# Ranulph Chanticleer — Lud-in-the-Mist character guide > Ranulph Chanticleer in Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope Mirrlees. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Ranulph, Master Ranulph, Ranulph Chanticleer, young Master Chanticleer, little Chanticleer **First appearance:** 0003-i-master-nathaniel-chanticleer ## Snapshot Nathaniel's twelve-year-old son, a sensitive, sulky boy whose strange illness and disappearance become the heart of the town's troubles. ## Who they are Ranulph Chanticleer is the only son of the mayor, treated more as an heirloom than a child by a father distracted by office and habit. Quiet and withdrawn at his father's parties, he is drawn to things the respectable citizens of Lud-in-the-Mist pretend do not exist. When he falls ill and then vanishes, his fate forces Nathaniel to confront the fairy fruit and old bargains he has spent his life avoiding. ## Relationships ### [Master Nathaniel Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/master_nathaniel_chanticleer) _family_ Nathaniel is Ranulph's father, and their relationship is marked by paternal care and generational tension over tradition and change. ### [Dame Marigold Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/dame_marigold_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_ Hazel and Ranulph are friends and allies, often collaborating in adventures and supporting each other. ### [Master Nathaniel Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/master_nathaniel_chanticleer) _family_ Nathaniel is Ranulph's father, and their relationship is marked by paternal care and generational tension over tradition and change. ### [Master Nathaniel Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/master_nathaniel_chanticleer) _family_ Nathaniel is Ranulph's father, and their relationship is marked by paternal care and generational tension over tradition and change. ### [Dame Marigold Chanticleer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/dame_marigold_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_ Hazel and Ranulph are friends and allies, often collaborating in adventures and supporting each other. ## In the story ### [Lud-in-the-Mist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/lud-in-the-mist) Nathaniel's son, who shows signs of a poetic and dreamy nature, worrying his father. ### [III: The Beginning of Trouble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/iii-the-beginning-of-trouble) Confesses to eating fairy fruit, describes visions of the Silent People, and expresses a longing to escape. ### [Endymion Leer Prescribes for Ranulph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/iv-endymion-leer-prescribes-for-ranulph) Lying ill after eating fairy fruit; terrified of being left alone with Leer, but later appears peaceful and claims the doctor was healing him through song. ### [Ranulph Goes to the Widow Gibberty’s Farm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/v-ranulph-goes-to-the-widow-gibberty-s-farm) Eager to go to the farm, excited by Leer's descriptions; during supper he calls the adults' conversation 'pretence talk' and screams at the sight of old Portunus. ### [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) Reported to be well and happy at the farm, writing cheerful letters. ### [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) Revealed by Leer to have eaten fairy fruit, described as one of the worst cases. ### [X: Hempie's Song](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/x-hempie-s-song) Mentioned as Hempie's 'boy' who is reportedly bonny at the farm, and his description of agony is recalled by 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) Mentioned in Luke Hempen's letter as being in danger at the farm, with the widow and a mysterious man plotting against him. ### [XX: Watching the Cows](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xx-watching-the-cows) Grows sunburned and gay, then wilts; spoiled and defiant, he insists on watching the cows despite Luke's objections, and later asks about Fairyland, nearly running off. ### [XXI: The Old Goatherd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxi-the-old-goatherd) Ranulph runs away from the farm, is intercepted by Yeomen on the border, and is escorted to Moongrass after producing a letter from the Seneschal. ### [XXII: Who Is Portunus?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxii-who-is-portunus) Mentioned as being away at a farm near Moongrass with Luke, and Hazel is relieved to hear he is safe. ### [XXIV: Belling the Cat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxiv-belling-the-cat) Revealed to have followed Duke Aubrey's summons across the hills to Fairyland on the night of October 31st. ### [XXVII: The Fair in the Elfin Marches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxvii-the-fair-in-the-elfin-marches) Mentioned as the son Nathaniel seeks, believed to have crossed the hills. ### [Master Ambrose Keeps His Vow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxx-master-ambrose-keeps-his-vow) Returns from Fairyland riding beside his father Nathaniel. ### [XXXI: The Initiate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxxi-the-initiate) Mentioned as having been sent to Fairyland by Leer, which ultimately led Nathaniel to follow and return as Duke Aubrey's deputy. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/chapters/xxxii-conclusion) Grows up to become a celebrated poet, writing songs that travel across the sea; visits Hazel's farm with Nathaniel. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lud_in_the_mist_se/characters/ranulph_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