The Cream of the Jest · Character

Horvendile

A half-scoffing clerk in the world of Storisende who serves Ettarre and Guiron with shrewd devices while hopelessly loving a lady he knows he can never win.

major

Also known as Gravely Horvendile, brave Horvendile

First appearance: i palliation of the gambit

As a major figure in The Cream of the Jest, Horvendile is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The clerk, hopelessly in love with Ettarre.

In the storyII: Introduces the Ageless WomanOpen this moment free

Horvendile is the witty, faintly blasphemous servant whose quick wits have rescued Ettarre from Maugis d'Aigremont and whose clear-eyed mockery unsettles the chivalric certainties around him. He loves Ettarre hopelessly and confesses it with a shrug, arguing that love must aim at something not quite accessible; his envy of the immaculate Guiron curdles into a weary sense that he is watching a romance close its last page. He matters because his restlessness and his longing for a life that employs every faculty mirror Kennaston's own, and the half-sigil Ettarre gives him at parting is the hinge between the two worlds.

See Horvendile in II: Introduces the Ageless Woman Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Horvendile sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Romantic
Psychological
Other

Character groups

Poictesme chivalric figures
Protagonist

+7 more in the full Character Web

Open in reader

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This passage marks the dramatic climax because it reveals the central paradox of Kennaston’s existence: his dr…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

Relationships

Maugis d'Aigremont
friendship · positive
Horvendile and Maugis are close companions within the dream-world narrative, sharing… How this plays out →
La Beale Ettarre
romantic · positive
Adam
friendship · positive
Felix Kennaston
psychological · ambivalent
La Beale Ettarre
romantic · positive
Adam
friendship · positive
Maugis d'Aigremont
friendship · positive
Horvendile and Maugis are close companions within the dream-world narrative, sharing… How this plays out →
Maugis d'Aigremont
friendship · positive
Horvendile and Maugis are close companions within the dream-world narrative, sharing… How this plays out →
La Beale Ettarre
romantic · positive
Felix Kennaston
psychological · ambivalent

Maugis d'Aigremont
Horvendile and Maugis are close companions within the dream-world narrative, sharing adventures and mutual trust.
La Beale Ettarre
Horvendile is a chivalric admirer of La Beale Ettarre, bound by courtly love and devotion.
Adam
Adam is a loyal servant or companion to Horvendile in the dream realm.
Felix Kennaston
Horvendile is Felix's dream-self or alter ego, embodying his creative and heroic fantasies.
La Beale Ettarre
Horvendile is a chivalric admirer of La Beale Ettarre, bound by courtly love and devotion.
Adam
Adam is a loyal servant or companion to Horvendile in the dream realm.
Maugis d'Aigremont
Horvendile and Maugis are close companions within the dream-world narrative, sharing adventures and mutual trust.
Maugis d'Aigremont
Horvendile and Maugis are close companions within the dream-world narrative, sharing adventures and mutual trust.
La Beale Ettarre
Horvendile is a chivalric admirer of La Beale Ettarre, bound by courtly love and devotion.
Felix Kennaston
Horvendile is Felix's dream-self or alter ego, embodying his creative and heroic fantasies.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Horvendile in i palliation of the gambit

In the story

Horvendile appears across 24 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

II: Introduces the Ageless Woman
The clerk, hopelessly in love with Ettarre. Delivers a speech on love and illusion, identifying her with legendary figures like Calypso, Antigonê, and Medeia.
III: Wherein a Clerk Appraises a Fair Country
The clerk who appraises the fair country from Storisende's turrets, recites a love lament, and resolves to renounce love.
Of the Double-Dealer’s Traffic with a Knave
Visits Maugis to propose a treacherous plan, acting as a double-dealer.
V: How the Double-Dealer Was of Two Minds
Betrays Storisende by admitting Maugis, acts as a puppet-shifter, and claims the power to decide the outcome.
VI: Treats of Maugis d’Aigremont’s Pottage
Reveals his manipulation of Maugis and declares Maugis must die; appears as a 'frozen madman' to Ettarre.
VII: Journey's End: With the Customary Unmasking
Reveals himself as the writer who created the romance, confesses his love for Ettarre, and departs Storisende forever.
VIII: Of a Trifle Found in Twilight
Kennaston imagines Horvendile walking out of Storisende carrying a bauble similar to the one he has just found; Horvendile is the name Kennaston regrets he must not bear in his own country.
IX: Beyond Use and Wont Fares the Road to Storisende
The fictitious first writer of the chronicle; Kennaston lives his life while writing, blending his existence with Horvendile's.
XI: How There Was a Light in the Fog
Ettarre calls Kennaston 'Horvendile' in the dream, though the name means nothing to her.
XIV: Peculiar Conduct of a Personage
Not directly present in this chapter.
XV: Of Vain Regret and Wonder in the Dark
Recognized by Ettarre in the dream; she exclaims they are having the same dream again.
XVI: They Come to a High Place
Mentioned as having stood with Ettarre at Storisende, and Kennaston is addressed as Horvendile by Ettarre.
XVIII: Treats of a Prelate and, in Part, of Pigeons
Referenced indirectly as the 'famous personage' who spoke to Kennaston about the sigil and white pigeons.
XIX: Local Laws of Nephelococcygia
Kennaston's dream identity, a tall lean youngster with red hair, who interacts with Ettarre in various historical settings.
XXII: Of Truisms: Treated Reasonably
Kennaston experiences passions and emotions in Horvendile's person during his dreams.
Book Fourth
Reveals himself as the creator of the dream, challenging Kennaston's understanding of reality.
Deals with Pen Scratches
Present at the burning of the library, witnessing the obliteration of works by Agathon, Ion, and others.
XXVI: “Epper Si Muove”
Mentioned as the dream-weaver who deals with ordinary people in dreams.
XXXI: Horvendile to Ettarre: At Whitehall
Kennaston's dream persona, engaged in dialogue with Ettarre and Cromwell.
XXXII: Horvendile to Ettarre: At Vaux-le-Vicomte
Narrates the scene at Vaux-le-Vicomte, commenting on the guests, the play, and his unrequited love for Ettarre.
Horvendile to Ettarre: In the Conciergerie
Confesses his lifelong search for Ettarre and his disillusionment with earthly women.
Sundry Disclosures of the Press
Mentioned as the dream figure freed by Kennaston's nightly use of the sigil, and as a possible aspect of Kennaston himself.
Considerations Toward Sunset
Mentioned in connection with the twilight when he left Storisende.
One Way of Elusion
Referenced as the dream counterpart of Kennaston, whose connection to Ettarre is severed by Kathleen's denial.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Horvendile unlock in the free preview.

See Horvendile in i palliation of the gambit

See Horvendile in II: Introduces the Ageless Woman