# Justice Anthony Stew — The Maid of Sker character guide

> Justice Anthony Stew in The Maid of Sker by R. D. Blackmore.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Anthony Stew, Stew, Justice Stew, Pen Coed, Squire Stew

**First appearance:** 0001-the-maid-of-sker

## Snapshot

A hatchet-faced local magistrate who has made a study of Davy and never lets an acquittal stand in the way of a sneer.

## Who they are

Squire Stew arrives at Davy's own house with Sir Philip, seated on the best chairs, and reopens the fish-selling and poaching questions Davy thought settled. He distrusts truth unless it comes out to his own corkscrew, and his contempt for the fisherman is personal, studied, and relentless. His presence turns a peaceful errand into a test of Davy's wit and temper, and his feud with the narrator colors every local encounter in the early chapters.

## Relationships

### [Sir Philip Bampfylde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters/sir_philip_bampfylde)

_professional_

Justice Anthony Stew and Sir Philip interact as legal and social authorities in the community.

### [Sir Philip Bampfylde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters/sir_philip_bampfylde)

_professional_

Justice Anthony Stew and Sir Philip interact as legal and social authorities in the community.

### [Sir Philip Bampfylde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters/sir_philip_bampfylde)

_professional_

Justice Anthony Stew and Sir Philip interact as legal and social authorities in the community.

## In the story

### [XXI: Cross-Examination](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxi-cross-examination)

Squire Stew is the aggressive magistrate who interrogates Davy, accusing him of selling bad fish and threatening him with the stocks.

### [Another Disappointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxii-another-disappointment)

Accompanies Sir Philip, questions Davy about the shipwreck, and makes disparaging remarks about Davy's honesty.

### [A Visit to a Parson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxix-a-visit-to-a-parson)

Mentioned as part of the events that arouse Parson Chowne's attention; Davy recounts his visit.

### [Provides for Education](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xliv-provides-for-education)

Magistrate who had issued warrants against Davy; Davy confronts him and gets the warrants quashed.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters/justice_anthony_stew
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters