Hadrian the Seventh · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Hadrian the Seventh by Frederick Rolfe.
Hadrian VII
major
Also known as Hadrian, Hadrian the Seventh, Hadrian I, IX Hadrian, Rose alias Hadrian, XV Hadrian
A humble Englishman who is unexpectedly elected Pope, transforming the papacy.
George Arthur Rose
major
Also known as George, the Reverend George Arthur Rose, The Reverend George Arthur Rose, Rose, Rose fhen, Georgie, Reverend
The protagonist before his election, a failed priest and eccentric scholar.
Mrs. Crowe
supporting
Also known as XI Dear Mrs. Crowe
Rose's devoted landlady who cares for him in his poverty.
Jerry Sant
supporting
Also known as Comrade Jerry Sant, Jerry, Jeremiah Sant, Sant, Comrade Jeremiah Sant, The blameless Sant, the virtuous Jerry, XVI Jerry Sant, XIV Jerry Sant
A socialist agitator and former friend of Rose who becomes a cardinal.
Mr. Rose
major
Also known as Rose
An alternate reference to George Arthur Rose, often in formal contexts.
George Semphill
supporting
Also known as Mr. George Semphill, Semphill, Mr. Semphill, Cardinal Semphill, Δ. Semphill
A cardinal and political rival to Hadrian within the Church.
Sir John
supporting
Also known as John, The faithful young Sir John
A loyal young knight who serves and protects Hadrian.
Mariano Ragna
supporting
Also known as Ragna, Cardinal Mariano Ragna, Cardinal Ragna
A cardinal who becomes a close ally and confidant of Hadrian.
Cardinal Talacryn
supporting
Also known as Talacryn, Cardinals Talacryn, Francis Talacryn, Frank, the Lord Francis Talacryn
A worldly cardinal who initially opposes Hadrian's reforms.
Sir Iulo
minor
A nobleman and attendant in the papal court.
Cardinal Leighton
minor
Also known as Leighton, Good honest innocent Leighton
A naive and good-hearted cardinal.
Percy Van Kristen
minor
Also known as Van Kristen, Percy, Cardinal Van Kristen
A cardinal from the Netherlands, often skeptical of Hadrian.
Cardinal Carvale
supporting
Also known as Carvale, O Carvale, little Carvale, Robert Carvale, Robert, Herbert
A young cardinal who becomes a devoted follower of Hadrian.
Mr. Macleod
minor
Also known as Macleod, Hamish Macleod, Hamish
A Scottish journalist who interviews Hadrian.
Pope Leo
minor
Also known as Leo, Pope Leo, the dead Leo
The deceased pope whose death leads to the conclave.
Luigi Orezzo
minor
Also known as Orezzo
A cardinal known for his cunning and ambition.
Cardinal Nefski
minor
Also known as Nefski
A Russian cardinal in the papal court.
Cardinal Courtleigh
minor
Also known as Courtleigh, Dr. Courtleigh
A cardinal and physician who attends to Hadrian.
Victor Emanuel
supporting
Also known as the Southern Emperor Victor Emanuel, Victor, Victor Emanuel III
The King of Italy who clashes with Hadrian.
Alaric Crowe
minor
Also known as Alaric
Mrs. Crowe's son, a troubled young man.
Cardinal Sterling
minor
Also known as Sterling, Mr. Sterling
An English cardinal who supports Hadrian.
Flavio
minor
A young page or servant in the Vatican.
Cardinal Gentilotto
minor
Also known as Gentilotto, Hieronimo Gentilotto
An Italian cardinal, often part of the opposition.
Signor Panciera
minor
Also known as Signore Panciera
A Vatican official or monsignor.
Serafino Vagellaio
minor
Also known as Serafino, Vagellaio, Vincenzo Vagellaio, Vincenzo
A cardinal or church figure with a dramatic presence.
Fiamma
minor
Also known as Domenico Fiamma, Cardinal Fiamma
A cardinal known for his fiery rhetoric.
Prince Filiberto
minor
Also known as The Prince Filiberto, Filiberto, The fair Prince Filiberto
An Italian prince and military figure.
William II
minor
Also known as William
The German Kaiser who interacts with the Vatican.
Sir Francis Bertram
minor
Also known as Sir Francis
A British diplomat or envoy to the Vatican.
Cardinal Mundo
minor
Also known as Mundo, the Portugal Mundo
A Portuguese cardinal in the curia.
William Jameson
minor
Also known as Jameson
A Scottish journalist or writer.
Cardinal della Volta
minor
Also known as Della Volta, della Volta
A cardinal involved in Vatican politics.
Comrade Frank Conollan
minor
A socialist comrade of Jerry Sant.
Cardinal Berstein
minor
Also known as Berstein, Cardinal-Deacon Berstein
A German cardinal in the conclave.
Brother Peter Baptist
minor
Also known as Peter
A monk who serves in the Vatican.
Bishop of Caerleon
minor
Also known as Caerleon
A Welsh bishop who visits Rome.
Monsignor Cateran
minor
Also known as Cateran
A Vatican monsignor and official.
Cardinal Whitehead
minor
Also known as Whitehead
An English cardinal in the curia.
Cardinal Popk
minor
Also known as Popk
A cardinal from Eastern Europe.
Edward Lancaster
minor
Also known as Edward III, Edward Lancaster, Lancaster
A claimant to the English throne.
Sultan Ismail
minor
Also known as The Sultan, The new Sultan, Ismail
The Sultan of Turkey who sends envoys.
Don Umberto
minor
Also known as Donovan, Umberto
An Italian nobleman or priest.
Mr. Guthrie
minor
A visitor to the Vatican.
Cardinal Macca
minor
Also known as Macca, Cardinal-Archdeacon Macca
A cardinal who serves as archdeacon.
Cardinal Moccolo
minor
Also known as Moccolo, Cardinal-Scrutator Moccolo
A cardinal who acts as scrutator in conclave.
Prince Orso
minor
Also known as Orso
An Italian prince and military leader.
Alfred Elms
minor
Also known as Elms
A minor English character in Rome.
Signor Zanatello
minor
Also known as Zanatello
A Vatican functionary.
Empress Elena
minor
Also known as The exquisite Empress Elena
The Empress of Italy, wife of Victor Emanuel.
Dom Jaime de Bourbon
minor
A Spanish Bourbon claimant to the throne.
Comrade Pete Quillet
minor
Also known as Peter
A socialist comrade of Sant.
Signor Cabelli
minor
Also known as Cabelli, dear old Cabelli
An Italian journalist or writer.
Prince Clenalotti
minor
An Italian prince.
Mrs. Agnes Dixon
minor
Also known as Mrs. Dixon
An Englishwoman who visits Rome.
Father Dawkins
minor
Also known as Father
An English priest who visits Hadrian.
Lady Wimborne
minor
An English noblewoman in Rome.
Signor Barconi
minor
An Italian merchant or banker.
