# Will Dale — When Charles the First Was King character guide > Will Dale in When Charles the First Was King by J. S. Fletcher. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Will, Master Dale, Dale, poor Will, Will yonder, Bill, Will Dale yonder, William Dale, William, Master William, Mr. William Dale **First appearance:** 0001-ii-of-my-family-friends-neighbours-and-enemies ## Snapshot A young Yorkshire yeoman and narrator whose pride, hot temper, and devotion to Rose Lisle carry him from harvest fields to civil war. ## Who they are Will Dale farms at Dale's Field, loves Rose Lisle, feuds with Dennis Watson, and counts Jack Drumbleforth and Ben Tuckett among his closest friends. Proud and quick to anger, he scolds Lucy for accepting Watson's help yet quails before Rose's indignation, and he rides off with Jack to confess both his courtship and his danger. His restless spirit and sense of honor draw him toward the great events of the age, making him the reader's eyes on both the village and the coming storm. ## In the story ### [Of My Family, Friends, Neighbours, and Enemies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/ii-of-my-family-friends-neighbours-and-enemies) The narrator, who speaks of himself and his family. ### [Of My First Meeting with Rose Lisle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/iii-of-my-first-meeting-with-rose-lisle) The narrator, a young boy living at Dale's Field, who climbs an elm tree for a stormcock's nest and falls, meeting Rose Lisle. ### [Of Philip Lisle and His Good Horse Caesar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/iv-of-philip-lisle-and-his-good-horse-caesar) Narrator and protagonist; spends time with Rose Lisle, meets Philip Lisle, and learns of his true identity. ### [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) The protagonist, a great lad sent to school for the first time, advised by Dr. Parsons to learn well and avoid fighting unless forced. ### [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) Narrator and protagonist; recounts his school days and the escalating land dispute with the Watsons. ### [Of Our Coming from York](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/vii-of-our-coming-from-york) Narrator; accompanies his father to York for the land dispute, rides Dumpling, and discovers a secret drawer in the old chest. ### [Of the Sorrow That Came After](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/viii-of-the-sorrow-that-came-after) Witnesses his father's murder and swears revenge on the killer, suspecting Rupert Watson. ### [Of the Passage of Many Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/ix-of-the-passage-of-many-years) Narrator; grows from boy to man, returns to school, and comes of age, planning a feast for his majority and harvest-home. ### [Of My Coming of Age](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/x-of-my-coming-of-age) Comes of age, presides over the feast, makes a speech, and takes a reflective walk afterward. ### [Of My Second Meeting with Rose Lisle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xi-of-my-second-meeting-with-rose-lisle) Narrator and host; re-encounters Rose Lisle and feels a deep attraction. ### [XII: Of the First Tidings of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xii-of-the-first-tidings-of-war) The narrator and host of the coming-of-age celebration; he is drawn to Rose Lisle and observes the preparations. ### [Of Philip Lisle’s Call to Arms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xiii-of-philip-lisle-s-call-to-arms) Feels torn between his desire to fight for the King and his duty to care for his mother, sister, and farm. ### [Of the Disturbance in Pontefract Marketplace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xiv-of-the-disturbance-in-pontefract-marketplace) Accompanies Philip Lisle to the market, fights back-to-back with Jack Drumbleforth, and is overpowered and locked in the magistrate's cellar. ### [XV: Of Our Escape from the Magistrate’s Custody](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xv-of-our-escape-from-the-magistrate-s-custody) Narrator and prisoner, dazed but resolute, cares for Philip Lisle. ### [Of Our Flight from That Neighbourhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xvi-of-our-flight-from-that-neighbourhood) Narrator; helps steal the horses and decides to stay at Dale's Field. ### [Of the Events Which Followed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xvii-of-the-events-which-followed) Narrator and protagonist; reflects on his growing love for Rose Lisle and his daily life at Dale's Field. ### [Of Jack’s Letters from the Seat of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xviii-of-jack-s-letters-from-the-seat-of-war) Receives and shares Jack's letters; organizes the reading for the household. ### [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) Narrator; reflects on his hatred of the Watsons and his belief that Rupert Watson murdered his father; confronts Lucy and Rose about accepting a ride from Dennis Watson. ### [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) Resolved to fight a duel with Dennis Watson, despite inner reflection and Ben's protests. ### [Of Certain Joyful Events](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxi-of-certain-joyful-events) Narrator; reflects on the day's joyful events and his love for Rose. ### [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) Hosts the returning travelers, speaks privately with Jack about his duel with Dennis Watson and his love for Rose Lisle. ### [Of the Coming Near of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxiii-of-the-coming-near-of-war) Impatient for the war to end so he can marry Rose; anxious about Philip and Jack's silence. ### [Of My Ride with the Despatches](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxiv-of-my-ride-with-the-despatches) Volunteers to carry despatches to York, rides through the night, arrives at the Swan inn. ### [Of the Great Fight at Marston Moor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxv-of-the-great-fight-at-marston-moor) Arrives in York with a despatch, delivers it to Prince Rupert and Lord Newcastle, and volunteers to fight in the battle. ### [Of the Progress of the Fight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxvi-of-the-progress-of-the-fight) Narrator and participant in the battle; fights with Jack and Philip, later decides to return home but is captured. ### [Of My Meeting with General Cromwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxvii-of-my-meeting-with-general-cromwell) Narrator and protagonist; captured by Parliamentarians after the battle, later given a mission by Cromwell. ### [Of My Adventure at the Wayside Inn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxviii-of-my-adventure-at-the-wayside-inn) Narrator and protagonist; released by Cromwell, riding home, horse goes lame, stops at inn. ### [Of the Departure of Captain Trevor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxix-of-the-departure-of-captain-trevor) Returns home and recounts his adventures; reassures Ben Tuckett about his relationship with Rose. ### [Of the First Siege of Pontefract Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxx-of-the-first-siege-of-pontefract-castle) Narrator and confidant to Ben; observes the siege and its effects on the town. ### [Of the Second Siege of Pontefract Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxxi-of-the-second-siege-of-pontefract-castle) Narrator and defender of Pontefract Castle; drives cattle and wheat into the garrison, joins Sir John Ramsden's division. ### [Of the Evil News from Dale's Field](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxxii-of-the-evil-news-from-dale-s-field) Receives the letter from his mother, is devastated by the news that Rose has been tricked, and leads the ride to Dale's Field. ### [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) Rides in desperate pursuit of Rose, torn between suspicion and loyalty. ### [Of Our Adventure in Derbyshire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxxiv-of-our-adventure-in-derbyshire) Narrator, consumed by anger and revenge, searching for Rose Lisle and Captain Trevor. ### [Of Our Fortunate Meeting with Captain Trevor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxxv-of-our-fortunate-meeting-with-captain-trevor) Bound and helpless, Will uses his immense strength to burst his ropes, frees Philip, and overcomes their captors. ### [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) Narrator and seeker; swears an oath to confront Dennis Watson. ### [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) Driven by vengeance, he organizes a party to confront Dennis Watson at Castle Hill. ### [Of the Surrender of Pontefract Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxxviii-of-the-surrender-of-pontefract-castle) Returns to Dale's Field after Dennis Watson escapes, then re-enters Pontefract Castle; goes round his farm with Rose; participates in the siege and surrender. ### [Of the Death of Philip Lisle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxxix-of-the-death-of-philip-lisle) Returns to Dale's Field, plans wedding with Rose, grieves Philip's death. ### [Of Our Imprisonment in Pontefract Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xl-of-our-imprisonment-in-pontefract-castle) Narrator; postpones marriage, is arrested and imprisoned in Pontefract Castle, then freed and returns to Dale's Field. ### [Of My Journey to London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xli-of-my-journey-to-london) Returns home after two years of captivity; learns of his mother's death; seeks justice from Cromwell; journeys to London. ### [Of the Scene Before Whitehall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xlii-of-the-scene-before-whitehall) Narrator and protagonist; travels to London, lodges with Master Goodfellow, witnesses the King's trial and execution. ### [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) Narrator; walks through London after the King's execution, meets Cromwell, and later spots Dennis Watson in a tavern. ### [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) Narrator and protagonist; reflects on war and resolves to marry Rose and live peacefully at Dale's Field. ### [Of the Strange Man’s Confession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xlv-of-the-strange-man-s-confession) Will tends to the stranger, learns the truth about his father's murder, and struggles with his desire for revenge. ### [Of Our Preparations for the Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xlvi-of-our-preparations-for-the-wedding) Returns home obsessed with avenging his father's murder, rejecting counsel to forgive. ### [Of My Last Meeting with Rupert Watson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xlvii-of-my-last-meeting-with-rupert-watson) Narrator, awaiting his wedding to Rose Lisle; rides out at night and witnesses Rupert Watson's mad ride. ### [How the Bells Rang Out at Darrington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xlviii-how-the-bells-rang-out-at-darrington) The groom; retrieves the buried box with the guinea and flowers, marries Rose Lisle. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/endnotes) His fears about the loss of his family's land are confirmed. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/characters/will_dale - 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