# Barney Snaith — The Blue Castle character guide > Barney Snaith in The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Barney, Snaith, Bernard Craig, Bernard Redfern, Bernie Redfern, Bernard Snaith Redfern **First appearance:** 0005-vi ## Snapshot Deerwood's notorious island recluse—rumored thief, possible murderer—who agrees to marry a dying woman on the condition that neither ever asks the other for the truth. ## Who they are Barney Snaith lives alone on an island in Mistawis, keeps his mail to himself, and lets the town's worst rumors stand unchallenged. When Valancy proposes marriage, he accepts with cool conditions: no questions, no lies, no pretending—and no pity. His guarded past and his refusal to be explained make him the one person in Deerwood who treats Valancy as a free adult rather than a problem to manage. ## Relationships ### [Valancy Stirling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters/valancy_stirling) _romantic_ Barney and Valancy share a deep, transformative love that blossoms from a marriage of convenience into a passionate and liberating partnership. ### [Uncle James](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters/uncle_james) _rivalry_ Barney and Uncle James are bitter antagonists, with James spreading malicious rumors about Barney's past. ### [Dr. Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters/dr_trent) _friendship_ Barney and Dr. Trent share a respectful friendship, with Trent knowing Barney's true identity and past. ### [Ethel Traverse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters/ethel_traverse) _romantic_ Ethel Traverse is a former romantic interest of Barney's, representing his wild past before meeting Valancy. ### [Valancy Stirling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters/valancy_stirling) _romantic_ Barney and Valancy share a deep, transformative love that blossoms from a marriage of convenience into a passionate and liberating partnership. ### [Valancy Stirling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters/valancy_stirling) _romantic_ Barney and Valancy share a deep, transformative love that blossoms from a marriage of convenience into a passionate and liberating partnership. ### [Dr. Trent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters/dr_trent) _friendship_ Barney and Dr. Trent share a respectful friendship, with Trent knowing Barney's true identity and past. ### [Uncle James](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters/uncle_james) _rivalry_ Barney and Uncle James are bitter antagonists, with James spreading malicious rumors about Barney's past. ### [Ethel Traverse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters/ethel_traverse) _romantic_ Ethel Traverse is a former romantic interest of Barney's, representing his wild past before meeting Valancy. ### [Uncle James](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters/uncle_james) _rivalry_ Barney and Uncle James are bitter antagonists, with James spreading malicious rumors about Barney's past. ### [Ethel Traverse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters/ethel_traverse) _romantic_ Ethel Traverse is a former romantic interest of Barney's, representing his wild past before meeting Valancy. ## In the story ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/vi) Seen by Valancy working on his old Grey Slosson car; whistling happily; she envies his lightheartedness. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xii) Valancy thinks of him as sympathetic and like an old, well-known friend. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xiv) Mentioned as someone who visits Cissy, brings her oranges and flowers, and does chores for her; rumored to be the father of Cissy's baby. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xvii) Mentioned as Abel's companion for shooting and fishing; Valancy knows he is not the one who destroyed Cissy's Blue Castle. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xviii) Barney visits regularly, bringing fruit and flowers for Cissy and candy for Valancy. He shares stories of his adventures and shows a protective, kind nature. ### [The Dance at Chidley Corners](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xx) Rescues Valancy from a drunken assailant at the dance, appearing unshaven and in work clothes. ### [XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxi) Shares a silent, comfortable evening with Valancy, discusses dreams and life, remains calm and humorous during the confrontation. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxii) Barney invites Valancy for a drive to Port Lawrence, showing a teasing and defiant attitude, and shares a meal with her at a Chinese restaurant. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxiii) Cissy mentions Barney fondly in her final moments, though she is interrupted before finishing her thought. ### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxiv) Barney shrouds Cissy in white roses but does not attend the funeral. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxv) Accepts Valancy's proposal, setting conditions of secrecy and no pretense; reveals he has always thought her 'a bit of a dear.' ### [The Wedding Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxvi) Barney arrives in his car Lady Jane, wearing clean overalls and a shaved face, and marries Valancy without fuss. ### [Summer in the Blue Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxviii) Barney is shaved, cheerful, and protective of Valancy, engaging in a cool confrontation with Uncle Benjamin. ### [Life on the Blue Castle Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxix) Affectionately calls Valancy 'Moonlight'; spends time in his locked chamber and takes a two-day trip, but returns eagerly. ### [Life on the Blue Castle Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxx) Barney teaches Valancy about the woods, paddling, and fishing. He nicknames her 'Moonlight' and compliments her beauty, deepening their bond. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxxi) Barney shares winter adventures with Valancy, scoffs at John Foster, and gives her a pearl necklace for Christmas. ### [New Year](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxxii) Enjoys the winter with Valancy, cooks his own breakfast, works in Bluebeard's Chamber, and survives a storm overnight in a lumber shanty. ### [Spring on Mistawis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxxiii) Teases Valancy about her quoting and drives Lady Jane through rough roads, enjoying the spring with her. ### [The Wonder-Moments of Spring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxxiv) Barney tells Valancy about Allan Tierney's request to paint her, and later, during a walk, he calls her 'you nice little thing,' confirming his fondness for her. ### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxxv) Barney risks his life to free Valancy from the switch, then becomes silent and withdrawn, possibly suspecting that he was tricked into a permanent marriage. ### [XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxxvi) Pretends to sleep but is awake; leaves the house early, taking the canoe, and does not return. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxxviii) Barney is absent from the chapter but is the subject of Dr. Redfern's visit; his past as Bernard Redfern and his broken engagement to Ethel Traverse are revealed. ### [XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xxxix) Revealed as John Foster; Valancy addresses her farewell letter to him. ### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xli) Barney is absent but dominates Valancy's thoughts; she recalls his looks, jests, caresses, and wonders what he is doing and feeling. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xlii) Barney arrives urgently to retrieve Valancy, reveals his true identity as Bernard Redfern and John Foster, and shares the painful story of his past to prove his love for her. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xliii) Reveals his father's blundering nature, describes his ideal life with Valancy in Mistawis and travel, and promises to show her the world's beauty. ### [Chapter XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xliv) Revealed as Bernard Redfern, heir to the Redfern fortune, and also claimed to be John Foster; now well-dressed and distinguished. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/chapters/xlv) Barney comforts Valancy, calling her 'Moonlight,' and looks forward to their real honeymoon. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters/barney_snaith - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_blue_castle_se/characters