# Jeremy Stickles — Lorna Doone character guide > Jeremy Stickles in Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Master Jeremy Stickles, Jeremy, Master Stickles, Master Jeremy, Jerry, Stickles, Therefore Stickles, spy Stickles, poor Stickles, Colonel Stickles, poor Jeremy, Jeremy Stickles, Colonel Jeremiah Stickles, Captain Stickles, Stickles, Captain, Captain Stickles **First appearance:** 0022-xxiii-a-royal-invitation ## Snapshot A self-important royal messenger who carries the King's secrets into Exmoor and finds John Ridd a useful, if unsupple, ally. ## Who they are Stickles arrives in the West Country with a signet, a commission, and a very high opinion of his own brains, which he is happy to explain to anyone he deems trustworthy. He binds John to secrecy about plots, dukes, and the public weal, treating the whole affair as a game only he can unravel. His night journeys and whispered politics drag the quiet Ridd farm into the larger dangers of the kingdom. ## Relationships ### [John Ridd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters/john_ridd) _friendship_ Jeremy Stickles is a King's messenger and a loyal friend to John, often aiding him in dangerous missions. ### [Lorna Doone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters/lorna_doone) _friendship_ Jeremy Stickles is a friend and ally to Lorna, helping to protect her and facilitate her relationship with John. ### [John Ridd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters/john_ridd) _friendship_ Jeremy Stickles is a King's messenger and a loyal friend to John, often aiding him in dangerous missions. ### [Lorna Doone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters/lorna_doone) _friendship_ Jeremy Stickles is a friend and ally to Lorna, helping to protect her and facilitate her relationship with John. ### [John Ridd](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters/john_ridd) _friendship_ Jeremy Stickles is a King's messenger and a loyal friend to John, often aiding him in dangerous missions. ### [Lorna Doone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters/lorna_doone) _friendship_ Jeremy Stickles is a friend and ally to Lorna, helping to protect her and facilitate her relationship with John. ## In the story ### [A Royal Invitation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxiii-a-royal-invitation) The King's officer who delivers the summons and delays their departure to enjoy the Ridds' hospitality. ### [A Safe Pass for King's Messenger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxiv-a-safe-pass-for-king-s-messenger) King's officer who accompanies John to London, provides companionship and humor, and helps navigate the journey. ### [A Great Man Attends to Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxv-a-great-man-attends-to-business) Mentioned as the special messenger who brought John to London. ### [John Is Drained and Cast Aside](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxvi-john-is-drained-and-cast-aside) Finds John in distress, lends him five pounds without receipt, and offers cynical advice. ### [Home Again at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxvii-home-again-at-last) Mentioned as having paid for horse-hire on the journey to London, contrasting with John's walking return. ### [Feeding of the Pigs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxxii-feeding-of-the-pigs) Mentioned as having given hints about unrest; his warnings contribute to John's unease. ### [John Returns to Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxxvi-john-returns-to-business) Royal agent stationed at the Ridd farm; confides in John about his mission regarding the Duke of Monmouth; a rift grows between them after John's anger. ### [A Good Turn for Jeremy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-good-turn-for-jeremy) King's messenger; allied with John Fry, but later reconciled with John Ridd after being saved from an ambush. ### [A Troubled State and a Foolish Joke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxxix-a-troubled-state-and-a-foolish-joke) Stickles reveals his plan to assault Doone Valley and discusses the political situation, including the threat of rebellion and the King's strategy. ### [A Change Long Needed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xlv-a-change-long-needed) Mentioned as having gone south to muster forces against the Doones, but delayed by the frost. ### [Jeremy in Danger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xlvii-jeremy-in-danger) Returns to Plover's Barrows after being chased by three Doones; recounts his escape at Landacre Bridge. ### [XLVIII: Every Man Must Defend Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xlviii-every-man-must-defend-himself) Jeremy Stickles returns from his journey without an army due to county disputes and bad weather. ### [XLIX: Maiden Sentinels Are Best](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xlix-maiden-sentinels-are-best) Orders the men to fire on the Doones, advises against pursuit, and later shares cynical views on women with John. ### [LII: The Way to Make the Cream Rise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/lii-the-way-to-make-the-cream-rise) Jeremy returns with plans for the attack on the Doones and warns John about the serious consequences of losing the jewels. ### [Jeremy Finds Out Something](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/liii-jeremy-finds-out-something) Relates his investigation and the story of Benita. ### [Mutual Discomfiture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/liv-mutual-discomfiture) King's Commissioner; reveals discovery of Lorna's parentage and insists on secrecy; leads the assault. ### [Getting Into Chancery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/lv-getting-into-chancery) Lies wounded and feverish; Annie Ridd tends to him. His illness leaves the household without leadership and delays John's plans. ### [John Becomes Too Popular](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/lvi-john-becomes-too-popular) Recovering from his wound; John reviles Sergeant Bloxham to encourage him. ### [Falling Among Lambs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/lxv-falling-among-lambs) Intervenes to save John Ridd from execution by Colonel Kirke, claiming him as his own prisoner. ### [Suitable Devotion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/lxvi-suitable-devotion) Jeremy advises John to seek an order for his despatch to London and uses his influence to arrange a meeting with Lord Churchill. ### [Compelled to Volunteer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/lxx-compelled-to-volunteer) Referenced as Commander Stickles in the context of a previous attack on the Doones. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters/jeremy_stickles - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/lorna_doone_se/characters