# Delia Killigrew — The Splendid Spur character guide

> Delia Killigrew in The Splendid Spur by Arthur Quiller-Couch.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Delia, Mistress Delia, Mistress Killigrew, Mistress Delia Killigrew

**First appearance:** 0002-i-the-bowling-green-of-the-crown

## Snapshot

A chestnut-haired Killigrew heiress carried off by villains and worth every mile Jack rides to get her back from the sea.

## Who they are

Delia Killigrew is the mistress of Gleys, a royalist lady whose beauty and name make her a prize in more than one schemer's game. When she is snatched aboard a sloop by Settle and his knaves, Jack's private errand becomes a rescue. She is no passive captive—her composure among strangers and her instinct for villainy steady the men around her, and her claim on her father's house drives the middle of the book.

## In the story

### [The Young Man in the Cloak of Amber Satin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/ii-the-young-man-in-the-cloak-of-amber-satin)

Anthony's sister, whom he hopes to meet on the journey to Cornwall.

### [My Adventure at the Three Cups](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/v-my-adventure-at-the-three-cups)

The young gentlewoman from Hungerford; singing at the inn, present in the foreign guests' room.

### [VI: The Flight in the Pine Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/vi-the-flight-in-the-pine-wood)

Sir Deakin's daughter; assists in the escape; binds the narrator's wound; keeps watch at dawn; discovers her father's death.

### [I Find a Comrade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/vii-i-find-a-comrade)

Grieves for her father and brother Anthony; nurses Jack; proposes they travel together as comrades.

### [VIII: I Lose the King’s Letter; and Am Carried to Bristol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/viii-i-lose-the-king-s-letter-and-am-carried-to-bristol)

Travels with Jack; faints from hunger and weariness; captured and imprisoned with Jack.

### [I Break Out of Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/ix-i-break-out-of-prison)

Helps Jack escape from Mistress Finch's house, guiding him through the streets to the river.

### [Captain Pottery and Captain Settle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/x-captain-pottery-and-captain-settle)

Companion to Jack; helps in the escape; avoids Jack's romantic advances; sings cheerfully after disembarking.

### [I Ride Down Into Temple: And Am Well Treated There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/xi-i-ride-down-into-temple-and-am-well-treated-there)

Mentioned; Jack recalls her last word 'Ride!' during his flight.

### [XIV: I Do No Good in the House of Gleys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/xiv-i-do-no-good-in-the-house-of-gleys)

Mentioned as the subject of Jack's search and Tingcomb's crimes.

### [XVII: I Meet with a Happy Adventure by Burning of a Green Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/xvii-i-meet-with-a-happy-adventure-by-burning-of-a-green-light)

Rescued from captors by Jack and Billy; joyfully reunited with Jack.

### [XVIII: Joan Does Me Her Last Service](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/xviii-joan-does-me-her-last-service)

Rides with Jack to see justice done; recounts her capture and imprisonment; present at Joan's death.

### [The Adventure of the Hearse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/xix-the-adventure-of-the-hearse)

Accompanies Jack after Joan's burial; speaks of her disappointment and jealousy, and returns to Gleys.

### [XX: The Adventure of the Ledge; and How I Shook Hands with My Comrade](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/chapters/xx-the-adventure-of-the-ledge-and-how-i-shook-hands-with-my-comrade)

Escapes the fire, plans to sail to Brittany, confesses love to Jack and gives him her ring.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/characters/delia_killigrew
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_splendid_spur_se/characters