# Master Ambrose Honeysuckle — Lud-in-the-Mist character guide

> Master Ambrose Honeysuckle in Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Master Ambrose, Ambrose, Ambrose Honeysuckle, Master Ambrose Keeps

**First appearance:** 0003-i-master-nathaniel-chanticleer

## Snapshot

Nathaniel's blunt, practical brother-in-law and business partner, a Senator who trusts ledgers and the law far more than fairy tales.

## Who they are

Master Ambrose Honeysuckle sits on the Bench and in the Senate, a square, formidable man who prefers facts to fancies and runs his household and affairs with the same firm hand. His daughter Moonlove's wild behavior and the strange goings-on at the Academy unsettle him, though he would never admit to anything like superstition. His skepticism and paternal anxiety make him a counterweight to Nathaniel's secret fears, and his investigations pull the family deeper into the mystery.

## Relationships

### [Master Nathaniel Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/master_nathaniel_chanticleer)

_social_

Ambrose Honeysuckle is a fellow townsman and acquaintance, interacting with Nathaniel in civic and social contexts.

### [Master Nathaniel Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/master_nathaniel_chanticleer)

_social_

Ambrose Honeysuckle is a fellow townsman and acquaintance, interacting with Nathaniel in civic and social contexts.

## In the story

### [Lud-in-the-Mist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/lud-in-the-mist)

A fellow merchant and friend of Nathaniel, who represents the town's conservative values.

### [VII: Master Ambrose Chases a Wild Goose and Has a Vision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/vii-master-ambrose-chases-a-wild-goose-and-has-a-vision)

Chases his daughter Moonlove through the streets, confronts Miss Primrose and Prunella, and has a vision of Duke Aubrey.

### [Endymion Leer Looks Frightened, and a Breach Is Made in an Old Friendship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/viii-endymion-leer-looks-frightened-and-a-breach-is-made-in-an-old-friendship)

Distraught over Moonlove's disappearance, he questions Leer about fairy fruit and later confronts Nathaniel, accusing him of complicity.

### [XI: A Stronger Antidote Than Reason](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xi-a-stronger-antidote-than-reason)

Reconciles with Nathaniel and supports his proposals in the Senate, though he shows a grim attitude toward Moonlove's disappearance.

### [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)

Mentioned in Luke's letter as someone the conspirators want kept apart from the Chanticleers, because he had a vision of Duke Aubrey.

### [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)

Accompanies Nathaniel, initially reluctant but becomes excited; threatens Mother Tibbs and later laughs at the bogus funeral trick.

### [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)

The only senator to audibly support Nathaniel's speech with defiant 'Bravos!'

### [XV: “Ho, Ho, Hoh!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xv-ho-ho-hoh)

Defends Nathaniel passionately in the Senate, protesting against Polydore's accusations and Leer's interference.

### [The Widow Gibberty's Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xvi-the-widow-gibberty-s-trial)

Visits Nathaniel after the mock funeral, indignant at the outrage, but is persuaded to read the trial record.

### [XVII: The World-in-Law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xvii-the-world-in-law)

Listens to Nathaniel's theories, expresses skepticism but agrees to help, and gives Nathaniel the embroidered slipper.

### [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)

Master Ambrose, now a mentor to Master Polydore, is skeptical of the message from Nathaniel but listens carefully. He mutters 'Delusion!' and questions Hazel, then falls into thought.

### [Master Ambrose Keeps His Vow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxx-master-ambrose-keeps-his-vow)

Shows boundless tenderness to Moonlove, undergoes a change of heart, and becomes the strongest man in the Senate, persuading the town to welcome the fairy army.

### [XXXI: The Initiate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxxi-the-initiate)

Visits Nathaniel for a quiet evening, asks about Endymion Leer, and expresses humility about his own ordinary nature compared to Nathaniel and Moonlove.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/master_ambrose_honeysuckle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters