# The Old Man — The Wood Beyond the World character guide > The Old Man in The Wood Beyond the World by William Morris. **Role:** supporting **First appearance:** 0005-vi-the-old-man-tells-walter-of-himself-walter-sees-a-shard-in-the-cliff-wall ## Snapshot A long-hoary hermit in beast-skins who lives alone between the sea and the Bears, glad of any voice that is not a beast's or his own. ## Who they are He dwells in a straw-thatched house under a wooded mound with orchard trees and a few sheep, the only man between the sea and the dwellings of the Bears, and trades them calves and cider for pelts and lumps of copper. He warns the shipmaster plainly that the Bears are manlike in body but miscreants in soul, worshipping no god he can name — only a certain woman, with mickle worship. His talk gives Walter and the crew their first true map of the land ahead, and his quiet dread of the wild folk colors everything that follows. ## Relationships ### [Golden Walter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/golden_walter) _friendship_ The Old Man acts as a wise and helpful guide to Walter, offering counsel and aid during his journey. ### [The Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_lady) _rivalry_ The Old Man opposes the Lady's magical tyranny, and she views him as an enemy who undermines her power. ### [The Bears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_bears) _friendship_ The Bears are friendly toward the Old Man, recognizing him as an ally of the Maid. ### [The Maid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_maid) _friendship_ The Maid and the Old Man share a respectful alliance, with him offering her wisdom and support. ### [The Bears](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_bears) _friendship_ The Bears are friendly toward the Old Man, recognizing him as an ally of the Maid. ### [Golden Walter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/golden_walter) _friendship_ The Old Man acts as a wise and helpful guide to Walter, offering counsel and aid during his journey. ### [The Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_lady) _rivalry_ The Old Man opposes the Lady's magical tyranny, and she views him as an enemy who undermines her power. ### [Golden Walter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/golden_walter) _friendship_ The Old Man acts as a wise and helpful guide to Walter, offering counsel and aid during his journey. ### [The Maid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_maid) _friendship_ The Maid and the Old Man share a respectful alliance, with him offering her wisdom and support. ### [The Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_lady) _rivalry_ The Old Man opposes the Lady's magical tyranny, and she views him as an enemy who undermines her power. ### [The Maid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_maid) _friendship_ The Maid and the Old Man share a respectful alliance, with him offering her wisdom and support. ## In the story ### [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) The old man is the sole inhabitant of the land, living alone and trading with the Bear-folk. ### [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) The old man confesses to having slain the previous inhabitant to clear a path, but lies when Walter asks if that path was through the northern shard. He warns Walter against venturing into the Bear-country. ### [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) The old man arises and goes ahead to prepare for cooking, leaving Walter behind. ### [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) The elder of the Bear-folk, wearing a deer-skin mantle and gold ring, speaks for the tribe, questions the strangers' nature, and arranges for the next day's assembly. ### [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) The elder who first addresses the Maid and Walter, leads them to the Doom-ring, and later kneels in worship after the Maid's miracle. ### [XXXI: They Come Upon New Folk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/chapters/xxxi-they-come-upon-new-folk) An old hoar knight, armed all save his head, bows to Walter but speaks no word, leading the silent escort. ### [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) One of the three elders who guide Walter; speaks for the assembly and answers Walter's questions. ### [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 elder who explains the fashion and cause of king-making in Stark-wall. ### [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) An elder who attempts to lead the Maid to the throne but is gently rebuffed. ### [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) Elder who advises the King to look out the window to see the gathered people. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_wood_beyond_the_world_se/characters/the_old_man - 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