Golden Walter

The Maid

Golden Walter is deeply in love with the Maid, who becomes his primary romantic interest and eventual partner.

The Lady

The Lady manipulates and obsesses over Golden Walter, using her magical power to control him as a pawn in her schemes.

The Dwarf

The Dwarf serves as a messenger and servant to the Lady, interacting with Walter primarily in a servile capacity.

The Old Man

The Old Man acts as a wise and helpful guide to Walter, offering counsel and aid during his journey.

Sir Squire

Sir Squire is a knight in the Lady's household who interacts with Walter as a fellow courtier and occasional rival.

Arnold Penstrong

Arnold Penstrong is a loyal friend and companion to Walter, accompanying him on his travels and adventures.

The Shipmaster

The Shipmaster is the captain of the vessel Walter sails on, providing transportation and nautical guidance.

Bartholomew Golden

Bartholomew Golden is Golden Walter's father, a wealthy merchant who cares for his son's welfare.

Adam

Adam is a fellow traveler and companion to Walter, offering camaraderie on the road.

The Reddings

The Reddings are a family or group Walter encounters briefly, serving as minor acquaintances in his journey.

The Lady

The Lady manipulates and obsesses over Golden Walter, using her magical power to control him as a pawn in her schemes.

The Maid

Golden Walter is deeply in love with the Maid, who becomes his primary romantic interest and eventual partner.

I: Of Golden Walter and His Father

The protagonist, a young man of 25, fair-faced and yellow-haired, who is troubled by his wife's infidelity and seeks to leave home.

II: Golden Walter Takes Ship to Sail the Seas

Walter goes down to the Katherine, sees the three strangers, and becomes entranced by them; he later sails on the Katherine.

III: Walter Heareth Tidings of the Death of His Father

Walter receives news of his father's death and struggles between his duty to avenge the Reddings and his obsessive desire to find the three strangers.

IV: Storm Befalls the Bartholomew, and She Is Driven Off Her Course

Walter is aboard the Bartholomew, initially anxious about returning home but finds hope in the storm's diversion, which delays his homecoming.

V: Now They Come to a New Land

Walter is present with the crew, speaking with the old man and advising caution.

VI: The Old Man Tells Walter of Himself. Walter Sees a Shard in the Cliff-Wall

Walter initiates probing questions about the old man's past and becomes fixated on the northern shard in the cliff-wall, suspecting it holds the key to the wondrous three.

VII: Walter Comes to the Shard in the Rock-Wall

Walter decides to rest and wait for his men, but secretly leaves to journey to the shard in the rock-wall, driven by hope and fear.

VIII: Walter Wends the Waste

Walter journeys alone across the waste, enduring thirst and fatigue, and finally glimpses a fertile land from the ridge.

IX: Walter Happeneth on the First of Those Three Creatures

Walter is weary and hungry after crossing the waste; he encounters the dwarf and is terrified by the meeting.

X: Walter Happeneth on Another Creature in the Strange Land

Walter encounters the maiden by the fountain, confesses his love, and learns of the Mistress's wizardry.

XI: Walter Happeneth on the Mistress

Arrives at the golden house, kneels before the Lady, and is dismissed coldly.

XII: The Wearing of Four Days in the Wood Beyond the World

Walter spends four days in the wood, longing for the Maid and observing the Lady and the King's Son. He overhears their conversation and feels helpless.

XIII: Now Is the Hunt Up

Walter is appointed squire to the Lady and joins her on a hunt, struggling to hide his love for the Maid.

XIV: The Hunting of the Hart

Accompanies the Lady on a hunt, shares a meal with her, and reveals he saw her likeness in Langton.

XV: The Slaying of the Quarry

Accompanies the Lady on the hunt, slays the lion with arrows and sword, and is offered a reward.

XVI: Of the King’s Son and the Maid

Hides in the thicket, witnesses the King’s Son and the Maid, struggles with wrath and grief, then reaffirms his love for the Maid.

Of the House and the Pleasance in the Wood

Walter is conflicted, feeling both desire and fear toward the Lady; he kneels to her, hesitates to ask for a gift, and ultimately accepts her forgiveness.

The Maid Gives Walter Tryst

Awakens alone, searches the garden, meets the Maid, and resolves to keep the tryst despite the dwarf's ominous appearance.

XIX: Walter Goes to Fetch Home the Lion’s Hide

Sent to fetch the lion's hide; finds the carcass mysteriously gone; receives urgent counter-orders from the Maid; converses warily with the King's Son.

XX: Walter Is Bidden to Another Tryst

Distraught between two trysts, he obeys the Lady's commands and prepares for the midnight meeting.

Walter and the Maid Flee from the Golden House

Flees with the Maid, feels her sweetness and is content yet shy.

Of the Dwarf and the Pardon

Defends the Maid, slays the Dwarf in combat, and later forgives and comforts her.

Of the Peaceful Ending of That Wild Day

Leads the Maid onward, fashions brogues for her, hunts for food, and prepares their evening meal.

XXIV: The Maid Tells of What Had Befallen Her

Listens to the Maid's tale, learns of her schemes, and is reassured by her love and commitment to their escape.

Of the Triumphant Summer Array of the Maid

Walks with the Maid, expresses concern about the Bear-folk, and admires her floral array.

XXVI: They Come to the Folk of the Bears

Walter descends into the Bear-folk's valley with the Maid, feels awe and foreboding, and confesses his fear of death before the next day's judgment.

Morning Amongst the Bears

Wakes to find the Maid standing over him; he caresses her feet and expresses concern about her attire. He agrees to follow her instructions and act as her man.

XXVIII: Of the New God of the Bears

Kneels before the Maid in the Doom-ring, holding his sword as if to protect her, and is later allowed to sleep peacefully apart from the watchers.

XXIX: Walter Strays in the Pass and Is Sundered from the Maid

Walter is sundered from the Maid, battles the storm, and laments her loss.

XXX: Now They Meet Again

Reunites with the Maid, expresses hunger and longing, fears the city but agrees to continue the journey.

XXXI: They Come Upon New Folk

Walter is anxious and fearful as he and the Maid are taken by armed strangers; he is separated from her and put to bed in a strange house.

XXXII: Of the New King of the City and Land of Stark-Wall

Awakens in a splendid chamber, is bathed and offered a choice of raiment; chooses the war-gear and is crowned King of Battle.

Concerning the Fashion of King-Making in Stark-Wall

The newly made king who questions the elder about the customs of king-making.

XXXIV: Now Cometh the Maid to the King

Revealed as king-born, he declares the Maid his queen and spouse.

XXXV: Of the King of Stark-Wall and His Queen

Newly crowned King of Stark-Wall, acclaimed by the people, wears the ancient armour and bears the Sword of the King's Slaying.

XXXVI: Of Walter and the Maid in the Days of the Kingship

Now king of Stark-wall, he reunites with the Maid, rules wisely, and is beloved by his folk.