# John Heritage — Huntingtower character guide > John Heritage in Huntingtower by John Buchan. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mr. John Heritage, Mr. Heritage, Heritage, Danish Brig Mr. John Heritage **First appearance:** 0004-ii-of-mr-john-heritage-and-the-difference-in-points-of-view ## Snapshot A young poet with a game leg and a soldier's instincts, hiding in a Galloway cottage, who turns out to be the first ally Dickson McCunn never knew he needed. ## Who they are Heritage is a man of letters who has been in the war and come out of it with a limp and a restlessness that verse cannot cure. He is hiding in Mrs. Morran's loft when Dickson arrives, and his presence transforms a walking holiday into something far more dangerous. He is brave, sardonic, and reckless in a way that makes him both an asset and a liability to the small band gathering around the mystery of Huntingtower. ## Relationships ### [Dickson McCunn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/dickson_mccunn) _friendship_ Dickson and John form a strong bond of mutual respect and camaraderie as they embark on adventures together. ### [Dougal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/dougal) _friendship_ Dougal and John are comrades, working together effectively in their shared missions. ### [Dobson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/dobson) _rivalry_ Dobson and John are antagonists, with Dobson opposing John's goals and creating conflict. ### [Léon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/leon) _friendship_ John and Léon are close friends and companions, sharing adventures and supporting each other. ### [Dickson McCunn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/dickson_mccunn) _friendship_ Dickson and John form a strong bond of mutual respect and camaraderie as they embark on adventures together. ### [Dickson McCunn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/dickson_mccunn) _friendship_ Dickson and John form a strong bond of mutual respect and camaraderie as they embark on adventures together. ### [Dougal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/dougal) _friendship_ Dougal and John are comrades, working together effectively in their shared missions. ### [Léon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/leon) _friendship_ John and Léon are close friends and companions, sharing adventures and supporting each other. ### [Dougal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/dougal) _friendship_ Dougal and John are comrades, working together effectively in their shared missions. ### [Dobson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/dobson) _rivalry_ Dobson and John are antagonists, with Dobson opposing John's goals and creating conflict. ## In the story ### [Huntingtower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/huntingtower) A young poet who joins Dickson on his adventure and is wounded during the first attack on the house. ### [II: Of Mr. John Heritage and the Difference in Points of View](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/ii-of-mr-john-heritage-and-the-difference-in-points-of-view) Argues for realism and the value of the working class, criticizing Dickson's romanticism. ### [III: How Childe Roland and Another Came to the Dark Tower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/iii-how-childe-roland-and-another-came-to-the-dark-tower) Follows Dickson, explores Dalquharter with him, recognizes the singing voice as the girl from Rome, and insists on staying in the village. ### [IV: Dougal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/iv-dougal) Determined to enter Huntingtower despite Dickson's objections; studies the topography for a reconnaissance. ### [V: Of the Princess in the Tower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/v-of-the-princess-in-the-tower) Orchestrates the camouflage with Dobson, insists on staying to help Saskia, and later returns to Mrs. Morran's via a shortcut. ### [VI: How Mr. McCunn Departed with Relief and Returned with Resolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/vi-how-mr-mccunn-departed-with-relief-and-returned-with-resolution) Observes Dickson's departure from the loft, hiding for obvious reasons. ### [VII: Sundry Doings in the Mirk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/vii-sundry-doings-in-the-mirk) Has entered Huntingtower House via the rocks and veranda, and is a good shot with a pistol. ### [VIII: How a Middle-Aged Crusader Accepted a Challenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/viii-how-a-middle-aged-crusader-accepted-a-challenge) Is present at the top of the cliffs, coiling the rope, and warns Dickson that dangerous events may occur before morning. ### [IX: The First Battle of the Cruives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/ix-the-first-battle-of-the-cruives) Helps plan the siege, expresses willingness to die for Saskia, and coordinates the garrison. ### [X: Deals with an Escape and a Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/x-deals-with-an-escape-and-a-journey) Wounded in the head, tended by Saskia, and left to hold the Tower with the Die-Hards. ### [XI: Gravity Out of Bed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/xi-gravity-out-of-bed) Mentioned as being in love with Saskia, described as having a 'grand passion' that Dickson considers hopeless. ### [How Mr. McCunn Committed an Assault Upon an Ally](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/xii-how-mr-mccunn-committed-an-assault-upon-an-ally) Mentioned as being on guard in the Tower; Dickson recalls his earlier identification of Alexis as an Australian. ### [XIII: The Coming of the Danish Brig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/xiii-the-coming-of-the-danish-brig) Alone in the Tower, he stages a ruse with Saskia's scarf and skirt, prepares to defend the Tower, and later escapes to the parapet after the breach. ### [XIV: The Second Battle of the Cruives](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/xiv-the-second-battle-of-the-cruives) Wounded and sitting on the bottom step after the bomb explosion, sees Saskia in the arms of a tall stranger. ### [XV: The Gorbals Die-Hards Go Into Action](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/xv-the-gorbals-die-hards-go-into-action) Mentioned as possibly dead or trapped in the burning Tower; last seen shooting from a window. ### [XVI: In Which a Princess Leaves a Dark Tower and a Provision Merchant Returns to His Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/xvi-in-which-a-princess-leaves-a-dark-tower-and-a-provision-merchant-returns-to-his-family) Talks with Dickson, expresses joyful acceptance of losing Saskia and plans to write poetry about the experience. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/chapters/endnotes) Mentioned as the creator of the sketch reproduced as the frontispiece. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters/john_heritage - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/huntingtower_se/characters