# Sir Daniel Brackley — The Black Arrow character guide > Sir Daniel Brackley in The Black Arrow by Robert Louis Stevenson. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Sir Daniel, Brackley, Daniel, Sir Daniel goodwill, Daniel Brackley **First appearance:** 0001-book-i-the-two-lads ## Snapshot A smooth-tongued knight who promises generously and delivers only when it profits him, he holds Dick's inheritance, Joanna's future, and every man's loyalty by a thread. ## Who they are Sir Daniel Brackley rules his corner of the Wars of the Roses by shifting allegiances and writing letters full of promises he has no intention of keeping. He needs a messenger sly enough and fast enough to slip past the outlaws in the wood, and his careful weighing of his own men shows a commander who trusts no one. As Dick's guardian and Joanna's would-be husband, he is the knot of obligation and betrayal that the early story pulls tighter with every scene. ## Relationships ### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton) _rivalry_ Dick becomes a sworn enemy of Sir Daniel after discovering his treachery and murder of Dick's father. ### [Joanna Sedley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/joanna_sedley) _rivalry_ Sir Daniel holds Joanna captive to force her into a marriage, making him her antagonist. ### [Lady Brackley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/lady_brackley) _family_ Lady Brackley is Sir Daniel's wife, but their marriage is strained by his ruthless ambitions. ### [Matcham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/matcham) _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) _rivalry_ Dick becomes a sworn enemy of Sir Daniel after discovering his treachery and murder of Dick's father. ### [Dick Shelton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/dick_shelton) _rivalry_ Dick becomes a sworn enemy of Sir Daniel after discovering his treachery and murder of Dick's father. ### [Joanna Sedley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/joanna_sedley) _rivalry_ Sir Daniel holds Joanna captive to force her into a marriage, making him her antagonist. ### [Matcham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/matcham) _rivalry_ Sir Daniel seeks to control Matcham (Joanna) for his own political gain, making him her enemy. ### [Lady Brackley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/lady_brackley) _family_ Lady Brackley is Sir Daniel's wife, but their marriage is strained by his ruthless ambitions. ### [Joanna Sedley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/joanna_sedley) _rivalry_ Sir Daniel holds Joanna captive to force her into a marriage, making him her antagonist. ### [Matcham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/matcham) _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) Dick's guardian and a powerful lord, whose actions are increasingly suspect. ### [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) Extorts tenants in Kettley, threatens Condall, inspects troops, and orders the hunt for the escaped Joanna. ### [II: In the Fen](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-in-the-fen) Mentioned as Matcham's oppressor who took him by force and plans a marriage between Dick and Joanna Sedley. ### [The Hooded Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vii-the-hooded-face) Disguised as a leper to avoid the Black Arrow; reveals his defeat at battle, the loss of his men, and his plan to return to Tunstall; swears vengeance on Ellis Duckworth. ### [Book II: The Moat House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-ii-the-moat-house) Dick's guardian and suspected of treachery regarding Sir Harry Shelton's death. ### [Dick Asks Questions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-dick-asks-questions) Sir Daniel appears in the hall, sends a messenger to Lord Wensleydale, and tries to rally his men after the recent defeat. ### [The Two Oaths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-the-two-oaths) Swears a false oath of innocence regarding Sir Harry Shelton's death, plots to move Dick to the chamber above the chapel, and threatens to kill Dick if he continues to be troublesome. ### [The Room Over the Chapel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-room-over-the-chapel) Leads the search for Joanna and orders the door to be broken down. ### [The Passage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-passage) Referenced as the antagonist who bought Joanna's wardship and marriage rights, and who now seeks Dick's life. ### [How Dick Changed Sides](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-how-dick-changed-sides) Target of Dick's revenge; receives Dick's threatening letter. ### [Book III: My Lord Foxham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-iii-my-lord-foxham) The antagonist, from whom Dick Shelton is fleeing. ### [The House by the Shore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-the-house-by-the-shore) Meets Lord Shoreby on the down and leads him to the house by the shore, where Joanna Sedley is kept. ### [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 possible captor of Joanna; his horsemen are expected to arrive. ### [St. Bride's Cross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-st-bride-s-cross) Mentioned as Dick's guardian and the one who promised Joanna to Lord Shoreby. ### [Book IV: The Disguise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/book-iv-the-disguise) The antagonist who holds Joanna captive and is outwitted by Dick's disguise. ### [The Dead Spy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iii-the-dead-spy) Discovers the body and the black arrow, recognizes the threat, and orders the house secured. ### [In the Abbey Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-in-the-abbey-church) Arrives with the wedding party; accuses Dick of murder and demands his execution. ### [V: Earl Risingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-earl-risingham) Mentioned as a powerful Lancastrian; his treacherous letter to Lord Wensleydale is exposed by Dick. ### [The Shrill Trumpet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/i-the-shrill-trumpet) Sir Daniel Brackley is named as one of the skilled Lancastrian captains opposing Gloucester. ### [The Battle of Shoreby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/ii-the-battle-of-shoreby) Seen ordering Lancastrian troops in the marketplace, leading the attack against Dick's post. ### [The Sack of Shoreby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/iv-the-sack-of-shoreby) Flees Shoreby with Joanna before his house is sacked. ### [V: Night in the Woods: Alicia Risingham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/v-night-in-the-woods-alicia-risingham) Flees through the woods, scattering his men to evade pursuit; his trail is followed by Dick. ### [VII: Dick’s Revenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/chapters/vii-dick-s-revenge) Confronts Dick in the forest, is spared but forbidden from Holywood; is shot by a black arrow and dies in Dick's arms. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters/sir_daniel_brackley - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_black_arrow_se/characters