternal affection and guidance. ### [Hazel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/hazel) _friendship_ Marigold and Hazel share a friendly bond, often working together to support Nathaniel and the household. ## In the story ### [Lud-in-the-Mist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/lud-in-the-mist) Nathaniel's wife, who shares his practical outlook and concerns about their son's tendencies. ### [III: The Beginning of Trouble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/iii-the-beginning-of-trouble) Reacted with horror and blame upon learning of Ranulph's secret; feels contempt for the Chanticleers. ### [Endymion Leer Prescribes for Ranulph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/iv-endymion-leer-prescribes-for-ranulph) Pale and defiant, resentful of the Chanticleers for involving her in the scandal. She tries to calm Nathaniel and apologizes profusely to Leer after the attack. ### [VI: The Wind in the Crabapple Blossoms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/vi-the-wind-in-the-crabapple-blossoms) Reminisces with other old pupils about Miss Primrose's past follies. ### [IX: Panic and the Silent People](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/ix-panic-and-the-silent-people) Dame Marigold is in nervous prostration, suffering nausea and vomiting over Prunella's disappearance. ### [X: Hempie's Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/x-hempie-s-song) Found dejected at home, she reacts to the calamity with physical disgust and petulance, leading to a bitter argument with Nathaniel. ### [XII: Dame Marigold Hears the Tap of a Woodpecker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xii-dame-marigold-hears-the-tap-of-a-woodpecker) Visits Miss Primrose in prison, notices a hollow panel and recalls Dr. Leer's tapping, and extracts a revealing slip about the great drought. ### [What Master Nathaniel and Master Ambrose Found in the Guildhall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xiii-what-master-nathaniel-and-master-ambrose-found-in-the-guildhall) Mentioned as having described the hollow panel that leads to the secret staircase. ### [XIV: Dead in the Eye of the Law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xiv-dead-in-the-eye-of-the-law) Complains to Nathaniel about the smell of green shag, though he denies smoking it; her shrewish tone is softened by a playful gesture. ### [XV: “Ho, Ho, Hoh!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xv-ho-ho-hoh) Brings the keys for the Senate search and is dismayed when the grandfather clock is opened to reveal fairy fruits. ### [XIX: The Berries of Merciful Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xix-the-berries-of-merciful-death) Refuses to move to Polydore's house, insists on staying, and shows defiance toward the mob. ### [XXVI: “Neither Trees nor Men”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxvi-neither-trees-nor-men) Sits on the front seats with other magistrates' wives; responds to Dame Dreamsweet's comment with a shrug and sigh. ### [XXIX: A Message Comes to Hazel and the First Swallow to Dame Marigold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxix-a-message-comes-to-hazel-and-the-first-swallow-to-dame-marigold) Dame Marigold is in deep mourning, believing Nathaniel dead, and has withdrawn from society. She is overjoyed when Prunella returns home in the snow, and finds solace in Hempie's unwavering faith. ### [XXXI: The Initiate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxxi-the-initiate) Comforts Nathaniel after Ambrose leaves, kneeling beside him and offering tender reassurance, sparking a new hope in him. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxxii-conclusion) Continues to smile and nibble marzipan, sometimes wondering if Nathaniel truly returned from beyond the Debatable Hills. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/dame_marigold_chanticleer - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters