Character guide

Henry Esmond

major

Also known as Harry Esmond, Colonel Esmond, Master Harry, young Esmond, little Harry, Henry Esmond, kinsman Henry, Colonel Henry Esmond

The protagonist and narrator, a loyal soldier and gentleman of mysterious birth who serves the Castlewood family.

Beatrix Esmond

major

Also known as Miss Beatrix, little Beatrix, Mistress Beatrix, Madam Beatrix, the lovely Beatrix, chatterbox Beatrix

The beautiful and ambitious daughter of the Castlewood family, beloved by Henry Esmond.

Lady Castlewood

major

Also known as the Lady Castlewood, my Lady Castlewood, Rachel Esmond Warrington, Rachel Esmond

The kind and pious mistress of Castlewood who raises Henry Esmond as her own son.

Frank Castlewood

supporting

Also known as Francis, Viscount Castlewood, Francis James Viscount Castlewood, young Castlewood, little Frank

The son of Lady Castlewood, a good-natured but impulsive young nobleman.

Lord Mohun

supporting

Also known as my Lord Mohun, Mohun, Harry Mohun

A dangerous and duplicitous nobleman who brings tragedy to Castlewood.

Father Holt

supporting

Also known as Holt, Mr. Holt, the Father, the indefatigable Mr. Holt

A cunning Jesuit priest and Jacobite agent who educates young Henry Esmond.

Thomas Esmond

supporting

Also known as Tom Esmond, Captain Esmond, Captain Thomas Esmond, Tom, little Tommy

Henry Esmond's older cousin and the third Viscount Castlewood, a dissolute nobleman.

Duke of Hamilton

supporting

Also known as the Duke of Hamilton, Duke Hamilton, My Lord Duke of Hamilton, Brandon

A powerful Scottish nobleman who becomes a rival for Beatrix's hand.

Lord Castlewood (Francis)

supporting

Also known as the old Lord Castlewood, my Lord Viscount, Viscount Castlewood, the first Viscount Castlewood

The fourth Viscount Castlewood, father of Frank and Beatrix, a charming but flawed gentleman.

Dowager Lady Castlewood

supporting

Also known as my Lady Castlewood of Chelsey, the Dowager Lady Castlewood, the elder Lady Castlewood, the Viscountess Dowager

The sharp-tongued and manipulative mother of the late Viscount Castlewood.

Joseph Addison

supporting

Also known as Mr. Addison, Joe Addison, Addison, Joseph, the Famous Mr. Joseph Addison

A celebrated writer and politician, friend to Henry Esmond and Steele.

Richard Steele

supporting

Also known as Mr. Steele, Steele, Dick Steele, honest Dick, jovial Dick Steele

A jovial writer and soldier, Henry Esmond's friend and fellow officer.

General Webb

supporting

Also known as Webb, Mr. Webb, Lieutenant-General Webb, honest Mr. Webb, General Webb

Henry Esmond's commanding officer, a brave but prickly military leader.

Tom Tusher

supporting

Also known as Mr. Tusher, Thomas Tusher, honest Tom Tusher, Tom, Doctor Tusher

The son of the local parson, a childhood companion of Henry Esmond who becomes a clergyman.

Duke of Marlborough

supporting

Also known as Lord Marlborough, Marlborough, the Duke of Marlborough, my Lord Duke of Marlborough

The great general and commander of the English forces during the War of Spanish Succession.

Henry St. John

supporting

Also known as Mr. St. John, St. John, Mr. Secretary St. John, Lord Bolingbroke, Bolingbroke

A brilliant and ambitious politician, later Viscount Bolingbroke, involved in Jacobite schemes.

John Lockwood

minor

Also known as Lockwood, old Lockwood, honest John Lockwood, Jack Lockwood

The loyal old porter at Castlewood who serves the family faithfully.

Colonel Westbury

minor

Also known as Westbury, Captain Westbury, honest Colonel Westbury

A fellow officer and friend of Henry Esmond in the army.

Jonathan Swift

minor

Also known as Mr. Swift, Swift, Dr. Swift, the famous Dr. Swift

The famous satirist and writer, a friend of the literary circle in London.

Clotilda

minor

Also known as the lovely Clotilda, The gentle Clotilda

A young woman Frank Castlewood marries while abroad in Flanders.

Mrs. Tusher

minor

Also known as Mrs. Thomas Tusher, Madame Tusher

Tom Tusher's wife, a former servant at Castlewood.

King James II

minor

Also known as King James, the unfortunate King James, James the Third

The deposed Catholic king whose restoration is plotted by Jacobites.

Queen Anne

minor

Also known as Princess Anne of Denmark, Anne, the Princess Anne

The reigning queen of England during much of the story.

Lord Mohun (second)

minor

Also known as Mohun, My Lord Mohun Comes Among Us for No Good There

A separate mention of Lord Mohun in a later context.

Francis Atterbury

minor

Also known as Mr. Atterbury, Atterbury, Bishop Atterbury, the Dean

A bishop and Jacobite conspirator involved in plots against the crown.

Captain Macartney

minor

Also known as Macartney

An officer involved in the duel that kills the Duke of Hamilton.

Nancy Sievewright

minor

Also known as Nancy, Sievewright

A young woman from Castlewood village who catches young Henry's eye.

Lord Ashburnham

minor

Also known as my Lord Ashburnham

A suitor for Beatrix's hand mentioned in the later part of the story.

Matthew Prior

minor

Also known as Mr. Prior, Prior

A poet and diplomat, part of the literary circle in London.

John Gay

minor

Also known as Mr. Gay

A poet and playwright, friend of Swift and Pope.

Lady Masham

minor

Also known as Mrs. Masham, the famous Mrs. Masham

A favorite of Queen Anne and a political figure at court.

Prince Eugene

minor

Also known as Prince, Prince Eugene, Eugene

The famous Austrian general who fights alongside Marlborough.

Mrs. Pastoureau

minor

Also known as old Pastoureau, Pastoureau

The mother of Henry Esmond's French hosts during his childhood.

Blaise

minor

Also known as Monsieur Blaise

A servant in the Pastoureau household in France.

Sir George Esmond

minor

Also known as Sir George, George

A relative of the Esmond family mentioned in the family history.

Isabella Esmond

minor

Also known as Isabella, Isabel Esmond, Isabel

The wife of Thomas Esmond, the third Viscount Castlewood.

Mademoiselle Meruel

minor

Also known as Mademoiselle

A French actress and acquaintance of the Dowager Lady Castlewood.

Monsieur Rigaud

minor

Also known as Rigaud

A French painter who paints a portrait of Henry Esmond.

Chevalier de St. George

minor

Also known as the Chevalier de St. George, The Chevalier, James the Third

The Jacobite pretender to the British throne, son of James II.

Lord Oxford

minor

Also known as Mortimer, my Lord Oxford and Mortimer, Oxford

A politician and Lord Treasurer under Queen Anne.

General Cadogan

minor

Also known as Cadogan, Mr. Cadogan, Major-General Cadogan

A senior officer under Marlborough, involved in military campaigns.

Captain von Holtz

minor

Also known as Captain Holtz, Mr. von Holtz, Mr. Holtz

A mysterious German officer who may be a Jacobite agent.

Lord Blandford

minor

Also known as Blandford, my Lord Marquis of Blandford, poor little Blandford

Marlborough's son, a young nobleman who dies young.

Lady Marlborough

minor

Also known as the Lady Marlborough, my Lady Marlborough, Duchess Sarah

The powerful wife of the Duke of Marlborough and favorite of Queen Anne.

William Congreve

minor

Also known as Mr. Congreve

A famous playwright and wit, part of the literary circle.

Alexander Pope

minor

Also known as Mr. Pope, Pope, The great Mr. Pope

The celebrated poet, mentioned in the literary circle.

Duke of Ormonde

minor

Also known as Ormonde, the Duke of Ormonde

A military commander and Jacobite sympathizer.

Marshal Villars

minor

Also known as Villars, Mareschal Villars

A French general who fights against Marlborough.

Lady Elizabeth Hastings

minor

Also known as Lady Betty, Betty, Elizabeth

A young noblewoman admired by the Spectator club.

Lord Cutts

minor

Also known as my Lord Cutts, Cutts

A military officer known as the 'Salamander' for his bravery.

Sir John Fenwick

minor

Also known as Sir John

A Jacobite conspirator executed for plotting against William III.

Mr. Freeman

minor

Also known as Freeman

A pseudonym used by the Duke of Marlborough in correspondence.

Mrs. Bracegirdle

minor

Also known as Bracegirdle

A famous actress of the Restoration stage.

Lord Gerard

minor

Also known as Digby Lord Gerard, the Lord Gerard

A nobleman involved in the Jacobite plots.

Mr. Bridge

minor

Also known as Bridge

A servant or official in the Castlewood household.

Mrs. Worksop

minor

Also known as old Mrs. Worksop

A housekeeper or servant at Castlewood.

Mr. Leach

minor

Also known as Leach, honest Mr. Leach, poor Leach

A fellow soldier and friend of Henry Esmond in the army.

Captain Dubois

minor

A French officer encountered during the campaigns.

General Lumley

minor

Also known as Lumley

A British general serving under Marlborough.

General Churchill

minor

Also known as Churchill

A relative of the Duke of Marlborough, also a military officer.

Lord Stair

minor

A Scottish nobleman and diplomat mentioned in the story.

Robert Harley

minor

Also known as Mr. Harley, Harley

A politician and later Earl of Oxford, involved in government.

Monsieur Baptiste

minor

Also known as Baptiste

A French servant or attendant in the story.

Lubin

minor

A French peasant or servant character in the narrative.

Monsieur Simon

minor

Also known as Mr. Simon

A French acquaintance or servant encountered abroad.

Victoire

minor

Also known as Madame Victoire

A French woman, possibly a servant or relative of the Pastoureaus.

Jack Churchill

minor

Also known as Jack, Churchill

A soldier, possibly a relative of the Duke of Marlborough.

Roger Sterne

minor

Also known as Roger

A fellow soldier in the regiment with Henry Esmond.

Mr. Bates

minor

A minor character, possibly a servant or official.

Mr. George

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.

Old Pincot

minor

Also known as Pincot, Mrs. Pincot

An elderly servant or retainer at Castlewood.

General Wilkes

minor

Also known as Wilkes

A military officer mentioned in the campaigns.

Jack Shafto

minor

Also known as Jack

A young man about town, friend of the literary set.

Cymon Wyldoats

minor

Also known as Cymon

A character mentioned in the Spectator paper within the story.

Eustace Esmond

minor

A relative of the Esmond family mentioned in the genealogy.

Mrs. Lucy

minor

A servant or minor character in the household.

Dr. A—

minor

A doctor mentioned in passing, possibly Atterbury.

Mrs. Tucker

minor

Also known as Tucker

A minor character, possibly a servant.

Mr. Collier

minor

Also known as Collier, good old Mr. Collier

A clergyman or scholar mentioned in the story.

Lord Firebrace

minor

Also known as Firebrace

A nobleman mentioned in the social circle.

Lord Churchill

minor

Also known as little Lord Churchill

The son of the Duke of Marlborough.

Mr. Cardonnel

minor

Also known as Cardonnel

Marlborough's secretary, a minor official.

Hopson

minor

A soldier or officer mentioned in the campaigns.

Lord Halifax

minor

Also known as Halifax

A politician and patron of literature.