# Squire Martin — Short Fiction character guide

> Squire Martin in Short Fiction by M. R. James.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Squire, the Squire, Martin

**First appearance:** 0016-martin-s-close

## Snapshot

A country squire whose manor has a room he does not use and a story he does not tell, and whose hospitality has a way of ending badly.

## Who they are

Squire Martin is a landowner of the old stamp, comfortable in his manor and accustomed to being master in his own house. But there is a part of the house he avoids and a matter he will not discuss, and his unease shows in the way he steers guests away from certain doors. His reluctance to speak is itself a kind of warning, and the reader learns to read his silences as carefully as his words.

## Relationships

### [Mr. Fanshawe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/mr_fanshawe)

_rivalry_

Mr. Fanshawe and Squire Martin are antagonists, possibly competing for influence or opposing each other in a conflict.

### [Patten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/patten)

_professional_

Patten and Squire Martin have a professional relationship, possibly as servant and master or employee and employer.

### [Mr. Fanshawe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/mr_fanshawe)

_rivalry_

Mr. Fanshawe and Squire Martin are antagonists, possibly competing for influence or opposing each other in a conflict.

### [Patten](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/patten)

_professional_

Patten and Squire Martin have a professional relationship, possibly as servant and master or employee and employer.

### [Mr. Fanshawe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/characters/mr_fanshawe)

_rivalry_

Mr. Fanshawe and Squire Martin are antagonists, possibly competing for influence or opposing each other in a conflict.

## In the story

### [Canon Alberic's Scrapbook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/canon-alberic-s-scrapbook)

Dennistoun's companion who comments on the cost of masses for Alberic de Mauléon.

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

Sir Richard Fell is referred to as the Squire; he is the central figure in the later part of the story.

### [Count Magnus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/count-magnus)

The innkeeper at the village near Råbäck; he provides Wraxall with local traditions about Count Magnus, including the Black Pilgrimage, but is evasive about details.

### [Martin's Close](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/martin-s-close)

George Martin, the prisoner tried for murdering Ann Clark; described as a young gentleman of a good estate, hanged for the crime.

### [A View from a Hill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/a-view-from-a-hill)

Squire Richards, Fanshawe's host. He provides the binoculars and later reveals knowledge of Baxter's dark experiments.

### [A Warning to the Curious](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/a-warning-to-the-curious)

Mentioned as the rector's companion during the initial conversation about the crowns.

### [An Evening’s Entertainment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_35_se/chapters/an-evening-s-entertainment)

Exhausted after a day's shooting, he dozes by the fire and grumbles at the children's noise.

## Links

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