# King Charles — Chivalry character guide

> King Charles in Chivalry by James Branch Cabell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Charles

**First appearance:** 0004-i-the-story-of-the-sestina

## Snapshot

A king whose wars and policies drug the appetites of men, leaving their consorts to bear the full weight of love as destiny.

## Who they are

Charles belongs to the world of kings who have their policies and wars wherewith to drug each human appetite, while their consorts are denied such makeshifts and must play the game of life upon a loftier, ruthlessly illuminated table. His campaigns and his absence set the stage on which Queen Philippa must choose, and his royal preoccupations stand as the counterweight to the women's more portentous stakes. He matters as the frame of the book's argument: that grandeur sells itself at a hard price, and that a queen's least movement wagers lives and happiness she will never know.

## Relationships

### [John Copeland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/john_copeland)

_professional_

John Copeland serves as a loyal knight and commander under King Charles, executing military orders with unwavering dedication.

### [Osmund Heleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/osmund_heleigh)

_professional_

King Charles relies on Osmund Heleigh as a key minister, valuing his cunning and administrative skills despite occasional mistrust.

### [Edward Maudelain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/edward_maudelain)

_professional_

Edward Maudelain serves as King Charles's scribe and secretary, handling sensitive correspondence with discretion and skill.

### [John Copeland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/john_copeland)

_professional_

John Copeland serves as a loyal knight and commander under King Charles, executing military orders with unwavering dedication.

### [John Copeland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/john_copeland)

_professional_

John Copeland serves as a loyal knight and commander under King Charles, executing military orders with unwavering dedication.

### [Edward Maudelain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/edward_maudelain)

_professional_

Edward Maudelain serves as King Charles's scribe and secretary, handling sensitive correspondence with discretion and skill.

### [Osmund Heleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/osmund_heleigh)

_professional_

King Charles relies on Osmund Heleigh as a key minister, valuing his cunning and administrative skills despite occasional mistrust.

### [Edward Maudelain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/edward_maudelain)

_professional_

Edward Maudelain serves as King Charles's scribe and secretary, handling sensitive correspondence with discretion and skill.

### [Osmund Heleigh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/osmund_heleigh)

_professional_

King Charles relies on Osmund Heleigh as a key minister, valuing his cunning and administrative skills despite occasional mistrust.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters/king_charles
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/chivalry_se/characters