Character guide

Christopher Tietjens

major

Also known as Tietjens, A Tietjens, the miserable Christopher, poor old Christopher, Chris

The main protagonist, a stoic and principled English gentleman facing personal and societal collapse.

Sylvia Tietjens

major

Also known as Mrs. Christopher Tietjens, Mrs. Sylvia, Sylvia

Christopher's beautiful, manipulative, and estranged wife who torments him.

Mark Tietjens

major

Also known as Mark Tietjens of Groby, Groby, Sir Mark Tietjens, Mark

Christopher's older brother, a paralyzed and silent former civil servant, the heir to Groby.

Valentine Wannop

major

Also known as Val, Miss Wannop

A young suffragist and Christopher's devoted companion, living with him in scandal.

Marie Léonie

supporting

Also known as Marie Léonie Riotor, Lady Robinson, Marie

Mark Tietjens' devoted French wife and former mistress, a practical and loyal woman.

Gunning

supporting

Also known as Even Gunning, Old Gunning, gross Gunning

A coarse, wealthy businessman and neighbor who antagonizes the Tietjens family.

Mrs. de Bray Pape

supporting

Also known as Mrs. Millicent de Bray Pape, Mrs. Pape

An American social climber and Sylvia's ally, involved in the Groby estate affairs.

Father Consett

supporting

Also known as Father

A Catholic priest and confidant to Sylvia, offering moral counsel.

Cammy Fittleworth

supporting

Also known as Fittleworth, Cammie

A young, well-meaning but ineffectual aristocrat and friend of the Tietjens.

General Campion

supporting

Also known as Lord Edward Campion, Campion

A senior military officer and family friend, often mediating disputes.

Lady Macmaster

minor

Also known as Macmaster, A Lady Macmaster

A socialite and former acquaintance of Christopher, now a widow.

Lord Fittleworth

minor

Also known as The Earl of Fittleworth

Cammy's father, a powerful and traditional peer of the realm.

Sir John Robertson

minor

Also known as Sir John

A Scottish lawyer and friend of Mark Tietjens, involved in estate matters.

Riotor

minor

Also known as Papist Marie Léonie Riotor

Marie Léonie's brother, a Frenchman with a shady past.

Young Mark

minor

Also known as Mark Junior, nephew Mark

Christopher and Sylvia's son, a young boy sent away to school.

Edith Ethel

minor

Also known as Edith Ethel Duchemin

A former friend of Valentine, now a society hostess.

Helen Lowther

minor

Also known as farmer Lowther

A local farmer's daughter, briefly involved with Christopher.

Cramp

minor

Also known as Miss Cramp, Cabinetmaker Cramp, Mrs. Cramp

A local cabinetmaker and his wife, tenants on the Groby estate.

Mr. Schatzweiler

minor

Also known as Schatzweiler

A Jewish antique dealer and moneylender in London.

Michael Tietjens

minor

Also known as Michael

Christopher's younger brother, a soldier killed in the war.

Mr. de Bray Pape

minor

Also known as Mr. Pape

Mrs. Pape's husband, an American businessman.

Mr. Sylvian Hatt

minor

Also known as Mr. Hatt

A young man who escorts Sylvia, a minor social figure.

Professor Wannop

minor

Also known as the great Professor Wannop

Valentine's deceased father, a noted classical scholar.

Teddy Hope

minor

Also known as Ted

A young man who was once in love with Valentine.

Eleanor Dupont

minor

Also known as Eleanor

Marie Léonie's sister, a Frenchwoman living in England.

Ruggles

minor

Also known as Training Mr. Ruggles

A horse trainer employed by the Tietjens family.

Charlotte

minor

A maid in the Tietjens household.

Young Hogben

minor

A local boy who works as a groom.

Old Campion

minor

General Campion's father, a former military man.

Lady Fittleworth

minor

Lord Fittleworth's wife, a society matron.

Sister Anne

minor

A nun who nurses Mark Tietjens.

Mr. Carter

minor

A local tradesman or servant.

Blum

minor

A Jewish moneylender or dealer, mentioned in passing.

Grandfather Tietjens

minor

Also known as Grandfather

The deceased patriarch of the Tietjens family.