Privy Seal · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Privy Seal by Ford Madox Ford.
Margot Poins
major
Also known as Margot Poins, young Poins, the young Poins, Poins, Margot
A blonde maid to Katharine Howard, central to the plot and romance.
Sir Throckmorton
major
Also known as Throckmorton, Sir Throckmorton, one Throckmorton
A courtier and schemer involved in political intrigues.
Thomas Cromwell
major
Also known as the Lord Cromwell, Cromwell, This Cromwell, Thomas Cromwell, Cur Crummock, Crummock
The powerful Lord Privy Seal, a central antagonist.
Thomas Culpepper
major
Also known as Goodman, Thomas Culpepper, Culpepper, Tom Culpepper, Thomas, Goodman Thomas Culpepper, Tom, Squahre Culpepper, Squahre, T. Culpepper, Sir Thomas Culpepper, Squahre Tom, Squahre Thomas, Squahre Tom of Lincoln
A gentleman and suitor, entangled with Katharine Howard.
Magister Udal
major
Also known as the magister, The Magister Udal, Magister, Udal, the Magister Udal, The magister, the Magister
A scholarly and often comic figure, narrator-like presence.
Katharine Howard
major
Also known as the Lady Katharine Howard, Katharine Howard, the Lady Katharine, Katharine, Howard, the Lady Howard, The Lady Howard, Lady Katharine, Katharine Howard—her, Kat Howard, this Kat Howard, A Kat, Kat, Kat Howard Poins
A noblewoman at court, central to romance and political danger.
Master Viridus
supporting
Also known as Viridus, Master Viridus, the Sieur Viridus
A mysterious and influential figure at court.
Lascelles
supporting
Also known as Lascelles
A courtier involved in the political machinations.
Wriothesley
supporting
Also known as Wriothesley
A secretary and ally of Cromwell, later a rival.
Lord Privy Seal
major
Also known as Privy Seal, Lord Privy Seal, Privy
The title often used for Thomas Cromwell, symbolizing his power.
Cicely Elliott
supporting
Also known as Cicely, Elliott, Cicely Elliott, Cicely Rochford
A young woman connected to the Howard family.
Nicholas Hogben
supporting
Also known as Nicholas Hogben, Hogben, old Hogben, II Nicholas Hogben, Art Nick Hogben, Nick Hogben
A servant or retainer, often providing comic relief.
Hal Poins
supporting
Also known as Hal Poins, Poins, Harry Poins, Henry
A young man, possibly related to Margot, involved in the story.
Old Rochford
minor
Also known as Old Rochford, old Rochford
An older courtier with a role in the background.
Duke of Cleves
minor
Also known as the Duke of Cleves, Cleves
A foreign duke, father of Anne of Cleves, involved in diplomacy.
Madam Howard
minor
Also known as Madam Howard, Madam
An older female relative of Katharine Howard.
Lady Mary
minor
Also known as the Lady Mary of England—that, the Lady Mary, Mary
Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII, a figure at court.
Anne Boleyn
minor
Also known as Queen Anne Boleyn, Anne Boleyn, Queen, Anne, the Queen Anne
The executed queen, referenced as a past figure.
Cranmer
minor
Also known as Cranmer
Archbishop of Canterbury, a religious reformer.
Lady Rochford
minor
Also known as Rochford, Lady Rochford, the Lady Rochford, The Lady Rochford
A noblewoman, possibly a relative of the Boleyns.
Doctor Longstaffe
minor
Also known as Longstaffe, Doctor Longstaffe
A physician or scholar at court.
Bishop Hugh Latimer
minor
Also known as the Bishop Hugh Latimer of Worcester, Bishop Hugh Latimer, Worcester, the Bishop of Worcester, Latimer
A reformist bishop, appears in a scene.
Queen Katharine
minor
Also known as Queen Katharine, Katharine, the dead Queen Katharine
The deceased Queen Katharine of Aragon, referenced.
Cardinal Pole
minor
Also known as Cardinal Pole, Cardinal Pole that was moving the French King to war on us, King
A cardinal and enemy of Henry VIII, mentioned.
Emperor Charles
minor
Also known as the Emperor Charles, Charles
Holy Roman Emperor, referenced in diplomacy.
Norfolk
minor
Also known as Norfolk
The Duke of Norfolk, a powerful noble.
Master Printer Badge
minor
Also known as Master Printer Badge, Printer
A printer involved in disseminating texts.
Fanshawe
minor
Also known as Fanshawe
A minor courtier or official.
Gardiner
minor
Also known as Gardiner
Bishop Gardiner, a conservative figure.
Rich
minor
Also known as Rich, Rich the Chancellor
Sir Richard Rich, a chancellor and political operator.
Lord Edmund Howard
minor
Also known as the Lord Edmund Howard, the Lord Edmund
Father of Katharine Howard, a minor noble.
Widow Annot
minor
Also known as the Widow Annot
A local woman, possibly a servant.
