# Gerard of the Clee — The Water of the Wondrous Isles character guide

> Gerard of the Clee in The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Gerard of the Clee, old Gerard, Gerard, good Gerard

**First appearance:** 0079-ii-of-birdalone-and-her-fellowship-their-faring-over-the-downland

## Snapshot

A ruined old shepherd of the Clee, homeless after the Red Hold burned him out, who guides Birdalone toward the City of the Five Crafts.

## Who they are

Gerard rides the byways with his two grown sons, Robert and Giles, having lost house, gear, and bestial to the Red Hold a month before. He offers Birdalone not just escort but a plan: over the roadless downland, past Upham, to a walled city where a woman of crafts might earn her bread. His frank, practical kindness and his willingness to uproot what remains of his family for her sake give Birdalone her first taste of trustworthy fellowship on the road.

## Relationships

### [Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/birdalone)

_professional_

Gerard is a skilled craftsman and helper who assists Birdalone with practical tasks and guidance.

### [Birdalone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/birdalone)

_professional_

Gerard is a skilled craftsman and helper who assists Birdalone with practical tasks and guidance.

## In the story

### [I: Birdalone Rides to Greenford and There Takes Leave of Arnold and His Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/i-birdalone-rides-to-greenford-and-there-takes-leave-of-arnold-and-his-men)

Gerard, an old but wayworthy man, is hired by Birdalone along with his two sons. He offers to guide her over the downland to the City of the Five Crafts, and shares his story of losing his home to the Red Hold.

### [II: Of Birdalone and Her Fellowship, Their Faring Over the Downland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/ii-of-birdalone-and-her-fellowship-their-faring-over-the-downland)

Swears himself Birdalone's man, converses with shepherd-folk, and has some inkling of the House under the Wood and the Great Water.

### [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)

Guides Birdalone to the city and helps her find the embroiderers' guild and market.

### [V: Of the Death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone. She Is Warned in a Dream to Seek the Black Squire, and Is Minded to Depart the City of the Five Crafts, and Seek Again the Castle of the Quest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/v-of-the-death-of-audrey-mother-to-birdalone-she-is-warned-in-a-dream-to-seek-the-black-squire-and-is-minded-to-depart-the-city-of-the-five-crafts-and-seek-again-the-castle-of-the-quest)

Remains faithful to Birdalone; helps her arrange the departure and plans to return to Utterhay.

### [VI: Of the Sundering of Birdalone from Gerard and His Sons](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vi-of-the-sundering-of-birdalone-from-gerard-and-his-sons)

Accepts the parting without grudge, asking only that Birdalone kiss his burial stone and sing masses for him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/characters/gerard_of_the_clee
- 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