When Charles the First Was King · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in When Charles the First Was King by J. S. Fletcher.
Narrator
major
Also known as Unknown, your, mine, thou, I
The first-person narrator and protagonist, a young man from a yeoman family in Yorkshire.
Ben Tuckett
major
Also known as Master Ben Tuckett, Master Ben, Ben, old Ben, Master Tuckett, Ben Tuckett, worthy Ben Tuckett, Master Benjamin, Benjamin, Even Ben Tuckett, Benny, Honest Ben, Good Ben, Old Benny
A loyal and honest servant to the narrator's family, deeply devoted and kind-hearted.
Rose Lisle
major
Also known as Lisle, Rose, Mistress Rose, Mistress Rose yonder, Mistress Rose Lisle, Dear Mistress Rose, Hebe
The beautiful and spirited daughter of Philip Lisle, beloved by the narrator.
Jack Drumbleforth
major
Also known as Jack, this Jack Drumbleforth, Drumbleforth
The narrator's close friend and companion, a bold and adventurous young man.
Philip Lisle
supporting
Also known as Philip, honest Philip
A Royalist gentleman and father of Rose, a proud and honorable man.
Jacob Trusty
supporting
Also known as Jacob, old Jacob, Trusty
An old and faithful servant of the Lisle family, wise and protective.
Dennis Watson
supporting
Also known as a Watson, Dennis Watson, This Dennis, Dennis, Watson, Master Watson, This Watson, Master Dennis Watson
A cunning and antagonistic neighbor, often causing trouble for the narrator.
Lucy
supporting
Also known as Lucy, Benjamin Tuckett, Ben Tuckett, poor Ben Tuckett, Tuckett, poor Lucy, Mistress Dale, Mistress Lucy, Mistress Lucy Dale, Mrs. Dale
A gentle and kind-hearted young woman, beloved by Ben Tuckett.
Will Dale
supporting
Also known as Will, Master Dale, Dale, poor Will, Will yonder, Bill, Will Dale yonder, William Dale, William, Master William, Mr. William Dale
A yeoman farmer and neighbor, a solid and reliable man.
Captain Ready
supporting
Also known as Captain Trevor, Captain, Trevor
A dashing Royalist cavalry officer who becomes a key ally and friend.
Parson Drumbleforth
supporting
Also known as Parson Drumbleforth, Master Drumbleforth, Master John, Master John Drumbleforth, John Drumbleforth, John, Mr. John Drumbleforth, An Master John, poor Master John, the Reverend Nathaniel Drumbleforth
The local clergyman and father of Jack, a learned and principled man.
Oliver Cromwell
supporting
Also known as This Cromwell, Cromwell, General Cromwell, General Oliver Cromwell, Master Cromwell
The formidable Parliamentarian general, a key figure in the Civil War.
Rupert Watson
supporting
Also known as Rupert Watson of Castle Hill, Watson, Rupert, one Rupert Watson, this Master Rupert Watson, Master Watson
A wealthy and arrogant neighbor, a rival and antagonist to the narrator.
Master Lisle
minor
Also known as Master Lisle
The father of Philip Lisle, an elderly and respected gentleman.
The Stranger
supporting
Also known as the stranger, The stranger
A mysterious figure who appears late in the story with a crucial secret.
John Sanderson
minor
Also known as John Sanderson, John
A friend and fellow soldier fighting for the Royalist cause.
Old Deborah
minor
Also known as old Deborah, Deborah, Mistress Deborah, Mistress Deborah , who had come over to give us the benefit of her experience for that day
An elderly servant woman, wise in domestic matters.
Prince Rupert
minor
Also known as Prince Rupert, Rupert
The dashing Royalist cavalry commander, nephew of King Charles I.
Master Nicholas Pratt
minor
Also known as Master Nicholas Pratt, Master Pratt, Pratt, Nicholas Pratt, old Master Pratt
A local merchant and magistrate, a figure of authority.
Master Geoffrey Oldthwaite
minor
Also known as Master Geoffrey Oldthwaite, Master Oldthwaite, old Master Oldthwaite
An elderly and respected neighbor, a friend to the narrator's family.
Sir Thomas Fairfax
minor
Also known as Sir Thomas Fairfax, Fairfax, the Parliamentary troops under Sir Thomas Fairfax and Colonel Lambert, Colonel Lambert, Sir Thomas, Lord Fairfax, General Fairfax
The commander-in-chief of the Parliamentarian army.
Colonel Cotterel
minor
Also known as one Colonel Cotterel, Colonel Cotterel, Cotterel
A Royalist officer commanding a garrison at Pontefract Castle.
Caesar
minor
Also known as Caesar
Philip Lisle's magnificent and loyal horse.
Colonel Morrice
minor
Also known as Morrice, Colonel Morrice
A Royalist officer involved in the defense of Pontefract Castle.
Dr. Parsons
minor
Also known as Dr. Parsons, the Reverend Dr. Parsons
A learned clergyman and physician, a friend of Parson Drumbleforth.
Master Brewer
minor
Also known as Master Brewer
A local tradesman and neighbor.
Tom Gascoyne
minor
Also known as Tom Gascoyne, Tom, Gascoyne
A young man from the neighborhood, a friend of the narrator.
Lord Newcastle
minor
Also known as Lord Newcastle, Newcastle, the Marquis of Newcastle, Marquis, The Marquis of Newcastle
A prominent Royalist commander in the north of England.
Dumpling
minor
Also known as Dumpling, Whereupon , Dumpling, Shake Dumpling
The narrator's faithful and clever dog.
Master Goodfellow
minor
Also known as Master Goodfellow
A friendly and helpful neighbor.
Timothy Grass
minor
Also known as Timothy Grass, Timothy
A local farmer and acquaintance.
Lawyer Hook
minor
Also known as Lawyer Hook, Mr. Hook
A local lawyer involved in legal matters.
Sir William Lowther
minor
Also known as Sir William Lowther, William
A local Royalist gentleman and landowner.
Black Phil
minor
Also known as Black Phil, Phyllis
A servant or worker on the Lisle estate.
Mr. William Shakespeare
minor
Also known as Mr. William Shakespeare, Mr. Shakespeare, Master William, William
The famous playwright, quoted or referenced by characters.
Thomas Thorpe
minor
Also known as Thomas Thorpe, Tom Thorpe, Tom
A local man, possibly a servant or tradesman.
Colonel Lowther
minor
Also known as Colonel Lowther, Colonel Lowther hath
A Parliamentarian officer.
Captain Wheatley
minor
Also known as Captain Wheatley, Captain
A Royalist officer.
Mrs. Parsons
minor
Also known as Mrs. Parsons
The wife of Dr. Parsons.
Colonel Eury
minor
Also known as Colonel Eury
A Parliamentarian officer at the siege of Pontefract.
Belwether
minor
Also known as Belwether, Master Belwether
A local farmer or tradesman.
Francis Wood
minor
Also known as Francis Wood, young Francis Wood, Frank Wood
A young man from the neighborhood.
Earl of Essex
minor
Also known as Essex, The Earl of Essex
A Parliamentarian general.
Sir Marmaduke Langdale
minor
Also known as Sir Marmaduke Langdale, Langdale
A Royalist cavalry commander.
Master Gregory
minor
Also known as Gregory, Master Gregory
A local man, possibly a schoolmaster or clergyman.
Colonel Sands
minor
Also known as Colonel Sands
A Parliamentarian officer.
Earl of Leven
minor
Also known as the Scotch forces under the command of Leslie , Earl of Leven, Leslie, Earl of Leven, Leven, Scotch, the Scotch
The commander of the Scottish Covenanter army.
Old Mother Robey
minor
Also known as old Mother Robey
An elderly woman in the neighborhood.
Dorothy
minor
Also known as Dorothy
A servant or young woman in the household.
General Poyntz
minor
Also known as General Poyntz
A Parliamentarian commander.
Farmer Denby
minor
Also known as Farmer Denby, Farmer
A local farmer.
Will Stripe
minor
Also known as not Will Stripe, Will
A local man, possibly a laborer.
Lawyer Sharpe
minor
Also known as Lawyer Sharpe, Sharpe
A local lawyer.
Mr. John Hampden
minor
Also known as Mr. John Hampden, Hampden
A prominent Parliamentarian politician, mentioned as a historical figure.
Old Master Hull
minor
Also known as old Master Hull, Master Hull
An elderly neighbor.
Sir William Langdale
minor
Also known as Sir William Langdale, William
A Royalist knight.
Lord Manchester
minor
Also known as Lord Manchester, Manchester
A Parliamentarian commander.
Job Trotter
minor
Also known as Job Trotter
A local man, possibly a servant.
Master Truelove
minor
Also known as Master Truelove
A local man, possibly a tradesman.
