# Sir Aymeris — The Water of the Wondrous Isles character guide

> Sir Aymeris in The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir Aymeris, Quoth Sir Aymeris, V Sir Aymeris

**First appearance:** 0050-v-sir-aymeris-showeth-birdalone-the-mountains-afar-off

## Snapshot

A knight of the Castle of the Quest charged with guarding Birdalone, warned to beware the Red Knight and to keep her well accompanied.

## Who they are

Aymeris belongs to the household that shelters Birdalone after her escape from the House under the Wood, and Arthur singles him out for the dangerous duty of her protection. Reivers and rovers lurk within a half-bowshot, and the Red Knight is named as a particular threat, so Aymeris's watchfulness stands between Birdalone and the violence that trails her. His presence in the hall and on the road keeps the early chapters taut with the sense that safety is borrowed, not owned.

## In the story

### [VIII: In the Meanwhile of the Departing of the Champions, They Would Pleasure Birdalone with Feats of Arms and Games of Prowess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/viii-in-the-meanwhile-of-the-departing-of-the-champions-they-would-pleasure-birdalone-with-feats-of-arms-and-games-of-prowess)

The grizzle-haired castellan engages in friendly mockery with Birdalone and kisses her hands before parting.

### [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)

The castellan; swears to guard Birdalone as the apple of his eye and kneels to kiss her hands.

### [The Fourth Part: Of the Days of Abiding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/the-fourth-part-of-the-days-of-abiding)

Sir Aymeris is another champion, known for his strength and valor, who participates in the preparations and conversations at the castle.

### [II: Birdalone Learneth Lore of the Priest. Ten Days of Waiting Wear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/ii-birdalone-learneth-lore-of-the-priest-ten-days-of-waiting-wear)

Sir Aymeris goes forth to chaffer with weaponed men who come to sell beeves at the gate.

### [III: Now Would Birdalone Ride Abroad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/iii-now-would-birdalone-ride-abroad)

Sir Aymeris, the castellan, is devoted to Birdalone's safety, refusing to let her ride unescorted despite her wishes, and is deeply smitten by her.

### [V: Sir Aymeris Showeth Birdalone the Mountains Afar Off](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/v-sir-aymeris-showeth-birdalone-the-mountains-afar-off)

Sir Aymeris, the castellan, accompanies Birdalone on a ride to show her the mountains and warns her of the dangers of the Black Valley of the Greywethers.

### [VI: Birdalone Heareth Tell Tales of the Black Valley of the Greywethers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vi-birdalone-heareth-tell-tales-of-the-black-valley-of-the-greywethers)

Mentioned as having knowledge of the valley; Birdalone recalls his words.

### [VII: Birdalone Beguileth the Priest to Help Her to Outgoing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/vii-birdalone-beguileth-the-priest-to-help-her-to-outgoing)

Accompanies Birdalone on three rides, including to the knoll overlooking the Black Valley.

### [VIII: Birdalone Fares on Her Adventure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/viii-birdalone-fares-on-her-adventure)

Mentioned as the one Leonard fears might punish him; Birdalone asks Leonard to wait three days before telling Sir Aymeris of her departure.

### [I: Of Sir Leonard’s Trouble and the Coming of the Quest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_water_of_the_wondrous_isles_se/chapters/i-of-sir-leonard-s-trouble-and-the-coming-of-the-quest)

The castellan, focused on the returning boat, dismisses Leonard's urgent pleas.

### [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)

Castellan who initially downplays Birdalone's absence, then joins the private council.

### [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)

Ordered by Arthur to arm two score of men and ride toward the Red Hold to beset the ways.

### [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)

Sir Aymeris is grief-stricken over the loss of Sir Baudoin, but he kneels to Birdalone and comforts her, riding beside her on the journey home.

### [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)

Turns heartily to dighting the war against the Red Hold alongside the two knights.

## Links

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- 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