# Matcham — The Black Arrow character guide > Matcham in The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Master Matcham, Jack, Jack Matcham, good Jack, poor Jack Matcham, Jack ashore, Sir John Matcham, John Matcham **First appearance:** 0001-book-i-the-two-lads ## Snapshot A pale, sharp-tongued boy who rides Dick's horse and needles him about marriage, never quite letting his guard down. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton) _friendship_ Dick protects and travels with Matcham, who is actually Joanna in disguise, forming a close bond of trust and companionship. ### [Hugh Ferryman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/hugh_ferryman) _friendship_ Hugh Ferryman helps Matcham (Joanna) escape, showing kindness without knowing her true identity. ### [Sir Daniel Brackley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/sir_daniel_brackley) _rivalry_ Sir Daniel seeks to control Matcham (Joanna) for his own political gain, making him her enemy. ### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton) _friendship_ Dick protects and travels with Matcham, who is actually Joanna in disguise, forming a close bond of trust and companionship. ### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton) _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_ Sir Daniel seeks to control Matcham (Joanna) for his own political gain, making him her enemy. ### [Hugh Ferryman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/hugh_ferryman) _friendship_ Hugh Ferryman helps Matcham (Joanna) escape, showing kindness without knowing her true identity. ### [Hugh Ferryman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/hugh_ferryman) _friendship_ Hugh Ferryman helps Matcham (Joanna) escape, showing kindness without knowing her true identity. ### [Sir Daniel Brackley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/sir_daniel_brackley) _rivalry_ Sir Daniel seeks to control Matcham (Joanna) for his own political gain, making him her enemy. ## In the story ### [Book I: The Two Lads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-fen-ferry) Reveals ability to swim, saves Dick from drowning, and is teased for looking like a maid. ### [A Greenwood Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-a-greenwood-company) Accompanies Dick, shows curiosity and caution, and climbs into the ruins to spy on the outlaws. ### [Bloody as the Hunter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-dick-asks-questions) Matcham has disappeared since arriving at the Moat House; Dick wonders about his whereabouts and safety. ### [The Room Over the Chapel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-room-over-the-chapel) Alias used by Joanna Sedley; warns Dick of the plot against his life. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/matcham - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters