# Arthur the Black Squire — The Water of the Wondrous Isles character guide > Arthur the Black Squire in The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Arthur the Black Squire, the Black Squire, Arthur, Black Squire, Sir Arthur, this Lord Arthur, Spake Arthur **First appearance:** 0038-iv-and-now-she-meets-the-champions ## Snapshot A knight of measured wisdom and grace, he is the man Birdalone loves — and the one whose absence she crosses lakes and faery woods to end. ## Who they are Arthur is the Black Squire of the Castle of the Quest, the still center among three knights whose temperaments differ sharply. His speech is goodly and well-measured, and it is his wisdom and loveliness that surprise Birdalone into love before she has words for it. His disappearance from the tale — gone into wandering, rumored into religion — turns Birdalone's homecoming into a search, and his name is the thread she follows through the middle of the book. ## Relationships ### [Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/birdalone) _romantic_ Arthur is deeply in love with Birdalone, acting as her devoted protector and suitor throughout their journey. ### [Viridis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/viridis) _friendship_ Arthur and Viridis share a respectful and supportive friendship, often working together for Birdalone's sake. ### [Habundia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/habundia) _friendship_ Arthur and Habundia interact as allies, with Habundia providing magical aid that Arthur respects. ### [Hugh the Green Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/hugh_the_green_knight) _rivalry_ Arthur and Hugh are romantic rivals for Birdalone's love, creating tension and jealousy between them. ### [Atra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/atra) _friendship_ Arthur and Atra are comrades, working together in service to Birdalone with mutual respect. ### [The Sergeant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/the_sergeant) _professional_ Arthur and the Sergeant have a professional military relationship, coordinating efforts in battle and protection. ### [Hugh the Green Knight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/hugh_the_green_knight) _rivalry_ Arthur and Hugh are romantic rivals for Birdalone's love, creating tension and jealousy between them. ### [Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/birdalone) _romantic_ Arthur is deeply in love with Birdalone, acting as her devoted protector and suitor throughout their journey. ### [The Sergeant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/the_sergeant) _professional_ Arthur and the Sergeant have a professional military relationship, coordinating efforts in battle and protection. ### [Habundia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/habundia) _friendship_ Arthur and Habundia interact as allies, with Habundia providing magical aid that Arthur respects. ### [Atra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/atra) _friendship_ Arthur and Atra are comrades, working together in service to Birdalone with mutual respect. ### [Habundia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/habundia) _friendship_ Arthur and Habundia interact as allies, with Habundia providing magical aid that Arthur respects. ## In the story ### [VI: Atra Tells of How They Three Came Unto the Isle of Increase Unsought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/v-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/xxxiii-viridis-telleth-the-tale-of-their-seeking) Participates in the rescue and rides with Aurea. ### [The Seventh Part: The Days of Returning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/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. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/arthur_the_black_squire - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters