# The Red Lad — The Sundering Flood character guide

> The Red Lad in The Sundering Flood by William Morris.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Red Lad

**First appearance:** 0044-xliv-they-reach-longshaw-and-osberne-gets-him-a-new-name

## Snapshot

The name Osberne takes when he rides out from the Sundering Flood, a lad of the uplands moving disguised among strangers and far countries.

## Who they are

The Red Lad is Osberne's alias in his wanderings, the self he wears when he leaves the river-country and its familiar faces behind. Under that name he travels among merchants, knights, and city-folk, carrying the strength Steelhead gave him and the longing for the maiden across the water. The alias lets the story test who he is when no one knows his home or his name, and what he will do with Boardcleaver when the cause is his own.

## Relationships

### [Osberne Wulfgrimsson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/osberne_wulfgrimsson)

_friendship_

Osberne and the Red Lad are allies and friends, sharing a bond forged through common purpose and battles.

### [Sir Godrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/sir_godrick)

_friendship_

Sir Godrick and the Red Lad are fellow knights and allies, fighting together in common cause.

### [Sir Godrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/sir_godrick)

_friendship_

Sir Godrick and the Red Lad are fellow knights and allies, fighting together in common cause.

### [Osberne Wulfgrimsson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/osberne_wulfgrimsson)

_friendship_

Osberne and the Red Lad are allies and friends, sharing a bond forged through common purpose and battles.

### [Sir Godrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/sir_godrick)

_friendship_

Sir Godrick and the Red Lad are fellow knights and allies, fighting together in common cause.

## In the story

### [XL: Osberne Rides with Sir Godrick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xl-osberne-rides-with-sir-godrick)

Osberne is referred to by this alias; he is praised for his archery and quick action.

### [They Joust with the Knight of the Fish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xli-they-joust-with-the-knight-of-the-fish)

Referred to by Sir Godrick as 'Red Lad'; Osberne is addressed by this alias during the joust.

### [XLIV: They Reach Longshaw and Osberne Gets Him a New Name](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xliv-they-reach-longshaw-and-osberne-gets-him-a-new-name)

Osberne earns this new name as his men cry it in battle.

### [XLV: The Red Lad Scatters the Host of the Barons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xlv-the-red-lad-scatters-the-host-of-the-barons)

Osberne is called the Red Lad; he scatters the Barons' northern host and rides to the main battle.

### [XLVI: Osberne Enters the City of the Sundering Flood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xlvi-osberne-enters-the-city-of-the-sundering-flood)

Osberne is referred to as the Red Lad during the battle; he leads the onfall and is acclaimed by the townsmen.

### [The Battle in the Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xlvii-the-battle-in-the-square)

Advises the council to attack, leads the horsemen in the square, and cries 'The Red Lad for Longshaw!' during the battle.

### [Of the City King and the Outland King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/xlix-of-the-city-king-and-the-outland-king)

Holds high place in Sir Godrick's forces and slays the old City King in battle.

### [LI: Osberne Is Beguiled by Felons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/li-osberne-is-beguiled-by-felons)

Mentioned as the supposed end of the Red Lad by the carle after the ambush.

### [The Meeting of Osberne and Elfhild](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/lii-the-meeting-of-osberne-and-elfhild)

The name by which the felons recognize Osberne in terror before their deaths.

### [A Friend at Need](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/chapters/lxvii-a-friend-at-need)

Osberne invokes this alias to intimidate the pursuers, causing them to flee.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters/the_red_lad
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_sundering_flood_se/characters