Character guide

John Trenchard

major

Also known as John, Trenchard, the said John Trenchard, Master Trenchard, Mr. Trenchard

An orphan boy in Moonfleet whose hunger for buried treasure and a smuggler's secrets draws him from boyhood into a life of danger, loyalty, and hard-won manhood.

Elzevir Block

major

Also known as Elzevir, grim old Elzevir Block, Block, Master Elzevir, Dear Master Elzevir, poor Elzevir, Master Block, Mr. Block

The grim, grief-scarred innkeeper of the Mohune Arms, whose fierce loyalty to a dead son and a hunted boy makes him both protector and outlaw.

Grace Maskew

supporting

Also known as Gracie, old Maskew, Maskew, Only Grace, Grace

The magistrate's daughter, tawny-haired and quietly steadfast, whose loyalty to John survives her father's cruelty and the village's contempt for her name.

Mr. Maskew

supporting

Also known as old fox Maskew, Mister Maskew, Yet Maskew, Milton Maskew

The miserly magistrate who bought the ruined Mohune estate and set every smuggler and neighbor against him by hunting contraband and trespassers alike.

Ratsey

supporting

Also known as Master Ratsey, fugleman Ratsey

A weathered Moonfleet smuggler and loyal friend, whose flasks, gossip, and steady nerve keep John and Elzevir tethered to the village they can no longer enter.

Blackbeard

supporting

Also known as Father Blackbeard, this Colonel John Mohune, whom we call Blackbeard

The legendary Colonel John Mohune, called Blackbeard, whose ghost, buried treasure, and unfinished penance haunt Moonfleet's vaults and every fortune-hunter who enters them.

Reverend Mr. Glennie

supporting

Also known as The Reverend Mr. Glennie, Mr. Glennie, Master Glennie, Glennie, Parson Glennie, Parson Glennie—who

Glennie keeps a ragged school in the old almshouse hall, where John Trenchard learns his letters and watches the parson stand his ground against the bullying magistrate Maskew. When Maskew storms in to rage over verses carved for a dead smuggler, Glennie answers with quiet, unshaken principle, refusing to be cowed from pulpit or gravestone. His stubborn decency gives young John an early model of courage, and his willingness to speak for men the village would rather forget quietly seeds the boy's sympathy for Moonfleet's outcasts.

John Mohune

minor

Also known as Colonel Mohune, Mohune, this Colonel John Mohune, John, Colonel John Mohune

The historical Colonel John Mohune, whose treasure is sought after.

Mr. Aldobrand

minor

Also known as Aldobrand, Krispijn Aldobrand, this Aldobrand, the said Krispijn Aldobrand

A Dutch merchant involved in the smuggling trade.

Aunt Jane

minor

John's aunt who takes him in after his parents' death.

David Block

minor

Also known as David, young David

Elzevir's son, who dies early in the story.

Mr. Bailiff

minor

Also known as bailiff

The local bailiff who enforces the law.

Damen of Ringstave

minor

Also known as Damen

A smuggler from Ringstave.

Master Turnkey

minor

The jailer at the local prison.

Cracky Jones

minor

A smuggler and member of the Mohune gang.

Granny Tucker

minor

Also known as jumps Granny Tucker

An elderly villager in Moonfleet.

Heer Roosten

minor

Also known as the said Heer Roosten

A Dutch sea captain involved in smuggling.

Ringstave

minor

Also known as Greening of Ringstave, Greening

A smuggler from Ringstave village.

Mr. Clerk

minor

A clerk who assists in legal matters.

Parmiter

minor

Also known as honest Parmiter

A villager and friend of Elzevir.

Lander Jordan

minor

Also known as Jordan, Captain Jordan

A sea captain involved in the smuggling trade.

Sam Tewkesbury

minor

Also known as Sam, Tewkesbury

A villager and friend of John.

Tom Tewkesbury

minor

A villager and relative of Sam.

Miss Arnold

minor

A schoolteacher in Moonfleet.

Old Mother Veitch

minor

An elderly woman in the village.

Dr. Hawkins

minor

A doctor who treats injuries in the story.

Old Guy

minor

A minor character mentioned in the village.

Fred Burt

minor

A villager and friend of John.

Ephraim

minor

A minor character mentioned in passing.