# Will Lawless — The Black Arrow character guide

> Will Lawless in The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Lawless, Will, old Lawless, dear Lawless, Friend Lawless

**First appearance:** 0002-i-at-the-sign-of-the-sun-in-kettley

## Snapshot

A drunken outlaw with a monk's hood and a rogue's grin, he swears to stand by Dick even as the gallows wait.

## Who they are

Will Lawless is a man who has survived so long by hardship that he can curl up and snore in a cell the night before his hanging. He offers Dick a string to his bow — the outlaw Ellis Duckworth — and pledges to swear for Dick's innocence even when swearing will do no good. His loyalty is the kind that costs nothing to promise and everything to keep, and it anchors Dick to the outlaw band that will shape his fate.

## In the story

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

A cook among the outlaws, sings a song, complains about the lack of ale and bread, and is rebuked by Ellis for his greed.

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

Finds Dick on the road and carries him to Ellis Duckworth.

### [The House by the Shore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-the-house-by-the-shore)

Takes John Capper's watch at Dick's command.

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

Survives the skirmish and is called by Dick.

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

Former shipman who helps steal the Good Hope by getting Captain Arblaster drunk.

### [V: The “Good Hope” (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-the-good-hope-continued)

Steers the Good Hope through the storm, fends off mutineers, and demonstrates seamanship and resolve.

### [VI: The “Good Hope” (Concluded)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vi-the-good-hope-concluded)

Steers the ship through the storm and announces the grounding on a shoal, then broaches a barrel of wine for the crew.

### [The Den](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-the-den)

Disguises himself as a friar; reveals his thieving nature but also his loyalty; produces black arrows and a disguise kit from his chest.

### [In Mine Enemies' House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-in-mine-enemies-house)

Wanders drunkenly through the house, nearly exposing Dick.

### [The Dead Spy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-dead-spy)

Drunk and unsteady, pins the black arrow to the spy's corpse, claiming credit for the Black Arrow fellowship.

### [In the Abbey Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-in-the-abbey-church)

Joins Dick in the church; found with arrows matching those shot by the Black Arrow, leading to his arrest.

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

Imprisoned with Dick; sleeps through the ordeal; spared from hanging due to Dick's plea.

### [Arblaster Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vi-arblaster-again)

Briefly appears with Dick in the lumber yard, wrestles Tom to the ground, and flees when discovered.

### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/viii-conclusion)

Ends his life as a friar under the name Brother Honestus, enjoying a pension.

## Links

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