← All characters

Hadrian the Seventh · Character

Cardinal Sterling

An English cardinal who supports Hadrian.

minor

Also known as Sterling, Mr. Sterling

First appearance: xii

Cardinal Sterling shows up with force in V. The page is where that presence becomes real.

The Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria Nuova, who provides financial information to Hadrian and is tasked with moving the safe.
In the storyVOpen this moment free

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

In V: The Cardinal-Deacon of Santa Maria Nuova, who provides financial information to Hadrian and is tasked with moving the safe. Later,…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Cardinal Sterling sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Cardinal Sterling in xii

Character Web

23 connections

A slice of how Cardinal Sterling sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

PLPope LeoCLCardinal Leigh…CCCardinal CarvaleGSGeorge SemphillHVHadrian VIICSCardinal Sterling

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Papal court and allies
  • Protagonist

+18 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Closing

In this scene, Hadrian reaches an emotional and psychological peak by violently rejecting his own past efforts…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

Cardinal Sterling appears across 4 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Cardinal Sterling unlock in the free preview.

See Cardinal Sterling in xii