The Black Arrow · Character

Matcham

A pale, sharp-tongued boy who rides Dick's horse and needles him about marriage, never quite letting his guard down.

major

Also known as Master Matcham, Jack, Jack Matcham, good Jack, poor Jack Matcham, Jack ashore, Sir John Matcham, John Matcham

First appearance: Book I: The Two Lads

As a major figure in The Black Arrow, Matcham is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A young boy entrusted to Dick's care, later revealed to be Joanna Sedley in disguise.

In the storyBook I: The Two LadsOpen this moment free

See Matcham in Book I: The Two Lads Book page

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Matcham is the name Joanna Sedley wears when she flees Sir Daniel's household, and as Jack Matcham she teases Dick about his impending wedding to a girl neither of them has met. Her fear of capture is real, but so is her pleasure in Dick's company, and the friendship they build on the road is charged with everything she cannot say. When the disguise finally falls away, it is the trust earned as Matcham that makes the revelation land.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Matcham sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Matcham in Book I: The Two Lads

Character Web

24 connections

A slice of how Matcham sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Sir Daniel's Opponents & Allies
Protagonist
Minor Characters & Victims

+19 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the peak of Dick’s psychological tension and decisive act…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Dick Shelton
friendship · positive
Dick protects and travels with Matcham, who is actually Joanna in disguise, forming a… How this plays out →
Hugh Ferryman
friendship · positive
Sir Daniel Brackley
rivalry · negative
Dick Shelton
friendship · positive
Dick protects and travels with Matcham, who is actually Joanna in disguise, forming a… How this plays out →
Dick Shelton
friendship · positive
Dick protects and travels with Matcham, who is actually Joanna in disguise, forming a… How this plays out →
Sir Daniel Brackley
rivalry · negative
Hugh Ferryman
friendship · positive
Hugh Ferryman
friendship · positive
Sir Daniel Brackley
rivalry · negative

Dick Shelton
Dick protects and travels with Matcham, who is actually Joanna in disguise, forming a close bond of trust and companionship.
Hugh Ferryman
Hugh Ferryman helps Matcham (Joanna) escape, showing kindness without knowing her true identity.
Sir Daniel Brackley
Sir Daniel seeks to control Matcham (Joanna) for his own political gain, making him her enemy.
Dick Shelton
Dick protects and travels with Matcham, who is actually Joanna in disguise, forming a close bond of trust and companionship.
Dick Shelton
Dick protects and travels with Matcham, who is actually Joanna in disguise, forming a close bond of trust and companionship.
Sir Daniel Brackley
Sir Daniel seeks to control Matcham (Joanna) for his own political gain, making him her enemy.
Hugh Ferryman
Hugh Ferryman helps Matcham (Joanna) escape, showing kindness without knowing her true identity.
Hugh Ferryman
Hugh Ferryman helps Matcham (Joanna) escape, showing kindness without knowing her true identity.
Sir Daniel Brackley
Sir Daniel seeks to control Matcham (Joanna) for his own political gain, making him her enemy.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Matcham in Book I: The Two Lads

In the story

Matcham appears across 9 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Book I: The Two Lads
A young boy entrusted to Dick's care, later revealed to be Joanna Sedley in disguise.
II: In the Fen
Lost in the fen after losing his horse; seeks sanctuary at Holywood; reveals he is fleeing Sir Daniel's oppression and forced marriage.
The Fen Ferry
Reveals ability to swim, saves Dick from drowning, and is teased for looking like a maid.
A Greenwood Company
Accompanies Dick, shows curiosity and caution, and climbs into the ruins to spy on the outlaws.
Bloody as the Hunter
Tries to prevent Dick from helping Sir Daniel's men, reveals Sir Daniel's possible murder of Dick's father, insists on following Dick.
To the Day's End
Limping and weary, rebukes Dick for killing the forester, provokes a quarrel, but later offers his hand in reconciliation.
The Hooded Face
Travels with Dick, faints when captured by the leper (Sir Daniel), and later expresses deep foreboding about Sir Daniel's character and their future.
Dick Asks Questions
Matcham has disappeared since arriving at the Moat House; Dick wonders about his whereabouts and safety.
The Room Over the Chapel
Alias used by Joanna Sedley; warns Dick of the plot against his life.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Matcham unlock in the free preview.

See Matcham in Book I: The Two Lads