# Richard the Red — The Well at the World’s End character guide > Richard the Red in The Well at the World’s End by William Morris. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Richard, Swevenham, Master Richard, Old Richard **First appearance:** 0000-book-i-the-road-unto-love ## Snapshot A seasoned man of Swevenham who has buried old companions and now lends Ralph his age, his knife, and his hard-won knowledge of the road. ## Who they are Richard carries the memory of Swevenham's dead seekers and the weight of a life spent near the Well's rumor without ever drinking. He is practical, wry, and unshockable, whether he is trading tales with a carline or wrapping a fallen wild-man in Ralph's scarlet cloak. His loyalty gives Ralph something the young knight lacks: a witness who has already seen how these quests end. ## Relationships ### [Ralph of Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ralph_of_upmeads) _friendship_ Richard the Red is a steadfast companion and fellow knight to Ralph, sharing adventures and mutual respect. ### [Ursula](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ursula) _friendship_ Richard the Red is a loyal friend to Ursula, protecting her and supporting her alongside Ralph. ### [Ralph of Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ralph_of_upmeads) _friendship_ Richard the Red is a steadfast companion and fellow knight to Ralph, sharing adventures and mutual respect. ### [Ralph of Upmeads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ralph_of_upmeads) _friendship_ Richard the Red is a steadfast companion and fellow knight to Ralph, sharing adventures and mutual respect. ### [Ursula](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ursula) _friendship_ Richard the Red is a loyal friend to Ursula, protecting her and supporting her alongside Ralph. ### [Ursula](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/ursula) _friendship_ Richard the Red is a loyal friend to Ursula, protecting her and supporting her alongside Ralph. ## In the story ### [The Sundering of the Ways](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/i-the-sundering-of-the-ways) The squire assigned to Blaise, described as somewhat stricken in years, wise, fierce, and doughty in arms. ### [VII: The Maiden of Bourton Abbas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/vii-the-maiden-of-bourton-abbas) Referenced as the master and friend under whose guard the tavern sign of the Nicholas is placed. ### [XIV: What Ralph Heard of the Matters of the Burg of the Four Friths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xiv-what-ralph-heard-of-the-matters-of-the-burg-of-the-four-friths) Not present in this chapter. ### [How Ralph Departed from the Burg of the Four Friths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xv-how-ralph-departed-from-the-burg-of-the-four-friths) Mentioned among the men called out from the grange during the skirmish. ### [An Adventure in the Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxii-an-adventure-in-the-wood) Not present in this chapter. ### [XXIV: Supper and Slumber in the Woodland Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxiv-supper-and-slumber-in-the-woodland-hall) Referred to as the Knight of the Sun; he is moody, conflicted, and warns Ralph to depart before it is too late. ### [Book II: The Road Unto Trouble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/book-ii-the-road-unto-trouble) A companion or guide who appears in the early part of the journey. ### [I: Ralph Meets with Love in the Wilderness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/i-ralph-meets-with-love-in-the-wilderness) Mentioned as the tall captain of the Dry Tree, brother of the baron who pursued the Lady. ### [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) Richard is with Blaise, armed well and knightly; he expresses joy at seeing Ralph and fetches a horse for him to ride. ### [XIII: Richard Talketh with Ralph Concerning the Well at the World’s End. Concerning Swevenham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xiii-richard-talketh-with-ralph-concerning-the-well-at-the-world-s-end-concerning-swevenham) Richard, old and wise, loves Ralph much and plans to go to Swevenham alone to seek out tales of the Well at the World's End. ### [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) Richard accompanies Ralph to Blaise's booth and engages in conversation with Clement about the Dry Tree champions. ### [Ralph Dreams a Dream or Sees a Vision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xv-ralph-dreams-a-dream-or-sees-a-vision) Informs Ralph that on the morrow he will find his old friends of Swevenham in the Market. ### [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) Richard returns from Swevenham with stories of those who sought the Well, including a recent encounter with a woman wearing a chaplet of gems. ### [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) Brings tidings of departure, shares his thoughts on Ralph's quest, and provides a horse and gear. ### [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) Bids farewell to Ralph at the gates, sad at heart for the sundering. ### [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) Not explicitly mentioned in this chapter; excluded. ### [Book III: The Road to the Well at the World’s End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/book-iii-the-road-to-the-well-at-the-world-s-end) A loyal friend who provides counsel and support to Ralph. ### [XIII: They Come to Whitwall Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xiii-they-come-to-whitwall-again) Richard the Red meets Ralph in Whitwall, shares news of Blaise and Walter the Black's death, and decides to ride with Ralph to Upmeads. ### [XIV: They Ride Away from Whitwall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xiv-they-ride-away-from-whitwall) Advises on the shorter road and whispers privately to Ralph about the path's history. ### [XV: A Strange Meeting in the Wilderness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xv-a-strange-meeting-in-the-wilderness) Richard is talkative and helps slay the wild-man. He confirms they are heading to the Castle of Abundance. ### [XVI: They Come to the Castle of Abundance Once More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xvi-they-come-to-the-castle-of-abundance-once-more) Rides with the party and suggests a camping spot, unaware of its significance to Ralph. ### [XVII: They Fall in with That Hermit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xvii-they-fall-in-with-that-hermit) Travels with Ralph; urges Roger to join the adventure. ### [XVIII: A Change of Days in the Burg of the Four Friths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xviii-a-change-of-days-in-the-burg-of-the-four-friths) Comments on the folk's trust in peace and the need for watchfulness; accompanies Ralph to the Flower de Luce. ### [Ralph Sees Hampton and the Scaur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xix-ralph-sees-hampton-and-the-scaur) Starts at the sound of the horn and half draws his sword, but is calmed by the Sage. ### [XX: They Come to the Gate of Higham by the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xx-they-come-to-the-gate-of-higham-by-the-way) Rides with Ralph to the barriers, bareheaded and with sheathed sword. ### [Talk Between Those Two Brethren](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxi-talk-between-those-two-brethren) One of Ralph's companions; lodges with Ralph and Ursula in the headman's house. ### [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) Richard accompanies Ralph on the midnight patrol and is present when the shepherd arrives. ### [They Ride to Bear Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxiii-they-ride-to-bear-castle) Called by Ralph to help rouse the men and prepare for the ride. ### [XXIV: The Folkmote of the Shepherds](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xxiv-the-folkmote-of-the-shepherds) Takes a half score of champions and rides ahead to scout the road. ### [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) Leads the vanguard with a half score of Champions; waves his sword on the brow of the hill. ### [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) Provides his house for Ursula's preparation and a white palfrey for her riding. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/characters/richard_the_red - 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