# Redhead — The Well at the World’s End character guide

> Redhead in The Well at the World’s End by William Morris.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0066-xli-redhead-keeps-tryst

## Snapshot

A blunt, loyal servant who risks his neck to warn Ralph away from Utterbol and steer him toward the Sage.

## Who they are

Redhead knows the tyrannous land and its cruel lord too well to flatter, and he tells Ralph plainly that riding to Utterbol for the captive damsel would doom them both. Yet his loyalty is not mere caution: he offers hard-won knowledge of the Sage in the wildwood as the true road to the Well. His rough honesty gives Ralph the first real test of whether a friend's warning outweighs a knight's vow.

## Relationships

### [Ralph of Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ralph_of_upmeads)

_friendship_

Redhead is a friendly and supportive fellow traveler who accompanies Ralph during parts of his quest.

### [Ralph of Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ralph_of_upmeads)

_friendship_

Redhead is a friendly and supportive fellow traveler who accompanies Ralph during parts of his quest.

### [Ralph of Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ralph_of_upmeads)

_friendship_

Redhead is a friendly and supportive fellow traveler who accompanies Ralph during parts of his quest.

## In the story

### [VII: The Lady Tells of the Strife and Trouble That Befell After Her Coming to the Country of the King's Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/vii-the-lady-tells-of-the-strife-and-trouble-that-befell-after-her-coming-to-the-country-of-the-king-s-son)

The young knight who loved the Lady and helped her escape; he was grievously hurt but survived.

### [How Ralph Justed with the Aliens](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxxvii-how-ralph-justed-with-the-aliens)

Redhead is the first man Ralph unhorses; Ralph later pleads for his pardon, which is granted.

### [A Friend Gives Ralph Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-friend-gives-ralph-warning)

Redhead warns Ralph against going to Utterbol, offers to help him escape through a forest pass, and reveals the Lord's cruel plans for Ralph.

### [XLI: Redhead Keeps Tryst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xli-redhead-keeps-tryst)

Redhead keeps the tryst, providing Ralph with a horse and final warnings, while confessing his own motive for staying with the company.

### [I: An Adventure in the Wood Under the Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/i-an-adventure-in-the-wood-under-the-mountains)

Redhead is mentioned as having been saved by Ralph and later providing information to Agatha. He is described as a true man who loves Ralph, despite being used in the deception.

### [VI: They Ride from Vale Turris. Redhead Tells of Agatha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/vi-they-ride-from-vale-turris-redhead-tells-of-agatha)

Redhead serves as the captain of the escort, recounts his love for Agatha and the story of her survival through feigned sorcery, and admits to killing the Lord of Utterbol's nephew.

### [VII: Of Their Riding the Waste, and of a Battle Thereon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/vii-of-their-riding-the-waste-and-of-a-battle-thereon)

Leads the Utterbol men, speaks of his past encounter with the Black Riders' leader, and expresses admiration for Ursula.

### [VIII: Of Goldburg Again, and the Queen Thereof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/viii-of-goldburg-again-and-the-queen-thereof)

Rides warily with Ralph, arranges for hiring men, and goes to see the King.

### [IX: They Come to Cheaping Knowe Once More. Of the King Thereof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/ix-they-come-to-cheaping-knowe-once-more-of-the-king-thereof)

Departs from Goldburg after advising Ralph to bring a gift to the King of Cheaping Knowe.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/redhead
- 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