# Dick Shelton — The Black Arrow character guide > Dick Shelton in The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Dick, Master Dick, sweet Dick, kind Dick, Shelton, young Shelton, Cautiously Dick, young Master Richard Shelton, Master Richard, Richard, good Master Shelton, Master Shelton, Richard Shelton, Sir Richard Shelton, Sir Richard, Friend Dick, Dick—good Dick **First appearance:** 0001-book-i-the-two-lads ## Snapshot A young man of hasty honor and quick tears, he rides into a forest of black arrows to avenge his father and claim the girl he thought he'd never want. ## Who they are Dick Shelton begins as Sir Daniel Brackley's ward, loyal to a guardian whose treachery he has not yet learned to see. When he weeps over a dead comrade and begs a priest for a dying archer, his raw decency collides with the cold politics of the Wars of the Roses. His early ride through Tunstall Forest, where arrows fly and companions fall, forces him to choose whom to trust — and whom to love — before he even knows the truth about his own name. ## Relationships ### [Matcham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/matcham) _friendship_ Dick protects and travels with Matcham, who is actually Joanna in disguise, forming a close bond of trust and companionship. ### [Sir Daniel Brackley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/sir_daniel_brackley) _rivalry_ Dick becomes a sworn enemy of Sir Daniel after discovering his treachery and murder of Dick's father. ### [Joanna Sedley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/joanna_sedley) _romantic_ Dick falls in love with Joanna after learning her true identity, and they become betrothed. ### [Lady Brackley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/lady_brackley) _family_ Lady Brackley is Dick's guardian and stepmother, though their relationship is strained by her loyalty to Sir Daniel. ### [Bennet Hatch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/bennet_hatch) _professional_ Bennet Hatch is Sir Daniel's retainer who initially serves as Dick's superior but later becomes a conflicted ally. ### [Greensheve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/greensheve) _friendship_ Greensheve is a loyal follower of Dick and a member of the outlaws who supports him faithfully. ### [Hugh Ferryman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/hugh_ferryman) _friendship_ Hugh Ferryman is a boatman who helps Dick and Matcham escape, showing kindness and loyalty. ### [Richard of Gloucester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/richard_of_gloucester) _professional_ Dick serves under the future King Richard III in battle, forming a brief but significant military alliance. ### [Lord Foxham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/lord_foxham) _professional_ Lord Foxham is a noble ally who supports Dick and later becomes his father-in-law. ### [Sir Oliver Oates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/sir_oliver_oates) _rivalry_ Sir Oliver Oates is a corrupt priest and ally of Sir Daniel who conspires against Dick. ### [Gossip Arblaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/gossip_arblaster) _rivalry_ Gossip Arblaster is a superstitious sailor who becomes hostile toward Dick after his ship is stolen. ### [Ellis Duckworth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/ellis_duckworth) _friendship_ Ellis Duckworth is the leader of the outlaws known as the Black Arrow, who becomes Dick's ally in seeking revenge. ## In the story ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/prologue) Young and loyal to Sir Daniel, he accompanies Bennet Hatch to recruit Appleyard and later receives a packet to deliver to Sir Daniel. ### [Book I: The Two Lads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-i-the-two-lads) The protagonist, a young man loyal to Sir Daniel but beginning to suspect foul play in his father's death. ### [At the Sign of the Sun in Kettley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-at-the-sign-of-the-sun-in-kettley) Present at the inn, given a letter by Sir Daniel to deliver to Tunstall, and secretly helps Master John (Joanna) with directions. ### [II: In the Fen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-in-the-fen) Rides through the fen, rescues Matcham, offers his horse and runs alongside, pledges to see him safe to Holywood. ### [The Fen Ferry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-fen-ferry) Shows leadership and bravery, rescues Matcham, and jokes about his appearance. ### [A Greenwood Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-a-greenwood-company) Observes the outlaws from hiding, leads Matcham through the forest, and identifies the ruins of Grimstone. ### [Bloody as the Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-bloody-as-the-hunter) Witnesses Selden's death, argues with Matcham about loyalty and honor, decides to warn Selden's men despite the risk. ### [To the Day's End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vi-to-the-day-s-end) Leads Matcham through the forest, kills a forester in self-defense, struggles with guilt and anger over the killing, and ultimately reconciles with Matcham. ### [The Hooded Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vii-the-hooded-face) Travels with Matcham, initially terrified of the leper, then relieved to discover it is Sir Daniel; learns of Selden's death and Sir Daniel's recent defeat. ### [Book II: The Moat House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-ii-the-moat-house) Returns to Tunstall Moat House and starts investigating his father's death. ### [Dick Asks Questions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-dick-asks-questions) Dick is suspicious and persistent, questioning Hatch and Carter about his father's death, and wary of the mysteries at the Moat House. ### [The Two Oaths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-the-two-oaths) Confronts Sir Daniel and Sir Oliver about his father's death, demands oaths, and becomes increasingly suspicious after observing Sir Oliver's behavior and the watching eye in the tapestry. ### [The Room Over the Chapel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-room-over-the-chapel) Discovers Matcham's true identity as Joanna Sedley; prepares to defend himself and escape. ### [The Passage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-passage) Leads Joanna through the secret passage, shows resourcefulness and bravery, and learns of Joanna's true identity and plight. ### [How Dick Changed Sides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-how-dick-changed-sides) Wounded and rescued by outlaws; joins Ellis Duckworth's cause; sends a threatening letter to Sir Daniel. ### [Book III: My Lord Foxham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-iii-my-lord-foxham) The protagonist, seeking refuge and alliance with Lord Foxham. ### [The House by the Shore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-the-house-by-the-shore) Leads his outlaws in following Sir Daniel to a house by the shore; climbs the garden wall and spies on Joanna Sedley. ### [II: A Skirmish in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-a-skirmish-in-the-dark) Leads the ambush, fights bravely, and accepts the knight's surrender. ### [St. Bride's Cross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-st-bride-s-cross) Arrives at St. Bride's Cross to meet his prisoner, Lord Foxham; recounts his story and asks for Joanna's hand. ### [The 'Good Hope'](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-good-hope) Commands affairs in Shoreby in Duckworth's absence; plans to rescue Joanna by stealing a ship. ### [V: The “Good Hope” (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-the-good-hope-continued) Leads the advance party ashore, attempts to rescue Joanna, and later tries to maintain order on the ship. ### [VI: The “Good Hope” (Concluded)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vi-the-good-hope-concluded) Receives Lord Foxham's trust and the secret orders for Richard of Gloucester; works to build a raft and leads the survivors ashore. ### [Book IV: The Disguise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-iv-the-disguise) Disguises himself as a friar to infiltrate Sir Daniel's camp and rescue Joanna. ### [The Den](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-the-den) Disguises himself as a monk under Lawless's instruction; buries compromising papers, keeping only Sir Daniel's letter to Lord Wensleydale. ### [In Mine Enemies' House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-in-mine-enemies-house) Hides behind arras, evades a spy, and is discovered by a young lady who helps him. ### [The Dead Spy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-dead-spy) Kills the spy Rutter, reads Lord Shoreby's letter, writes a warning, and plans to escape the house disguised as a friar. ### [In the Abbey Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-in-the-abbey-church) Imprisoned in the abbey church after killing Rutter; accused of conspiracy and threatened by Sir Daniel. ### [V: Earl Risingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-earl-risingham) Imprisoned and brought before Earl Risingham; confesses to killing Rutter and produces Sir Daniel's letter; freed by the Earl. ### [Arblaster Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vi-arblaster-again) Captured by Arblaster, bound and beaten, but cleverly spins a tale of hidden treasure to loosen his bonds and escape. ### [The Shrill Trumpet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-the-shrill-trumpet) Dick meets Richard of Gloucester, offers strategic advice, and is mounted behind Gloucester for the advance on Shoreby. ### [The Battle of Shoreby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-the-battle-of-shoreby) Advises Gloucester on strategy, defends the barricade, is knighted by Gloucester after the battle. ### [The Battle of Shoreby (Concluded)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-battle-of-shoreby-concluded) Commands the defense of a street in Shoreby, holding against repeated Lancastrian assaults and leading countercharges despite being wounded. ### [The Sack of Shoreby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-sack-of-shoreby) Leads his men after the battle, seeks Joanna, negotiates with Gloucester, and experiences remorse over Arblaster. ### [V: Night in the Woods: Alicia Risingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-night-in-the-woods-alicia-risingham) Leads the pursuit of Sir Daniel, struggles with guilt over Lord Risingham's death, and resists Alicia's advances while remaining faithful to Joanna. ### [VII: Dick’s Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vii-dick-s-revenge) Spares Sir Daniel's life on his wedding morning, then witnesses his death by Duckworth's arrow; prays for the fallen knight and urges Duckworth to pardon others. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/viii-conclusion) Marries Joanna and lives peacefully with her in the forest. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters