# Joanna Sedley — The Black Arrow character guide > Joanna Sedley in The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** One Joan Sedley, Joanna, this Joanna, Joanna Sedley, Joan, Mistresse Joan Sedley, Joan Sedley, Joan The **First appearance:** 0001-book-i-the-two-lads ## Snapshot An heiress disguised as a boy, she matches Dick insult for insult in the dark and saves his life before he ever learns her name. ## Who they are Joanna Sedley travels as the boy Matcham, hiding from a forced marriage to a man she has never met — who turns out to be the very companion beside her. In the dark of Dick's chamber she confesses her identity and her love in the same breath, brave and quick-tongued even as Sir Daniel's men hammer at the door. Her disguise is both armor and cage, and the tension between what she is and what she must pretend to be drives the middle of the book. ## Relationships ### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton) _romantic_ Dick falls in love with Joanna after learning her true identity, and they become betrothed. ### [Sir Daniel Brackley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/sir_daniel_brackley) _rivalry_ Sir Daniel holds Joanna captive to force her into a marriage, making him her antagonist. ### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton) _romantic_ Dick falls in love with Joanna after learning her true identity, and they become betrothed. ### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton) _romantic_ Dick falls in love with Joanna after learning her true identity, and they become betrothed. ### [Sir Daniel Brackley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/sir_daniel_brackley) _rivalry_ Sir Daniel holds Joanna captive to force her into a marriage, making him her antagonist. ### [Sir Daniel Brackley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/sir_daniel_brackley) _rivalry_ Sir Daniel holds Joanna captive to force her into a marriage, making him her antagonist. ## In the story ### [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) Disguised as Master John, asks Dick for directions to Holywood, then escapes from the inn; Sir Daniel orders her capture. ### [II: In the Fen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-in-the-fen) Mentioned as the intended bride for Dick in a match arranged by Sir Daniel; said to be bemoaning the match. ### [The Room Over the Chapel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-room-over-the-chapel) Revealed to be Matcham; confesses her love for Dick and helps him flee. ### [The Passage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-passage) Disguised as a boy named Jack, reveals her identity as a wealthy orphan and her affection for Dick, explaining her history with Sir Daniel and Lord Foxham. ### [How Dick Changed Sides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-how-dick-changed-sides) Mentioned in Dick's letter as the woman he is bound to wed. ### [The House by the Shore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-the-house-by-the-shore) Seen by Dick through a window in the house by the shore, dressed in a long embroidered dress. ### [St. Bride's Cross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-st-bride-s-cross) Mentioned as the ward of Lord Foxham, promised to Sir John Hamley but also sought by Sir Daniel for Lord Shoreby. ### [Book IV: The Disguise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-iv-the-disguise) Held captive by Sir Daniel, she is rescued by Dick in this chapter. ### [In Mine Enemies' House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-in-mine-enemies-house) Enters the apartment where Dick is hiding, dressed in costly winter attire. ### [The Dead Spy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-dead-spy) Fears her forced marriage to Lord Shoreby; speaks with Dick and encourages his escape plan. ### [In the Abbey Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-in-the-abbey-church) The bride, pale and distressed; pleads with Earl Risingham to spare Dick, claiming she brought him to Sir Daniel's house. ### [The Sack of Shoreby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-sack-of-shoreby) Missing after Sir Daniel's flight; Dick seeks her. ### [V: Night in the Woods: Alicia Risingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-night-in-the-woods-alicia-risingham) Mentioned as the object of Dick's unwavering love and loyalty, despite Alicia's advances. ### [VII: Dick’s Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vii-dick-s-revenge) Dick receives good reports of her on his wedding morning. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/viii-conclusion) Marries Dick Shelton, asserting her desire to be his wife despite Gloucester's offer. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/joanna_sedley - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters