# Clement Chapman — The Well at the World’s End character guide > Clement Chapman in The Well at the World’s End by William Morris. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Master Clement, Clement, the Chapman **First appearance:** 0043-xviii-ralph-departeth-from-whitwall-with-the-fellowship-of-clement-chapman ## Snapshot A merchant captain whose fellowship and steady judgment give Ralph shelter, news, and a shrewd eye for the men who come offering guidance. ## Who they are Clement runs his company with the calm of a man who has weighed a thousand strangers and knows a false coin when he sees one. He laughs at Ralph's eagerness, questions Morfinn's let-pass, and still lets the young knight choose his own road. In a story full of liars and zealots, he is the rare voice of measured, worldly sense. ## Relationships ### [Ralph of Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ralph_of_upmeads) _friendship_ Clement Chapman is a loyal and practical friend to Ralph, acting as a wise merchant and guide during their travels. ### [Dame Katherine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/dame_katherine) _social_ Clement Chapman and Dame Katherine are acquaintances who share concern for Ralph's welfare during his travels. ### [Ralph of Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ralph_of_upmeads) _friendship_ Clement Chapman is a loyal and practical friend to Ralph, acting as a wise merchant and guide during their travels. ### [Ralph of Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ralph_of_upmeads) _friendship_ Clement Chapman is a loyal and practical friend to Ralph, acting as a wise merchant and guide during their travels. ### [Dame Katherine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/dame_katherine) _social_ Clement Chapman and Dame Katherine are acquaintances who share concern for Ralph's welfare during his travels. ### [Dame Katherine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/dame_katherine) _social_ Clement Chapman and Dame Katherine are acquaintances who share concern for Ralph's welfare during his travels. ## In the story ### [Ralph Cometh to the Cheaping-Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/iii-ralph-cometh-to-the-cheaping-town) A merchant in Wulstead who hosts Ralph, advises him to seek service with the Abbot of Higham, and shares knowledge of the lands beyond. ### [XII: Ralph Falleth in with Friends and Rideth to Whitwall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xii-ralph-falleth-in-with-friends-and-rideth-to-whitwall) Mentioned by Ralph as having staked gold on his luck, providing him with funds for his journey. ### [XIV: Ralph Falleth in with Another Old Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xiv-ralph-falleth-in-with-another-old-friend) Clement meets Ralph in Blaise's booth, delivers a kiss from Dame Katherine, shares news of home, and invites Ralph to join him on a journey eastward. ### [XVI: Of the Tales of Swevenham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xvi-of-the-tales-of-swevenham) Clement is mentioned as having spoken of the Dry Tree and as the guide who will take Ralph to Goldburg. ### [XVII: Richard Bringeth Tidings of Departing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xvii-richard-bringeth-tidings-of-departing) Arrives early with his company, ready to depart at noon; complicit in the lie about Ralph's destination. ### [XVIII: Ralph Departeth from Whitwall with the Fellowship of Clement Chapman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xviii-ralph-departeth-from-whitwall-with-the-fellowship-of-clement-chapman) Leads the company, armed and ready, joking about the perils of the road. ### [XIX: Master Clement Tells Ralph Concerning the Lands Whereunto They Were Riding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xix-master-clement-tells-ralph-concerning-the-lands-whereunto-they-were-riding) Tells Ralph about the dangers and customs of the lands beyond Whitwall, and outlines the route to Cheaping Knowe. ### [XX: They Come to the Mid-Mountain Guesthouse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xx-they-come-to-the-mid-mountain-guesthouse) Clement leads the company, warns Ralph of the danger of waylayers, and questions the warden about the thieves. ### [A Battle in the Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxi-a-battle-in-the-mountains) Leads the fellowship, counsels immediate attack, fights with a great axe, and later mocks Ralph for feeding his new thrall. ### [Of the Town of Cheaping Knowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxiii-of-the-town-of-cheaping-knowe) Leads the chapmen; advises Ralph on consulting the thrall-merchant and on disguising Bull; obtains the lord's safe-conduct for Ralph. ### [XXIV: Ralph Heareth More Tidings of the Damsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxiv-ralph-heareth-more-tidings-of-the-damsel) Leads Ralph to the thrall merchant and later warns him about the Lord of Utterbol. ### [XXV: The Fellowship Comes to Whiteness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxv-the-fellowship-comes-to-whiteness) Clement explains to Ralph that the workers in the land are bought and sold like cattle, and reassures him that the damsel is likely kept for great men's houses. ### [XXVI: They Ride the Mountains Toward Goldburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxvi-they-ride-the-mountains-toward-goldburg) Clement advises the company, restrains Ralph when he attacks Bull, and suggests they camp for the night to seek counsel. ### [XXVII: Clement Tells of Goldburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxvii-clement-tells-of-goldburg) Tells Ralph about Goldburg's history, its builder, and the plight of its poor. ### [XXVIII: Now They Come to Goldburg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxviii-now-they-come-to-goldburg) Clement explains to Ralph the social conditions of Goldburg, including the practice of slavery. ### [Of Goldburg and the Queen Thereof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxix-of-goldburg-and-the-queen-thereof) Clement advises Ralph to return to Upmeads and offers his support, but respects Ralph's decision to continue his quest; he arranges for Ralph to meet the Queen. ### [Ralph Hath Hope of Tidings Concerning the Well at the World’s End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxx-ralph-hath-hope-of-tidings-concerning-the-well-at-the-world-s-end) Reluctantly supports Ralph's decision, offers men-at-arms, and expresses concern about the perilous journey. ### [The Beginning of the Road to Utterbol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxxi-the-beginning-of-the-road-to-utterbol) Accompanies Ralph to the Gate of Goldburg and bids him farewell with a hopeful prophecy. ### [XXII: An Old Acquaintance Comes from the Down Country to See Ralph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxii-an-old-acquaintance-comes-from-the-down-country-to-see-ralph) Clement is mentioned as a friend Ralph plans to meet in Wulstead. ### [XXVI: Ralph Sees His Father and Mother Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxvi-ralph-sees-his-father-and-mother-again) Greets Ralph in Wulstead and directs him to the House of St. Austin. ### [XXVII: Ralph Holds Converse with Katherine His Gossip](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxvii-ralph-holds-converse-with-katherine-his-gossip) Clement hosts Ralph and provides news from Upmeads; he accompanies Ralph to inspect the troops and later observes the reunion with Katherine. ### [XXVIII: Dame Katherine Tells of the Pair of Beads, and Whence She Had Them](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxviii-dame-katherine-tells-of-the-pair-of-beads-and-whence-she-had-them) Listens to Katherine's tale and reassures her that she has been a good wife. ### [XXIX: They Go Down to Battle in Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxix-they-go-down-to-battle-in-upmeads) Helps array the men and speaks to the enemy messenger; stands with Ralph. ### [Yet a Few Words Concerning Ralph of Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxxii-yet-a-few-words-concerning-ralph-of-upmeads) Clement journeys with Ralph and Ursula to Utterbol and visits the High House often with Katherine. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/clement_chapman - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters