# Sir John Norreys — Midwinter character guide

> Sir John Norreys in Midwinter by John Buchan.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Sir John Norreys of Weston, Norreys, John

**First appearance:** 0005-iii-in-which-private-matters-cut-across-affairs-of-state

## Snapshot

A proud English gentleman and trusted inner-circle Jacobite known as 'Achilles,' whose new young wife believes him gone north to join his Prince.

## Who they are

Sir John Norreys is the husband Lady Norreys speaks of with such tender pride, a man of the trusted inner circle whose absence she bears as her chief sorrow. Yet his movements are not what she believes: he is expected near Brightwell, receiving letters from Edom that carry desperate import to the Prince. The gap between the devoted husband his wife describes and the man actually moving through the plot is one of the story's most unsettling puzzles.

## Relationships

### [Alastair Maclean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/alastair_maclean)

_professional_

Alastair serves as Sir John's trusted agent and enforcer, carrying out his master's covert operations.

### [Duchess Kitty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/duchess_kitty)

_psychological_

Sir John exerts a controlling, manipulative influence over the Duchess, using her as a pawn in his political games.

### [Journeyman John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/journeyman_john)

_professional_

Journeyman John serves as Sir John's servant and occasional informant, though he is more loyal to Alastair.

### [The Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/the_prince)

_professional_

Sir John is a key political advisor to the Prince, manipulating events behind the throne.

### [Alastair Maclean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/alastair_maclean)

_professional_

Alastair serves as Sir John's trusted agent and enforcer, carrying out his master's covert operations.

### [Duchess Kitty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/duchess_kitty)

_psychological_

Sir John exerts a controlling, manipulative influence over the Duchess, using her as a pawn in his political games.

### [Journeyman John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/journeyman_john)

_professional_

Journeyman John serves as Sir John's servant and occasional informant, though he is more loyal to Alastair.

### [Journeyman John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/journeyman_john)

_professional_

Journeyman John serves as Sir John's servant and occasional informant, though he is more loyal to Alastair.

### [Alastair Maclean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/alastair_maclean)

_professional_

Alastair serves as Sir John's trusted agent and enforcer, carrying out his master's covert operations.

## In the story

### [III: In Which Private Matters Cut Across Affairs of State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/iii-in-which-private-matters-cut-across-affairs-of-state)

Discussed as the would-be bridegroom; described by Sir Christopher as a low hound, a scoundrel, and a Jacobite for profit.

### [VI: Introduces the Runaway Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/vi-introduces-the-runaway-lady)

Mentioned as Claudia's new husband; has gone north to join the Prince.

### [How a Man May Hunt with the Hounds and Yet Run with the Hare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/vii-how-a-man-may-hunt-with-the-hounds-and-yet-run-with-the-hare)

Lady Norreys' husband, already in the north with the Prince, known by the code name 'Achilles.' Alastair is to deliver a letter to him.

### [Broom at the Crossroads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/viii-broom-at-the-crossroads)

Referred to as 'Achilles' in Kyd's letter; revealed to be deeply involved in the Jacobite cause.

### [IX: Old England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/ix-old-england)

Suspected of being a traitor; Alastair plans to visit him in Derbyshire.

### [Night at the Same: Two Visitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xi-night-at-the-same-two-visitors)

Revealed as the agent provocateur who profits from treason.

### [XII: The Hut in the Oak Shaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xii-the-hut-in-the-oak-shaw)

Mentioned as Kyd's tool and part of the conspiracy against Alastair and the Prince.

### [XIII: Journeyman John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xiii-journeyman-john)

Sir John Norreys is mentioned as being privy to Alastair's capture and imprisonment, but not to the murder plot involving the Journeyman John.

### [Duchess Kitty on the Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xiv-duchess-kitty-on-the-road)

Claudia's husband, a traitor whom Alastair reserves for personal vengeance.

### [XVI: Bids Farewell to an English Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xvi-bids-farewell-to-an-english-lady)

Has fled to join the Whig Dukes; Alastair vows to intercept him and ensure he dies a hero's death.

### [XVII: Ordeal of Honour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xvii-ordeal-of-honour)

Confronted and disarmed by Alastair; reveals his motives for joining the Jacobites were to please his wife Claudia and improve his fortunes; sentenced to house arrest.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/sir_john_norreys
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters