Arthur the Black Squire

Birdalone

Arthur is deeply in love with Birdalone, acting as her devoted protector and suitor throughout their journey.

Viridis

Arthur and Viridis share a respectful and supportive friendship, often working together for Birdalone's sake.

Habundia

Arthur and Habundia interact as allies, with Habundia providing magical aid that Arthur respects.

Hugh the Green Knight

Arthur and Hugh are romantic rivals for Birdalone's love, creating tension and jealousy between them.

Atra

Arthur and Atra are comrades, working together in service to Birdalone with mutual respect.

The Sergeant

Arthur and the Sergeant have a professional military relationship, coordinating efforts in battle and protection.

Hugh the Green Knight

Arthur and Hugh are romantic rivals for Birdalone's love, creating tension and jealousy between them.

Birdalone

Arthur is deeply in love with Birdalone, acting as her devoted protector and suitor throughout their journey.

The Sergeant

Arthur and the Sergeant have a professional military relationship, coordinating efforts in battle and protection.

Habundia

Arthur and Habundia interact as allies, with Habundia providing magical aid that Arthur respects.

Atra

Arthur and Atra are comrades, working together in service to Birdalone with mutual respect.

Habundia

Arthur and Habundia interact as allies, with Habundia providing magical aid that Arthur respects.

VI: Atra Tells of How They Three Came Unto the Isle of Increase Unsought

Atra's beloved, one of the three champions who were to fight in the trial by combat.

IV: And Now She Meets the Champions

The Black Squire kisses Birdalone's hands and cheeks, showing the deepest tenderness, and leads her toward the castle.

V: Birdalone Has True Tokens from the Champions of the Quest

The Black Squire; moody and downcast, tells of Atra giving him her shoes and receives a ring from Birdalone.

How the Champions Would Do Birdalone to Be Clad Anew in the Castle of the Quest

Insists on delaying departure to procure proper clothing for Birdalone, and gives her a golden girdle.

VII: Of Birdalone, How She Told the Champions All Her Tale

Enforces good cheer but is moody; never touches her; later confesses his pain at leaving her, causing Birdalone joy.

IX: Birdalone Cometh Before the Champions in Her New Array

Weeps after swearing; advises Birdalone to stay within walls and warns of the Red Knight; speaks her name publicly for the first time, causing her joy.

X: The Champions Go Their Ways in the Sending Boat

Advises caution, noting that killing the witch might lose the secret of the prison. He kneels and kisses Birdalone's feet in a silent, emotional farewell.

II: Now Ask They of Birdalone, and Sir Leonard Speaks

Pale and anxious; draws sword on Leonard upon hearing of Birdalone's peril.

III: How They Follow the Slot of Birdalone and the Black Knight

Takes the lead in deciding to follow the sergeant's guidance through the pass, showing determination to find Birdalone.

IV: Of the Slaying of Friend and Foe

Leads the ambush, cuts Birdalone loose, and remains dry-eyed but grief-stricken over Baudoin's death.

They Come Home to the Castle of the Quest

Arthur rides aloof from Birdalone, with a hard and dreary countenance, seemingly contemptuous of the mourning. He speaks of vengeance and urges the company to return to the castle.

VI: Of the Talk Betwixt Birdalone and Viridis

Says nothing of Birdalone; Viridis notes he is jealous and covetous.

VII: Birdalone Telleth the Tale of Her Wandering Up the Valley of the Greywethers

Speaks in Birdalone's defense, absolving her of blame, and proposes a war against the Red Hold to avenge Baudoin.

VIII: Atra and Birdalone Talk Together While the Lords Sit at the Murder-Council

Arthur is with Hugh in the council; his return with Hugh marks the end of the private conversation between Atra and Birdalone.

IX: Hugh Tells the Story of the Quest's Ending

Arthur advises caution and engages the witch with wit and diplomacy.

XI: Birdalone and the Black Squire Talk Together in the Hall of the Castle

Chosen as captain of the host; meets Birdalone in the hall; confesses his love and explains his grim behavior due to jealousy and grief over Baudoin's death.

XIII: Birdalone Bethinks Her to Fulfil the Promise Made Unto Atra

Is wounded in the shoulder during an assault on the Red Hold, but sends word forbidding the ladies to worry.

III: They Come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone Meets with the Poor-Wife

Birdalone secretly longs for him to find her, though he does not appear in this chapter.

VII: Birdalone Cometh to Greenford, and Hears of the Wasting of the Castle of the Quest

Mentioned as having been captain of the Red Hold, then departed alone three and a half years ago; possibly entered religion.

VIII: Birdalone Cometh to the Castle of the Quest, Heareth the Tale Thereof from Leonard, and Departeth Thence by the Sending Boat

Departed earlier to take up toil and peril at Greenford; his whereabouts are unknown to Leonard.

XX: Birdalone Telleth Habundia of Her Love for Arthur, and Getteth from Her Promise of Help Therein

The object of Birdalone's love; praised for his wisdom, grace, and loveliness.

XXII: Birdalone Wendeth the Wildwood in Fellowship with Habundia

Mentioned as the giver of the sapphire ring; Birdalone speaks of him fondly.

XXIII: The Wood-Wife Bringeth Birdalone to the Sight of Arthur in the Wildwood

Arthur is found living wild in the forest, clad in deerskins, playing a harp and lamenting; he mistakes Birdalone for an image and threatens her, but later casts aside his weapon.

XXIV: The Wood-Mother Changeth Her Form to That of a Woman Stricken in Years

Lies sleeping in the cave, sick and being tended by Habundia.

XXV: The Wood-Wife Healeth and Tendeth the Black Squire

Healed from his fever and madness, he becomes calm and hopeful upon learning that Habundia will lead him to the damsel who owns the sapphire ring.

XXVI: The Black Squire Telleth the Wood-Wife of His Doings Since Birdalone Went from the Castle of the Quest

Tells his story of grief, battle, and madness after Birdalone's flight; guided by Habundia to the Oak of Tryst.

XXVII: Sir Arthur Cometh to the House Under the Wood

Arrives at the house under the wood, overjoyed to find his love.

XXVIII: Fair Days in the House of Love

Spends peaceful days with Birdalone; plays along with her game about the witch; vows to protect her.

XXIX: Those Twain Will Seek the Wisdom of the Wood-Wife

Listens to Birdalone's tale, shares his own grief and experiences, and agrees to seek the wood-wife's counsel.

XXX: They Have Speech with Habundia Concerning the Green Knight and His Fellows

Kneels and swears allegiance to Habundia, thanking her for her help; asks for aid in locating the missing companions.

XXXI: Habundia Cometh with Tidings of Those Dear Friends

Shares idyllic time with Birdalone, swears the yearly oath to Habundia, and receives green armor for the coming fight.

XXXII: Of the Fight in the Forest and the Rescue of Those Friends from the Men of the Red Company

Fights alongside Birdalone, rescues Atra, and later frees Sir Hugh.

XXXIII: Viridis Telleth the Tale of Their Seeking

Participates in the rescue and rides with Aurea.

The Seventh Part: The Days of Returning

Part of the returning party.

I: Sir Hugh Asketh Birdalone Where She Would Have the Abode of Their Fellowship to Be

Arthur is referenced as Birdalone's love and Hugh's brother, who will win honour and lordship in Utterhay.

IV: Of the Abiding in Utterhay in Love and Contentment

Arthur is made a war-duke alongside Hugh, leads the town in battle, and visits Habundia with Birdalone.