# Martial Barnard — The Dewy Morn character guide > Martial Barnard in The Dewy Morn by Richard Jefferies. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Barnard, Martial, Bernard **First appearance:** 0000-volume-i-i ## Snapshot A proud young farmer who has sworn off romantic folly, he finds his resolutions tested every time Felise Goring crosses his fields. ## Who they are Martial manages his land with the same rigid independence he brings to his emotions, having decided that love is a weakness he has already outgrown. Yet he cannot stop watching Felise through an opera-glass, reasoning about her motives, and congratulating himself on escaping the very feelings that clearly grip him. His suspicion of her — that she is a work of art, all false paint — is the crack through which the story's questions about sincerity, desire, and self-deception enter. ## Relationships ### [Felise Goring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/felise_goring) _romantic_ Felise and Martial share a deeply passionate and intense romantic connection, marked by frequent and emotionally charged interactions. ### [Robert Godwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/robert_godwin) _rivalry_ Martial and Robert are fierce rivals, competing for Felise's affection and clashing over personal and ideological differences. ### [Miller Bond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/miller_bond) _professional_ Martial Barnard and Miller Bond have a professional relationship, likely as employer and employee or business associates. ### [Mary Shaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/mary_shaw) _social_ Martial Barnard and Mary Shaw are acquaintances, with their interactions often mediated by their connections to Felise and Abner. ### [Ruy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/ruy) _friendship_ Martial and Ruy share a friendly bond, often cooperating and showing mutual support. ### [Mr. Goring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/mr_goring) _social_ Martial Barnard and Mr. Goring have a tense social relationship, with Mr. Goring likely disapproving of Martial's involvement with Felise. ### [Abner Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/abner_brown) _rivalry_ Abner Brown and Martial Barnard are enemies, with Abner frequently plotting against Martial. ### [Felise Goring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/felise_goring) _romantic_ Felise and Martial share a deeply passionate and intense romantic connection, marked by frequent and emotionally charged interactions. ### [Robert Godwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/robert_godwin) _rivalry_ Martial and Robert are fierce rivals, competing for Felise's affection and clashing over personal and ideological differences. ### [Robert Godwin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/robert_godwin) _rivalry_ Martial and Robert are fierce rivals, competing for Felise's affection and clashing over personal and ideological differences. ### [Miller Bond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/miller_bond) _professional_ Martial Barnard and Miller Bond have a professional relationship, likely as employer and employee or business associates. ### [Abner Brown](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/abner_brown) _rivalry_ Abner Brown and Martial Barnard are enemies, with Abner frequently plotting against Martial. ## In the story ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-iv) Martial is the beloved object of Felise's devotion; though absent, his image fills her heart and drives her prayer. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-v) Martial rides his horse around the grassy circus, deeply absorbed in thought. He passes Felise twice without seeing her, finally noticing her on the third circuit. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-vi) Barnard is deeply affected by Felise's presence, his heart racing and face flushing, but he struggles to maintain composure and ultimately leaves abruptly, torn between desire and duty. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-vii) Rides away from Felise, returns to the beech tree, completes the carved initial 'M', finds and kisses her handkerchief, and wrestles with his feelings. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-viii) Martial is the object of Felise's desire; she suspects he completed the mark on the beech tree but is uncertain of his feelings. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-ix) Martial is the object of Felise's intense desire; she resolves to bring him into her society continually, to talk with him, sit by him, and make him feel her presence. ### [X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-x) The object of Felise's desire; a farmer of good family but limited means, whom she has met only three times. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xii) Attempts to destroy all reminders of his meeting with Felise; reflects on his past courtship of Rosa Wood, which has faded into weariness and a sense of duty. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xiii) Wracked with guilt and self-contempt over his treatment of Rosa; he breaks off the engagement and becomes obsessed with Felise's image, though he denies loving her. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xiv) Struggles with his attraction to Felise, attempts to destroy reminders of her, and secretly watches her by the pool. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xv) The object of Felise's search; she haunts his fields hoping for an accidental meeting. ### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xvi) Observes Felise from hiding, follows her, and questions her intentions; resolves to avoid romantic folly. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xviii) Mentioned as the seller of Ruy; his financial troubles are implied. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxiii) His financial difficulties are implied by his sale of Ruy; Felise is anxious about him. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-i-xxv) Rosa's former fiancé; he avoids the town, but Rosa watches for him at the window. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-i) Martial is the object of Rosa's affections; Rosa believes he has been captivated by Felise's beauty and poetic ideals. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-ii) Receives Ruy back and struggles with the thought that Rosa might be the benefactor. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-iv) Martial bribes Mary Shaw with silver to learn Felise's daily plans so he can study 'the Picture' (Felise). He is free with his money and not shy, but his motives are more aesthetic than romantic. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xii) Passionately discusses Shakespeare's plays and their ideal performance, then catches himself and shifts to mundane topics; expresses helplessness about the Squire's cruelty. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xiii) Martial tries to maintain emotional distance from Felise, recalling his past romantic 'extravagances,' but is captivated by her beauty, noting her shoulder, knee, and hand. He discusses his disillusionment with farming and the social system. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xiv) Rides Ruy; is watched by Godwin; unaware of Godwin's feelings or Felise's secret purchase. ### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xv) Receives Felise's love with indifference; agrees to assist Godwin with statistics and meets Felise at Beechknoll. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xvi) Martial reclines at Felise's knee, worshipping her beauty but internally acknowledging that he does not love her. ### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xvii) Stays away from Felise out of financial shame and a resolve to retain his freedom, but is drawn back by his worship of beauty. ### [Miller Bond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xviii) Rescues Mary from the pool but becomes trapped with her; tries to direct the miller and his man to get a rope or floating object to escape. ### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xix) Rescues Mary Shaw from the well, nearly drowning; experiences a vision of Felise and a sunset cloud that renews his strength. ### [XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xx) Returns from shooting, walks with Felise, and has confessed his past love for Rosa, causing Felise pain. ### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxii) On the platform at the meeting; Felise is anxious for his safety. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxiii) Pressed to second a resolution praising the Cornleighs; speaks reluctantly amid heckling. ### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxiv) Delivers a passionate, ruinous speech against landlords and the Church, revealing his own financial collapse. ### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxv) Arrives in time to shoot Ruy, rescues Felise, and declares his love for her. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxvi) Realizes his love for Felise during the crisis; rejects Cornleigh's offer to keep the farm. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxvii) Defends himself against Godwin's accusations, protects Felise, and refuses Rosa's offer of money to stay at the old farm, preferring to work with his hands. ### [XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxix) Refuses Rosa Wood's offer and Cornleigh's reconciliation; receives a job offer from London friends and marries Felise. ### [The Dawn of Fulfillment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/chapters/volume-ii-xxx) Sleeps while Felise watches the dawn; his presence is the source of her happiness. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters/martial_barnard - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_dewy_morn_se/characters