# Golden Walter — The Wood Beyond the World character guide > Golden Walter in The Wood Beyond the World by William Morris. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Walter, Langton, Walter of Langton, Walter Wends, King **First appearance:** 0000-i-of-golden-walter-and-his-father ## Snapshot A yellow-haired merchant's son of Langton, five-and-twenty and fair of face, flees a faithless wife and a loveless house by taking ship for wherever the wind blows. ## Who they are Walter is heir to Bartholomew Golden, a headman of the Goldings and one of the richest merchants of Langton on Holm, and by all reckoning a lucky young man — except that his bride of six months has turned from him to a worse man, and her voice in the house makes his heart beat even as her hatred makes the streets loathsome. He is no roisterer and no brawler, but courteous, forbearing, and a perilous foe in a fray, and it is precisely this gentleness that makes his restlessness so sharp. His departure in the Katherine sets the whole tale in motion: a young man who has never wanted for anything, now wanting only to be somewhere else. ## Relationships ### [The Maid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_maid) _romantic_ Golden Walter is deeply in love with the Maid, who becomes his primary romantic interest and eventual partner. ### [The Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_lady) _psychological_ The Lady manipulates and obsesses over Golden Walter, using her magical power to control him as a pawn in her schemes. ### [The Dwarf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_dwarf) _professional_ The Dwarf serves as a messenger and servant to the Lady, interacting with Walter primarily in a servile capacity. ### [The Old Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_old_man) _friendship_ The Old Man acts as a wise and helpful guide to Walter, offering counsel and aid during his journey. ### [Sir Squire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/sir_squire) _professional_ Sir Squire is a knight in the Lady's household who interacts with Walter as a fellow courtier and occasional rival. ### [Arnold Penstrong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/arnold_penstrong) _friendship_ Arnold Penstrong is a loyal friend and companion to Walter, accompanying him on his travels and adventures. ### [The Shipmaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_shipmaster) _professional_ The Shipmaster is the captain of the vessel Walter sails on, providing transportation and nautical guidance. ### [Bartholomew Golden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/bartholomew_golden) _family_ Bartholomew Golden is Golden Walter's father, a wealthy merchant who cares for his son's welfare. ### [Adam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/adam) _friendship_ Adam is a fellow traveler and companion to Walter, offering camaraderie on the road. ### [The Reddings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_reddings) _social_ The Reddings are a family or group Walter encounters briefly, serving as minor acquaintances in his journey. ### [The Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_lady) _psychological_ The Lady manipulates and obsesses over Golden Walter, using her magical power to control him as a pawn in her schemes. ### [The Maid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_maid) _romantic_ Golden Walter is deeply in love with the Maid, who becomes his primary romantic interest and eventual partner. ## In the story ### [I: Of Golden Walter and His Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/xvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/xviii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/xxi-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/xxii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/xxiii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/xxv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/xxvii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/xxxiii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/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. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/golden_walter - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters