# Sir Throckmorton — Privy Seal character guide

> Sir Throckmorton in Privy Seal by Ford Madox Ford.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Throckmorton, Sir Throckmorton, one Throckmorton

**First appearance:** 0004-i

## Snapshot

A foxy courtier with laughing eyes and a great beard, he has wagered his neck on Katharine Howard's rise and cannot afford her conscience.

## Who they are

Sir Throckmorton has lied to Privy Seal on Katharine's behalf, worked for her for months without thanks, and now finds his safety knotted to hers. He warns her that a cavalcade to Windsor is folly, that the Queen is no friend, and that if she is not Queen soon, Cromwell's teeth will close on them all. He claims he cannot sleep for thinking of her fairness, yet his fear is as much for his own neck as for her honor. Every counsel he gives is half devotion, half self-preservation.

## In the story

### [Part I: The Rising Sun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/part-i-the-rising-sun)

Engaged in schemes and forgeries against Cromwell.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/iv)

Observes with admiration for Cromwell, speaks briefly, then leaves to meet Katharine Howard.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/v)

Spy who orchestrates the plot to deceive Privy Seal; claims conversion by Katharine's virtue.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/vi)

Applauds Katharine's spirit and sees her as a shield for his own conspiracy against Cromwell; holds Udal's news of Cleves' envoy in reserve.

### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/vii)

Desperate to protect Katharine Howard, he forges a letter from Cleves to delay Cromwell's attack, but is forced to report rumors of Katharine's affair with her cousin.

### [Part II: The Distant Cloud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/part-ii-the-distant-cloud)

Involved in plotting and forging letters, contributing to the intrigue against Cromwell.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/i)

Devises the plan to stop Culpepper in Calais, using Poins as his agent. His intimidating presence dominates Poins's thoughts even across the sea.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/iv)

Confronts Katharine about her plan to visit the Queen, warns her of Cromwell's schemes, and professes his love.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/v)

Interrogates Poins, decides to pursue Culpepper at Greenwich, and navigates the printer's household.

### [Part III: The Sunburst](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/part-iii-the-sunburst)

Engages in forgery and deception to undermine Cromwell's position.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/i)

Desperately tries to manage the situation, threatening Lascelles and attempting to recruit Viridus to a conspiracy against Privy Seal.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/chapters/ii)

Exhausted but triumphant, he reveals a plot against Katharine and Cromwell, securing the King's permission to bring witnesses.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/characters/throckmorton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/privy_seal_se/characters