# Elzevir Block — Moonfleet character guide > Elzevir Block in Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Elzevir, grim old Elzevir Block, Block, Master Elzevir, Dear Master Elzevir, poor Elzevir, Master Block, Mr. Block **First appearance:** 0004-i-in-moonfleet-village ## Who they are The grim, grief-scarred innkeeper of the Mohune Arms, whose fierce loyalty to a dead son and a hunted boy makes him both protector and outlaw. ## Relationships ### [Grace Maskew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/grace_maskew) _family_ Elzevir is Grace's father, though their relationship is strained by her mother's death and Elzevir's grief. ### [Ratsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/ratsey) _friendship_ Ratsey is Elzevir's loyal friend and fellow smuggler, sharing a bond of mutual trust and danger. ### [Blackbeard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/blackbeard) _rivalry_ Blackbeard is a ruthless pirate captain who opposes Elzevir in the smuggling underworld. ### [John Trenchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/john_trenchard) _friendship_ Elzevir becomes a mentor and father figure to young John Trenchard after John's father dies. ### [Master Turnkey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/master_turnkey) _professional_ Master Turnkey is the jailer who interacts with Elzevir during his imprisonment. ### [Damen of Ringstave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/damen_of_ringstave) _rivalry_ Damen of Ringstave is a local magistrate who pursues Elzevir for his smuggling activities. ### [Mr. Bailiff](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/mr_bailiff) _professional_ Mr. Bailiff is a legal official who deals with Elzevir's legal troubles and debts. ### [Reverend Mr. Glennie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/reverend_mr_glennie) _social_ Elzevir and Reverend Glennie have a tense but respectful acquaintance, divided by their different worlds. ### [Aunt Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/aunt_jane) _family_ Aunt Jane is Elzevir's sister-in-law, who cares for his daughter Grace but clashes with him. ### [David Block](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/david_block) _family_ David Block is Elzevir's deceased brother, whose memory haunts Elzevir with guilt and grief. ### [John Trenchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/john_trenchard) _friendship_ Elzevir becomes a mentor and father figure to young John Trenchard after John's father dies. ### [Blackbeard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/blackbeard) _rivalry_ Blackbeard is a ruthless pirate captain who opposes Elzevir in the smuggling underworld. ## In the story ### [Moonfleet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/moonfleet) The grim innkeeper of the Mohune Arms, involved in local smuggling. ### [In Moonfleet Village](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/i-in-moonfleet-village) The grim innkeeper of the Why Not?, mourning the death of his son David and growing increasingly morose. ### [II: The Floods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/ii-the-floods) Found listening at the church wall with Ratsey; remains stoic during the flood, refusing to leave the Why Not?. ### [III: A Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/iii-a-discovery) Implied to be involved in the smuggling operation using the vault. ### [In the Vault](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/iv-in-the-vault) Speaks kindly of John, calling him a brave lad, and later silences the smugglers. ### [The Rescue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/v-the-rescue) Rescues John from the vault, nurses him tenderly, and offers him a home, treating him like a son. ### [An Auction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/vii-an-auction) Loses the inn in a bitter auction to Maskew, sits in despair afterward. ### [The Landing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/viii-the-landing) Decides to land a cargo under Hoar Head to avoid Maskew's watch; overbears the men to spare Maskew's life. ### [IX: A Judgement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/ix-a-judgement) Acts as judge and executioner, resolved to kill Maskew but conflicted, ultimately interrupted by the arrival of men on the cliff. ### [X: The Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/x-the-escape) Carries John across the downs and up the cliff path, showing immense strength and determination despite his age. ### [XI: The Sea-Cave](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/xi-the-sea-cave) Nurses John tenderly, forages for supplies, and is hunted with a £50 price on his head. ### [A Funeral](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/xii-a-funeral) In hiding, suspected of Maskew's murder; discusses the legend of Blackbeard's diamond and plans an escape. ### [An Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/xiii-an-interview) Reluctantly allows John to visit Moonfleet after John confesses his true motive; accompanies John partway and agrees to wait for his return. ### [XIV: The Well-House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/xiv-the-well-house) Disguised as a mason, Elzevir orchestrates the plan to search the well, showing determination and careful preparation. ### [The Well](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/xv-the-well) Wrestles with the turnkey, accidentally causing his fall into the well, and supports John in keeping the diamond. ### [The Jewel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/xvi-the-jewel) Elzevir tries to protect John by limiting what he says to Aldobrand, warns John about the diamond's curse, and reluctantly agrees to return to the garden out of love for John. ### [At Ymeguen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/xvii-at-ymeguen) Imprisoned alongside John, suffers silently without reproach, is struck in court, and ages visibly during their years of slavery. ### [In the Bay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/xviii-in-the-bay) Remains calm and resolute, steering the ship and trying to save the prisoners; shows deep emotion upon recognizing the Snout. ### [XIX: On the Beach](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/chapters/xix-on-the-beach) Died saving John from the sea; his body lies under a sail in the room. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters/elzevir_block - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/moonfleet_se/characters