The Sword in the Tree

Shan is the protagonist of the story. He is a preteen boy living in a fictitious version of medieval England. Shan is a round character who is fairly well developed but whose personality and values do not change very much over the course of the novel. Shan is characterized as a loyal and good-natured son who is respectful and affectionate to his father, Lord Weldon, and his mother, Lady Marian. Shan not only feels entitled to inherit the title of Lord Weldon because of his family lineage but also feels responsible for carrying out the duties associated with being lord. For instance, he takes careful care of his father’s sword, which always belongs to the lord: “Long ago Shan had asked his father: ‘May I be the one to care for your sword?’ His father had told him, ‘Yes, my son, because some day it will be yours’” (25).

Shan also listens to his mother and defers to her opinion. When she insists on leaving the castle for their own safety, he agrees, even though he wants to confront his uncle Lionel: “‘We must leave quickly.’ ‘And give up our castle to my uncle?’ ‘If we stay, we cannot save our castle.