# Ellis Duckworth — The Black Arrow character guide

> Ellis Duckworth in The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Duckworth, Ellis, Master Ellis

**First appearance:** 0005-iv-a-greenwood-company

## Snapshot

The outlaw captain whose Black Arrow fellowship hunts Sir Daniel for old wrongs, and whose fierce vengeance is finally broken by a prayer and a pardon.

## Who they are

Ellis Duckworth commands the outlaw band that turns the greenwood into a hunting ground for Sir Daniel Brackley, and he draws young Dick Shelton into that feud. His pursuit of revenge has curdled into something like a sickness of the soul, so that when his enemy lies dead at last he prays in great disorder and confesses the devil is still strong within him. He matters because his fellowship gives Dick both a refuge and a moral education in what vengeance costs.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

Ellis Duckworth is the leader of the outlaws known as the Black Arrow, who becomes Dick's ally in seeking revenge.

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

_friendship_

Ellis Duckworth is the leader of the outlaws known as the Black Arrow, who becomes Dick's ally in seeking revenge.

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

_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

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

The leader of the Black Arrow fellowship, an outlaw seeking revenge against Sir Daniel.

### [A Greenwood Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-a-greenwood-company)

Leads the outlaw band, speaks of vengeance against Sir Daniel, and oversees the distribution of ale and food.

### [Bloody as the Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-bloody-as-the-hunter)

Commands the Black Arrow men, orders them not to shoot Dick, identifies him as Harry Shelton's son.

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

Mentioned as the leader of the Black Arrow; Sir Daniel swears vengeance on him for the ambush of Selden's troop.

### [The Two Oaths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-the-two-oaths)

Implied as the sender of the black arrow, which bears the word 'Earthed' and strikes the hall table, signaling the Black Arrow fellowship's presence.

### [How Dick Changed Sides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-how-dick-changed-sides)

Leads the outlaws; tends to Dick's wounds; vows to avenge Dick's father and protect Joanna.

### [Book III: My Lord Foxham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-iii-my-lord-foxham)

Leader of the Black Arrow fellowship, referenced in the context of the conflict.

### [II: A Skirmish in the Dark](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-a-skirmish-in-the-dark)

Mentioned as the leader who gathered the outlaws.

### [The 'Good Hope'](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-good-hope)

Absent from Shoreby; founder of the Black Arrow fellowship, thought to be an agent of the Earl of Warwick.

### [Book IV: The Disguise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-iv-the-disguise)

Leader of the Black Arrow fellowship, aids Dick in the rescue mission.

### [V: Earl Risingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-earl-risingham)

Mentioned by Lawless as a man who would help Dick if he knew of his predicament.

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

Shoots Sir Daniel with a black arrow; moved by Dick's mercy, he renounces revenge and dissolves the Black Arrow fellowship.

## Links

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