# Amos Midwinter — Midwinter character guide

> Amos Midwinter in Midwinter by John Buchan.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Midwinter, Master Midwinter

**First appearance:** 0002-midwinter

## Snapshot

A square, cloakless figure who swings south into the storm on mysterious errands, moving through inns and byways as if every landlord in the shire answers to him.

## Who they are

Midwinter appears at the Fallow Deer in the thick of the snow, gives orders to the landlord like a man who owns the place, and is gone again before Alastair can make sense of him. His creed forswears all common loyalties, which makes him useful to everyone and trustworthy to no one, and he shows little interest in Alastair's hunt for the traitor. Yet his advice to come to Brightwell, and his quiet assurance that Sir John will travel securely, prove he knows far more about the web than he lets on.

## Relationships

### [Alastair Maclean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/alastair_maclean)

_family_

Amos is Alastair's estranged father, and their relationship is fraught with resentment and unresolved conflict.

### [Alastair Maclean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/alastair_maclean)

_family_

Amos is Alastair's estranged father, and their relationship is fraught with resentment and unresolved conflict.

### [Alastair Maclean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/alastair_maclean)

_family_

Amos is Alastair's estranged father, and their relationship is fraught with resentment and unresolved conflict.

## In the story

### [Midwinter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/midwinter)

Central figure in the chapter, representing the old ways and the spirit of Old England.

### [I: In Which a Highland Gentleman Misses His Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/i-in-which-a-highland-gentleman-misses-his-way)

A mysterious philosopher and leader among the moor-men, who calls himself one of the 'Naked Men' and speaks of the loyalties of Old England. He offers Alastair cryptic advice and a signal for aid.

### [IX: Old England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/ix-old-england)

Guides Alastair through Old England, offering counsel and arranging their journey on foot.

### [X: Snowbound at the Sleeping Deer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/x-snowbound-at-the-sleeping-deer)

Arranges for Alastair's stay at the inn, instructs the landlord to obey Alastair, then departs south on horseback.

### [Night at the Same: Two Visitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xi-night-at-the-same-two-visitors)

Mentioned for his love of Old England, contrasting with Alastair's perspective.

### [XVII: Ordeal of Honour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xvii-ordeal-of-honour)

Enters the scene after the duel, bends Norreys's sword, and serves as counsel in the court of honor.

### [In Which Three Gentlemen Confess Their Nakedness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xviii-in-which-three-gentlemen-confess-their-nakedness)

Plays the violin and offers the hospitality of Old England as a refuge for battered men. Calls the three 'three naked men' and proposes to heal their hearts.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/amos_midwinter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters