Lavengro · Characters
Character guide
Key figures in Lavengro by George Borrow.
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Lavengro
major
Also known as the man, the author, me, I
Lavengro drifts through England on foot, trading lessons in Armenian and Romany for bread, shelter, and the company of tinkers, jockeys, and publicans. He is by turns arrogant, curious, and oddly tender, insisting on washing at the pump rather than in number seven, and laying two places at dinner on the off chance a stranger walks in. His hunger to master every tongue and every kind of person drives the book's wandering middle, where each roadside encounter becomes a small education.
Belle
major
Also known as Nanny, Ann Perfrement, Anna, Hannah, Isabella, Belle Berners
Belle keeps house in the dingle with Lavengro, boiling the kettle, waiting for him when he wanders, and refusing to be a passive pupil. She parries his grammar drills with dry warnings that it will all end ill, and her quiet sorrow when he speaks of hating cuts deeper than his lectures. Her stubborn, watchful presence gives the middle chapters their domestic gravity, a counterweight to his rootless philosophizing.
Jasper Petulengro
major
Also known as Mr. Petulengro, Petulengro, wise Jasper
Jasper Petulengro moves between fairs, fights, and fortune-telling, teaching Lavengro the Romany tongue while losing seven pounds to cheating jockeys. He quarrels, is beaten, wins anyway, and by nightfall apologizes with the calm of a man who has made peace with his own temper. His friendship gives the book its richest portrait of gypsy life, and his absences leave Lavengro brooding in the dingle.
Ursula
supporting
Also known as Ursula Penn, Romany chi, sister Ursula
Ursula travels the fairs telling fortunes, dancing, and accepting silk handkerchiefs and trinkets from admirers while guarding her own terms. When Lavengro probes her about temptation, she flares at the implication, threatens mischief, and then sits down anyway to out-argue him on money, honour, and the gorgios. Her frank, unsentimental voice exposes the gap between Lavengro's romantic notions of gypsy freedom and the hard economics of Romany life.
Isopel Berners
major
Also known as Isopel, Berners, Miss Isopel Berners, Miss Berners
Isopel Berners comes and goes from the dingle on her own errands, and her departures unsettle Lavengro more than he will admit. He rehearses a cool reception for her return, then berates himself when the wheels he hears belong to someone else. Her independence and his anxious waiting form the emotional center of the middle chapters, testing whether his philosophy can survive genuine attachment.
The Landlord
supporting
Also known as landlord, my host
The landlord presides over his inn with ceremonial gravity, rubbing his hands over the day's dinner and summoning Jenny to attend the dusty young gentleman. He takes Lavengro's primitive habits in stride, sending the girl along with a clean towel and never once questioning the request. His brief, comic hospitality frames one of the book's most vivid set pieces, a pause of warmth and absurdity in the narrator's wandering.
The Old Man
minor
Also known as old man
An elderly figure who appears in various contexts, often offering wisdom or guidance.
The Jockey
minor
Also known as jockey
A horse-racing enthusiast who interacts with Lavengro at the inn.
The Postillion
minor
Also known as postillion
A coach driver who briefly interacts with Lavengro during his journey.
Francis Ardry
supporting
Also known as the Frank, Frank, Francis, Ardry, Mr. Francis Ardry, Frank Ardry
Francis Ardry is a young Irishman of fortune and fashion, met again by Lavengro in a London coffee-room under the watchful eyes of two guardians who want him to choose the army or the law. He burns through money, dodges every profession offered him, and temporises with the old men who hold his purse until he comes of age. His easy recklessness pulls the reflective narrator out of his books and into the playhouse and the gaming-room, giving the early story its first taste of worldly friendship and its first real temptation.
Murtagh
supporting
Also known as Murtagh
Murtagh is a wandering Irishman bound to Lavengro by Dungarvon schooldays and a shared love of old stories, trading the tale of the snake for the legend of Finn-ma-Coul and the salmon. He is heartsore and voluble, weeping over the past even as he spins out the misfortunes of his youth, including a card game with the Pope that landed him chained in a Roman dungeon for three years. His storytelling voice gives the middle of the book its richest vein of Irish folklore and its warmest, most human companionship.
Peter Williams
supporting
Also known as Peter, the good Peter Williams, the good Peter
Peter Williams is a Welsh preacher whose family Lavengro encounters on the road, and who questions the young man closely about the poisoned cake, the Egyptian sorceress, and whether he bears malice against his enemy. He is drawn to Lavengro yet shadowed by some private grief or guilt, flinching when his wife praises his exhortation and muttering that he has forgotten what he is. His grave, searching presence turns a roadside accident into a meditation on faith and conscience, anchoring the book's middle stretch in genuine spiritual tension.
Winifred
minor
Also known as Winifred
A woman associated with the stranger, who appears in a tense scene with Lavengro.
The Stranger
minor
Also known as stranger
A mysterious figure who confronts Lavengro and Winifred in a dramatic encounter.
Mrs. Herne
minor
Also known as Herne, Mrs. Herne
An old Romany woman who curses Lavengro and is a figure of superstition.
The Priest
supporting
Also known as priest
The priest belongs to the world of roadside argument and clerical authority that Lavengro keeps colliding with on his travels, a foil for the young man's restless, self-taught opinions on religion. Their exchanges set the narrator's Protestant, bookish independence against the priest's institutional certainty, and the friction is as much about class and nation as doctrine. He matters because he sharpens the book's running debate over faith, learning, and who gets to speak for either.
Mr. Hunter
minor
Also known as Hunter, Mr. Hunter
A gentleman who hires Lavengro for a task and becomes a minor antagonist.
Old Fulcher
minor
Also known as old Fulcher, Fulcher, young Fulcher
A boxer and publican who interacts with Lavengro in the sporting world.
Taggart
minor
Also known as Taggart
A friend of Lavengro from his London days, involved in literary circles.
Jack Dale
minor
Also known as Jack, Whitefeather, Lord Whitefeather, Lord Screw
A colorful character, a jockey and horse dealer with a roguish reputation.
Tawno Chikno
minor
Also known as Tawno, Chikno
A Romany man, husband to Mrs. Chikno, who appears in gypsy gatherings.
Shorsha
minor
Also known as Shorsha
A Romany woman, possibly a relative of Jasper, who interacts with Lavengro.
Sergeant Bagg
minor
Also known as Bagg, Sergeant Bagg
A military man who appears in a scene with Lavengro.
The Flaming Tinman
minor
Also known as Flaming Tinman, the Tinman
A tinker and boxer who challenges Lavengro to a fight.
Mr. Parkinson
minor
Also known as Parkinson, the poet Parkinson, Mr. Parkinson
A poet and acquaintance of Lavengro in London literary circles.
The Reverend Mr. Platitude
minor
Also known as Mr. Platitude, Reverend Mr. Platitude, Platitude, Poor Platitude
A clergyman who debates with Lavengro about religion and politics.
The Armenian
minor
Also known as Armenian, the Armenian
A merchant and scholar who discusses language and culture with Lavengro.
The Hungarian
minor
Also known as Hungarian, the Hungarian
A traveler who shares stories of Hungary with Lavengro.
George Borrow
minor
Also known as George, Borrow, George Borrow
The author himself, occasionally referenced as a character in the narrative.
The Master of the House
minor
Also known as master of the house
The owner of a lodging house where Lavengro stays.
Mrs. Chikno
minor
Also known as Mrs. Chikno
A Romany woman, wife of Tawno Chikno, who appears in gypsy scenes.
Ab Gwilym
minor
Also known as Gwilym, the great Ab Gwilym
A Welsh poet referenced in discussions of Welsh literature.
The Romany Rye
minor
Also known as Romany Rye, Mr. Romany Rye, Mr. Rye, Mr. Romany, Rye
A title used for Lavengro, meaning 'Gypsy Gentleman' in Romany.
Leonora
minor
Also known as Leonora, Dame Eleanor Fenn
A woman from Lavengro's past, possibly a childhood acquaintance.
The Tinker
minor
Also known as Tinker, Flying Tinker
A traveling tinker who crosses paths with Lavengro.
Lieutenant William Bligh
minor
Also known as Bligh, Lieutenant William Bligh
Historical figure mentioned in discussions of naval history.
Jerry Grant
minor
Also known as Jerry Grant, Grant, Jerry
A boxer and associate of the sporting fraternity.
Mary
minor
Also known as Mary, Grey Moll, Moll, Grey
A woman from the criminal underworld mentioned in stories.
Sylvester
minor
Also known as Sylvester
A Romany man who interacts with Lavengro.
Lord Byron
minor
Also known as Byron, this Byron
The poet, referenced in literary discussions.
William Wallace
minor
Also known as Willie Wallace, William Wallace, Wallace, Charlie, William, Willie, Wullie, Wullie Wallace
Scottish hero referenced in discussions of history and freedom.
Annette La Noire
minor
Also known as Annette La Noire, Annette
A French woman who appears in a scene with Lavengro.
Jack Slingsby
minor
Also known as Jack Slingsby, Slingsby, This Slingsby, Jack
A horse dealer and associate of the sporting world.
Mrs. Hearne
minor
Also known as Mrs. Hearne
A Romany woman, possibly related to Mrs. Herne.
Tom Oliver
minor
Also known as Tom Oliver, Oliver, noble Tom, Thomas, Thomas Oliver
A boxer and friend of Lavengro in the sporting circles.
Brother
minor
Also known as Brother
A term used for a religious or fraternal figure.
Tom of Hopton
minor
Also known as Tom of Hopton, Thomas d’Éterville, Tom
A historical figure mentioned in discussions of English history.
Joseph Sell
minor
Also known as Joey, Joe, Joseph Sell, This Joseph Sell, Sell
A writer and acquaintance of Lavengro in London.
Captain Thomas Borrow
minor
Also known as Capt . Thomas Borrow, Thomas Borrow, Thomas, Borrow, Capt, Capt . Borrow
A relative of George Borrow, mentioned in the narrative.
Wild Davy
minor
Also known as wild Davy, David, David Haggart, Davie, Haggart
A criminal and boxer mentioned in stories of the underworld.
The Jew Mousha
minor
Also known as the Jew Mousha 108, Mousha
A Jewish character who appears in a scene with Lavengro.
Sergeant Broughton
minor
Also known as Broughton, old Sergeant Broughton, Sergeant Broughton, Brave old Broughton, old Broughton
A historical boxer and trainer, referenced in sporting discussions.
Napoleon
minor
Also known as Napoleon, Napoleon Bonaparte, Bonaparte
French emperor referenced in political and historical discussions.
King George
minor
Also known as King George, Geordie, George, good old George, old gouty George, gouty George
British monarch referenced in political discussions.
Saul
minor
Also known as Saul
Biblical figure referenced in religious discussions.
Mikailia Chikno
minor
Also known as Mikailia Chikno, Mikailia
A Romany woman, possibly related to Tawno Chikno.
Hunyadi John
minor
Also known as Hunyadi, John, Hunyadi John
A historical figure referenced in discussions about Hungarian history.
Jesus
minor
Also known as Jesus, Christ, Jesus Christ, delicate Jesus
Referenced in religious discussions and debates throughout the book.
Finn Mac Coul
minor
Also known as Finn, Finn - ma - Coul
A legendary Irish hero mentioned in conversations about folklore.
Black Jack
minor
Also known as Black Jack, Jack
A boxer and rough character who appears in the sporting underworld.
Arrah
minor
Also known as Arrah
A Romany woman who appears in gypsy gatherings.
John Bull
minor
Also known as John Bull, old honest John Bull, Bull, Glorious John, Honest John Bull
A personification of England, used in political commentary.
Sigurd
minor
Also known as Sigurd, Sigurd Fafnisbane
A legendary Norse hero mentioned in discussions of mythology.
Mumbo Jumbo
minor
Also known as Mumbo Jumbo, old Mumbo
A figure used in discussions of superstition and religion.
La Margutte
minor
Also known as la Margutte, Margutte
A character from Italian literature referenced in conversations.
The Master
minor
Also known as master
A generic term for a person in authority, used in various contexts.
Old Parr
minor
Also known as Parr, Old Parr, old Parr
Historical figure known for longevity, mentioned in passing.
Thistlewood
minor
Also known as Thistlewood, Ings, Thistlewood and Ings
Historical conspirator in the Cato Street Conspiracy, mentioned briefly.
Shakespeare
minor
Also known as Shakespeare
The playwright, referenced in literary discussions.
Dante
minor
Also known as Dante, Monsieur Dante, this Dante
The Italian poet, referenced in literary discussions.
Krishna
minor
Also known as Krishna
Hindu deity mentioned in discussions of religion.
Mary Fulcher
minor
Also known as Mary Fulcher, Mary Fulcher—I
A woman associated with Old Fulcher, possibly his daughter.
Ben Brain
minor
Also known as Brain, Ben Brain, Benjamin Brain, Big Ben, Ben
A famous boxer from history, mentioned in sporting contexts.
Master Ellis Wyn
minor
Also known as Master Ellis Wyn, Ellis Wyn
A Welsh writer referenced in discussions of Welsh literature.
Ned Flatnose
minor
Also known as Ned Flatnose, Ned, Ned Flatnose ”
A boxer and rough character from the sporting world.
Horncastle
minor
Also known as Horncastle
A horse fair location mentioned in the narrative.
Kean
minor
Also known as Kean, Kean hollow
The actor Edmund Kean, referenced in theatrical discussions.
Moses
minor
Also known as Moses, Ugly Moses
A Jewish character, possibly a moneylender or dealer.
William Pitt
minor
Also known as Pitt, Billy Pitt, Bill, old Bill, William
British statesman referenced in political discussions.
Gorgiko Brown
minor
Also known as Brown, Gorgiko Brown
A boxer and associate of the sporting fraternity.
Matyas Corvinus
minor
Also known as Corvinus, Matyas, Matyas Corvinus
Hungarian king referenced in historical discussions.
Johnson
minor
Also known as Johnson
A boxer or associate mentioned in sporting contexts.
