# Dennis Watson — When Charles the First Was King character guide

> Dennis Watson in When Charles the First Was King by J. S. Fletcher.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** a Watson, Dennis Watson, This Dennis, Dennis, Watson, Master Watson, This Watson, Master Dennis Watson

**First appearance:** 0001-ii-of-my-family-friends-neighbours-and-enemies

## Snapshot

A handsome, well-spoken neighbor whose courteous rescue of two snowbound sisters masks a deadly feud with the Dale family.

## Who they are

Dennis Watson belongs to the hostile clan arrayed against Will Dale and his kin, yet he plays the gallant when he lifts Lucy and Rose from a snowstorm and delivers them to their own orchard gate. His charm is real enough to disarm the women, but Will's furious reaction exposes the old enmity beneath it, and Jack Drumbleforth warns that Watson is cruel and ingenious in his contrivances. His suspected leanings toward Rose make him a rival to watch, and his underhand threats shadow the early chapters with the promise of reckoning.

## In the story

### [Of My First Going to School](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/v-of-my-first-going-to-school)

Son of the Watson family enemy, a dark and forbidding lad who bullies Will and leads a group of evilly-disposed boys.

### [Of the Dispute in the Marketplace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/vi-of-the-dispute-in-the-marketplace)

Mentioned as having been fought and beaten by Will earlier; part of the Watson family.

### [Of Our Coming from York](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/vii-of-our-coming-from-york)

Rupert Watson's son; Will recalls Dennis's sworn hatred after their earlier fight.

### [Of the Remarkable Conduct of Dennis Watson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xix-of-the-remarkable-conduct-of-dennis-watson)

Son of Rupert Watson; described as handsome but with a treacherous and cruel nature; gives Lucy and Rose a ride home in his cart.

### [Of the Meeting in the Woods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xx-of-the-meeting-in-the-woods)

Sends a formal challenge to Will, insisting on settling their difference at the old sheepfold.

### [Of Jack Drumbleforth's Return Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxii-of-jack-drumbleforth-s-return-home)

Mentioned as a threat to Will; subject of the duel and potential danger regarding Rose Lisle.

### [Of Our Ride in Search of Rose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxxiii-of-our-ride-in-search-of-rose)

Encountered at an inn; provides information about Rose's abduction.

### [Of Our Adventure in Derbyshire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxxiv-of-our-adventure-in-derbyshire)

Mentioned as having been met at a wayside inn earlier.

### [XXXVI: Of the End of Our Search](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxxvi-of-the-end-of-our-search)

Revealed as the true orchestrator of Rose's kidnapping.

### [Of Our Visit to Castle Hill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxxvii-of-our-visit-to-castle-hill)

Absent from Castle Hill; has fled after stealing a thousand guineas from his father.

### [Of Two Strange Meetings in One Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xliii-of-two-strange-meetings-in-one-day)

Seen briefly by Will in a tavern; he flees when their eyes meet.

### [Of the Fate of Dennis Watson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xliv-of-the-fate-of-dennis-watson)

Will's enemy; found ill on the roadside, later chased through London and dies after falling from a roof.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/characters/dennis_watson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/characters