# Bennet Hatch — The Black Arrow character guide

> Bennet Hatch in The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bennet, Hatch, Maister Bennet Hatch, good Bennet, poor Bennet

**First appearance:** 0001-book-i-the-two-lads

## Snapshot

Sir Daniel's right hand, a soldier who knows the forest hates him and still stands his ground with a crossbow and a curse.

## Who they are

Bennet Hatch serves Sir Daniel with a soldier's blunt loyalty, but old Appleyard's warning that every man in Tunstall Forest would rather shoot him than not has clearly gotten under his skin. He is the practical arm of Sir Daniel's power — mustering men, holding the Moat House, teaching Dick the trade of arms — and yet his rough affection for Dick complicates his service. When the arrows start flying, Hatch is the first to show what loyalty costs in this country.

## Relationships

### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton)

_professional_

Bennet Hatch is Sir Daniel's retainer who initially serves as Dick's superior but later becomes a conflicted ally.

### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton)

_professional_

Bennet Hatch is Sir Daniel's retainer who initially serves as Dick's superior but later becomes a conflicted ally.

### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton)

_professional_

Bennet Hatch is Sir Daniel's retainer who initially serves as Dick's superior but later becomes a conflicted ally.

## In the story

### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/prologue)

Sir Daniel's right-hand man, he leads the recruitment effort and expresses concern about local resentment and the black arrow threat.

### [Book I: The Two Lads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-i-the-two-lads)

Sir Daniel's loyal retainer, who gives Dick orders and later questions him about his father.

### [The Hooded Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vii-the-hooded-face)

Mentioned as having ten fellows; present at Tunstall Moat House to receive Dick and Matcham.

### [Book II: The Moat House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-ii-the-moat-house)

Sir Daniel's man, present at the Moat House and involved in the household's affairs.

### [Dick Asks Questions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-dick-asks-questions)

Hatch warns Dick to be careful, expresses grief over Selden's death, and refuses to discuss Dick's father's end.

### [The Room Over the Chapel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-room-over-the-chapel)

Assists Sir Daniel in the watch and the pursuit.

### [The Passage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-passage)

Confronts Dick in the passage but secretly advises him on how to escape, showing lingering loyalty despite serving Sir Daniel.

### [VII: Dick’s Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vii-dick-s-revenge)

Mentioned as dead; Dick notes he would have spared a better man.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/bennet_hatch
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters