# Dame Katherine — The Well at the World’s End character guide > Dame Katherine in The Well at the World’s End by William Morris. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Katherine, the Dame **First appearance:** 0117-xxvii-ralph-holds-converse-with-katherine-his-gossip ## Snapshot Ralph's trusted gossip and confidante at Upmeads, whose parting gift of beads travels with him into the wild. ## Who they are She is the familiar voice of home, the one Ralph turns to for counsel and small comforts before he rides out into unknown lands. Her beads are a token of that bond, carried into perils where no friendly face remains. Though she stays behind, her presence shadows his journey, reminding him what gentleness and plain speech look like. ## Relationships ### [Ralph of Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ralph_of_upmeads) _family_ Dame Katherine is Ralph's loving mother, deeply concerned for his safety and well-being throughout his journey. ### [Clement Chapman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/clement_chapman) _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) _family_ Dame Katherine is Ralph's loving mother, deeply concerned for his safety and well-being throughout his journey. ### [Ralph of Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ralph_of_upmeads) _family_ Dame Katherine is Ralph's loving mother, deeply concerned for his safety and well-being throughout his journey. ### [Clement Chapman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/clement_chapman) _social_ Clement Chapman and Dame Katherine are acquaintances who share concern for Ralph's welfare during his travels. ### [Clement Chapman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/clement_chapman) _social_ Clement Chapman and Dame Katherine are acquaintances who share concern for Ralph's welfare during his travels. ## In the story ### [Book I: The Road Unto Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/book-i-the-road-unto-love) Ralph's mother, who sorrowfully bids him farewell. ### [II: Ralph Goeth Back Home to the High House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/ii-ralph-goeth-back-home-to-the-high-house) Ralph's mother; joyfully welcomes Ralph home, showing her deep love and preference for him. ### [Ralph Goeth His Ways from the Abbey of St. Mary at Higham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/vi-ralph-goeth-his-ways-from-the-abbey-of-st-mary-at-higham) Ralph wears her gift around his neck and refuses to exchange it for the monk's beads, showing his loyalty to her. ### [XI: Ralph Cometh Out of the Wilderness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xi-ralph-cometh-out-of-the-wilderness) Dame Katherine is mentioned as the giver of the chaplet that Ralph still carries, which reminds him of his quest. ### [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) Recalled fondly by Ralph as he remembers her kind face and the glad setting forth from Upmeads. ### [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 delivers a kiss from Dame Katherine and reports that she visited Upmeads and comforted Ralph's mother. ### [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) Dame Katherine gave Ralph the pair of beads he wears, which Richard notes may lead him to the Well. ### [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) Recognizes Ralph's voice, embraces him, and welcomes Ursula as her daughter. ### [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) Katherine is initially shy but then joyfully embraces Ralph; she asks about his journeys and is questioned about the beads. ### [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) Tells the story of how she obtained the beads from the Wise Woman of Sarras and her promise to give them to a man she loves. ### [Ralph Brings His Father and Mother to Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxx-ralph-brings-his-father-and-mother-to-upmeads) Sits pensive at Clement's house, weeps bittersweet tears of joy and sorrow, and promises to visit Upmeads soon. ### [Ralph Brings His Father and Mother to Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxx-ralph-brings-his-father-and-mother-to-upmeads) The Lady of Upmeads, blesses Ralph and rejoices in his return, noting his masterful bearing. ### [Ralph Brings Ursula Home to the High House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxxi-ralph-brings-ursula-home-to-the-high-house) Present at the high-seat, embraces and kisses Ursula, sits beside her during the feast. ### [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) Katherine comes often to the High House, loves and cherishes Ursula, and lives long in health and peace. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/dame_katherine - 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