The Four Men · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in The Four Men by Hilaire Belloc.
The Sailor
major
Also known as I, me, myself, Sailor
The narrator and one of the Four Men, journeying through Sussex.
Grizzlebeard
major
Also known as Heathfield Grizzlebeard, Pelagius Grizzlebeard, the Crabtree Grizzlebeard
A wise and eccentric companion, one of the Four Men on the pilgrimage.
The Poet
major
Also known as Poet, Myself
A reflective member of the Four Men, given to verse and philosophy.
Peter the Politician
major
Also known as Peter
A pragmatic and talkative member of the Four Men, fond of debate.
St. Dunstan
supporting
Also known as Dunstan
A saintly figure who appears and interacts with the travelers.
Mr. Justice Honeybubble
supporting
Also known as Sir Thingumbob Honeybubble
A pompous local magistrate encountered during the journey.
Squire Fuller of Brightling
supporting
Also known as Brightling, Fuller, the great Fuller
A legendary local squire and eccentric builder of follies.
The Devil
supporting
Also known as Devil, the Money-Devil, Beelzebub, the Head Devil
A tempter figure who appears in various guises to the travelers.
Arun
supporting
The personified river Arun, a speaking character in the landscape.
St. Leonard
minor
Also known as Leonard
A saint who appears to bless or test the pilgrims.
Cadwalla
minor
An ancient Saxon king who appears as a ghostly figure.
The Stranger
minor
Also known as the stranger
A mysterious figure who joins the travelers for a time.
The Little People
minor
Fairy folk encountered in the Sussex countryside.
Duke William
minor
Also known as William
The Conqueror, referenced as a historical presence in Sussex.
Charlemagne
minor
The emperor appears in a vision or tale told by the Poet.
George III
minor
Also known as George
The mad king, mentioned in local lore and anecdotes.
Golier
minor
A local character or legendary figure from Sussex tales.
Mas'r Charles
minor
Also known as Charles
A servant or local man encountered on the road.
Chanctonbury
minor
The personified hill Chanctonbury Ring, a speaking character.
Adam
minor
The biblical first man, appearing in a philosophical discussion.
The Fairies
minor
Magical beings who interact with the travelers briefly.
Brother Sussex
minor
A personification of the county of Sussex as a brother.
Queen Elizabeth
minor
Also known as Beth, Eliza, Elizabeth
The Tudor queen appears in a historical anecdote.
St. Offa
minor
A saint mentioned in the travelers' discussions of Sussex history.
Napoleon
minor
Also known as the tyrant Napoleon
The French emperor, referenced as a bogeyman in local tales.
Roland
minor
The legendary knight appears in a story told by the Poet.
Brother Kent
minor
Also known as Kent
The personified county of Kent, a rival to Sussex.
The Body
minor
Also known as Little Body
A personified aspect of the narrator's own body.
King of Sussex
minor
Also known as Sussex, the first King of Sussex
An early Saxon king of Sussex, appearing in a vision.
Tirri Pat
minor
A local character or nickname from Sussex folklore.
Mary
minor
Also known as Anna, Peter Bell
Figures from a local story or song mentioned by the travelers.
The Owers
minor
Also known as the Owers Light
A personified lighthouse or reef off the Sussex coast.
The Rother
minor
Also known as Rother
The personified River Rother, a speaking character.
The Hog
minor
Also known as Hog
A local nickname for a person or creature encountered.
Alexander
minor
Alexander the Great, referenced in a historical comparison.
King Charles II
minor
Also known as King Charles, King Charles the Second
The Stuart king appears in a local legend about escape.
Zo zhall ee
minor
A dialect-speaking local character encountered briefly.
