Character guide

Doctor Syn

major

Also known as The Doctor, Syn, Doctor, Parson Syn, Doctor Syn—he

The beloved vicar of Dymchurch, whose gentle wit and learning hide a past that Mipps calls a 'blinkin' marvel.'

Mipps

major

Also known as Mr. Mipps, Mister Mipps, Sexton Mipps, The Sexton, Mr. Sexton, Mister Sexton, Master Sexton

The coffin-making sexton of Dymchurch, whose dry winks and locked chests suggest he knows far more than he lets on.

Captain Collyer

major

Also known as Captain Howard Collyer, Howard Collyer, Collyer, The Captain, Collywobbles

A naval captain nicknamed Collywobbles, sent to Romney Marsh on grim business that pits duty against the town's charm.

Jerry Jerk

supporting

Also known as young Jerk, Jerk, young Jerry, Jerry, Hangman Jerk, Master Jerry

Dymchurch's potboy and self-declared future hangman, whose bullet head and pluck make him the schoolmaster's private nightmare.

Imogene

supporting

Also known as this Imogene, the Imogene, Supporting Imogene, the dazzling Imogene

The dark-eyed, sea-loving barmaid of the Ship Inn, daughter of a hanged pirate, who laughs at Denis's Latin and his shyness alike.

Denis Cobtree

supporting

Also known as Denis, Mr. Denis, young Denis, Mr. Denis Cobtree, Mister Cobtree, Mister Denis, Cobtree

The squire's book-hating son, who scandalizes his father by vowing to marry a pirate's daughter and means every word.

Clegg

supporting

Also known as VII Clegg, Clegg hisself, old Clegg, a Captain Clegg, scoundrelly Clegg, the real Clegg

The hanged buccaneer whose name still terrifies Romney Marsh, remembered for torturing a mulatto sailor and marooning him on a coral reef.

Sennacherib Pepper

supporting

Also known as Sennacherib, Pepper, old Sennacherib Pepper, Doctor Pepper, old Sennacherib, old Pepper, Poor old Sennacherib, Doctor Sennacherib Pepper, the inoffensive Pepper

The Marsh's hard-drinking physician, whose dark tales of witches and fiery steeds make him both the squire's favorite joke and the village's uneasy oracle.

Mr. Rash

supporting

Also known as Whereat Mr. Rash, Rash, the sandy-haired Mr. Rash, Presently Rash, But Rash, Mister Rash

A Rye lawyer drawn into the courthouse inquiry, navigating the tangled loyalties and secrets that the Marsh's respectable folk would rather keep buried.

Morgan Walters

supporting

Also known as Presently Morgan Walters, Walters

A local landowner and magistrate recruited to impersonate Doctor Syn in a harpoon-trap experiment, bobbing his head like a fairground Aunt Sally.

Job Mallet

supporting

Also known as good Job Mallet

A farmer among the Scarecrow's men, whose knowledge of the Marsh's hidden paths and hiding places makes him useful to more than one master.

Mrs. Waggetts

supporting

Also known as Waggetts, So Mrs. Waggetts, Missus Waggetts

The landlady of the Ship Inn, keeper of Dymchurch's busiest taproom and silent witness to the comings and goings of smugglers and king's men alike.

Antony Whyllie

supporting

Also known as Antony

The blustering squire of Dymchurch, whose fury at his son's barmaid sweetheart collides with his desperate fear of losing the vicar he trusts.

Mrs. Whyllie

minor

Also known as old Mrs. Whyllie, Whyllie, old Whyllie, So Mrs. Whyllie

Antony Whyllie's mother, a widow in Dymchurch.

The Scarecrow

supporting

Also known as Scarecrow, the mysterious Scarecrow, The Scarecrow

A masked figure who moves through the crypt and churchyard by night, laughing with Mipps and commanding the marsh's hidden trade.

Mr. Whyllie

minor

Also known as Mister Whyllie, my foolish Mister Whyllie, Old Mr. Whyllie

Antony Whyllie's father, a foolish old man.

Sir Antony Cobtree

minor

Also known as Sir Antony, Antony Cobtree, Cobtree

A baronet and father of Denis Cobtree.

Bill Spiker

minor

Also known as Spiker, Poor Bill Spiker, Bill

A smuggler and member of the Scarecrow's gang.

Hellspite

minor

A horse owned by Doctor Syn.

Captain Tuffton

minor

Also known as coxcomb Captain Tuffton, Charybdis Captain Tuffton

A foppish naval officer and rival to Captain Collyer.

Mr. Squire

minor

Also known as Squire

A local squire and magistrate.

Ling Fu Quong

minor

Also known as Ling

A Chinese man encountered in Watchbell Street.

Beelzebub

minor

Also known as sally Beelzebub

A name for the devil, used in oaths and references.

Jack Ketch

minor

Also known as Jack Ketch—to old Jack Ketch, Jack

A historical hangman, referenced as a figure of execution.

King George

minor

Also known as King, the King

The reigning monarch, referenced but not appearing.

Pete

minor

A minor character, possibly a sailor or smuggler.

Will Rudrum

minor

Also known as poor Rudrum, poor Will Rudrum

A smuggler who meets a tragic end.

Mrs. Tapsole

minor

Also known as old Mrs. Tapsole

An elderly woman in Dymchurch.

Queen Anne

minor

The former queen, referenced in historical context.

Satan

minor

The devil, referenced in religious and metaphorical contexts.