# Sir Matthew Fell — Short Fiction character guide

> Sir Matthew Fell in Short Fiction by M. R. James.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Matthew Fell, Sir Matthew, Sir Matthew the second, The second Sir Matthew

**First appearance:** 0003-the-ash-tree

## Snapshot

A baronet of the old school, found dead and black in his chamber with the casement open and no mark of entry — a death that will not stay buried.

## Who they are

Sir Matthew Fell is a country baronet of firm habits and firm opinions, a man who keeps his window open in all seasons and his evenings to himself. His death is discovered when he fails to appear at his customary hour, and the physician and coroner find a body twisted in agony, with punctures on the breast that no weapon explains. The parson Crome records the strange swelling that afflicted the women who laid him out, and the account becomes the seed of a legend that outlives him.

## In the story

### [The Ash-Tree](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/the-ash-tree)

The original proprietor of Castringham Hall who testified against Mrs. Mothersole and died mysteriously after her execution.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/sir_matthew_fell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters