# Sir Percy Blakeney — The Elusive Pimpernel character guide > Sir Percy Blakeney in The Elusive Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Percy, Sir Percy, Blakeney, the Scarlet Pimpernel **First appearance:** 0001-the-elusive-pimpernel ## Snapshot London's laziest-dressed fop, who yawns through parties and somehow always knows more than he lets on about the Scarlet Pimpernel. ## Who they are Sir Percy Blakeney is the wealthiest bore in England, a drawling dandy whose chief occupations are his tailor and his sleep. Yet his marriage to Marguerite has gone strange and tender in ways neither will name, and Chauvelin's challenge to a duel across the Channel gives him the excuse he needs to vanish into danger. His languid mask is the story's central puzzle: the reader watches for the crack that will show what he really is. ## Relationships ### [Citizen Chauvelin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/citizen_chauvelin) _rivalry_ Chauvelin is obsessively hunting Sir Percy, the Scarlet Pimpernel, as his primary enemy in revolutionary France. ### [Marguerite Blakeney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/marguerite_blakeney) _romantic_ Marguerite and Sir Percy are married, with deep love and loyalty, though their relationship is tested by secrets and danger. ### [Juliette Marny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/juliette_marny) _friendship_ Juliette Marny is a loyal friend to Sir Percy, aiding him in his rescues and trusting his leadership. ### [Old Clutterbuck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/old_clutterbuck) _professional_ Old Clutterbuck is Sir Percy's loyal servant, assisting him in his daily affairs and secret missions. ### [Collot d'Herbois](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/collot_d_herbois) _rivalry_ Collot d'Herbois is an enemy of Sir Percy, aligned with Chauvelin in hunting the Scarlet Pimpernel. ### [Prince of Wales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/prince_of_wales) _friendship_ The Prince of Wales is a friend and patron to Sir Percy, enjoying his company and supporting him socially. ### [Citizen Chauvelin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/citizen_chauvelin) _rivalry_ Chauvelin is obsessively hunting Sir Percy, the Scarlet Pimpernel, as his primary enemy in revolutionary France. ### [Citizen Chauvelin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/citizen_chauvelin) _rivalry_ Chauvelin is obsessively hunting Sir Percy, the Scarlet Pimpernel, as his primary enemy in revolutionary France. ### [Marguerite Blakeney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/marguerite_blakeney) _romantic_ Marguerite and Sir Percy are married, with deep love and loyalty, though their relationship is tested by secrets and danger. ### [Marguerite Blakeney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/marguerite_blakeney) _romantic_ Marguerite and Sir Percy are married, with deep love and loyalty, though their relationship is tested by secrets and danger. ### [Old Clutterbuck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/old_clutterbuck) _professional_ Old Clutterbuck is Sir Percy's loyal servant, assisting him in his daily affairs and secret missions. ### [Juliette Marny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/juliette_marny) _friendship_ Juliette Marny is a loyal friend to Sir Percy, aiding him in his rescues and trusting his leadership. ## In the story ### [The Elusive Pimpernel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/the-elusive-pimpernel) As the Scarlet Pimpernel, Sir Percy continues his daring rescues, maintaining his facade of a foppish aristocrat while secretly orchestrating escapes. ### [II: A Retrospect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/ii-a-retrospect) Referenced indirectly through the doggerel rhyme and the star-shaped flower emblem; the elusive Scarlet Pimpernel. ### [The Richmond Gala](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/iv-the-richmond-gala) Stands tall and immaculate at the gala, his lazy blue eyes scanning the crowd, the center of a gaily-dressed group. ### [V: Sir Percy and His Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/v-sir-percy-and-his-lady) Returns from Boulogne, maintains his foppish facade but reveals his secret resolve and commitment to his cause. ### [For the Poor of Paris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/vi-for-the-poor-of-paris) Briefly converses with Marguerite about his adventures, then halts to speak with Lord Hastings. ### [VII: Premonition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/vii-premonition) Arrives with the Prince of Wales, interrupting Marguerite's confrontation with Chauvelin. ### [The Invitation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/viii-the-invitation) Greets Chauvelin with feigned nonchalance and humor, appearing oblivious to the danger. ### [Lady Blakeney's Rout](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/x-lady-blakeney-s-rout) Reassures Marguerite with affected carelessness, hints at his secret activities, and expresses regret for past neglect. ### [The Challenge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xi-the-challenge) Intervenes with elaborate courtesy, accepts Chauvelin's duel challenge. ### [XII: Time—Place—Conditions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xii-time-place-conditions) Presents the Cenci swords with bonhomie, sets the duel conditions, and maintains his inscrutable, foppish demeanor. ### [XIII: Reflections](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xiii-reflections) Accepts Chauvelin's challenge with lighthearted merriment, putting the company at ease but raising Chauvelin's suspicions of a counterplan. ### [XIV: The Ruling Passion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xiv-the-ruling-passion) Mentioned as the object of Marguerite's fears and love; his ruling passion for adventure is highlighted. ### [XV: Farewell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xv-farewell) Struggles between his love for Marguerite and his duty to rescue Abbé Foucquet; ultimately leaves for France. ### [The Passport](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xvi-the-passport) Has already departed for France via the Daydream; Marguerite is determined to follow him to Boulogne. ### [No. 6](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xviii-no-6) Mentioned as the Scarlet Pimpernel; Marguerite believes he has followed her to Boulogne and will attempt her rescue. ### [XIX: The Strength of the Weak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xix-the-strength-of-the-weak) Indirectly referenced through Marguerite's memories and the Abbé's mention of the Scarlet Pimpernel; his love and daring are a source of both hope and anguish. ### [Triumph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xx-triumph) The Scarlet Pimpernel, whose imminent capture is the subject of the Committee's plans and rejoicing. ### [The Hostage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxiii-the-hostage) The target of Chauvelin's trap; Marguerite fears he will sacrifice himself to save others, as he has always done. ### [Colleagues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxiv-colleagues) Referred to as the Scarlet Pimpernel, the target of Chauvelin's plot, expected to appear for the duel on the ramparts. ### [The Unexpected](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxv-the-unexpected) Appears unexpectedly at the window, feigning nonchalance and mocking Chauvelin while subtly probing the situation. ### [XXVI: The Terms of the Bargain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxvi-the-terms-of-the-bargain) Sir Percy rises calmly upon Marguerite's entrance, listens to Chauvelin's proposal with apparent amusement, and responds with mocking laughter and airy remarks, refusing to show any sign of distress or anger. ### [The Decision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxvii-the-decision) Accepts Chauvelin's dishonorable bargain to save Marguerite, displaying a facade of nonchalance before falling asleep. ### [XXIX: The National Fête](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxix-the-national-f-te) Referenced indirectly as the Scarlet Pimpernel, whose capture in Boulogne is announced as the cause of the amnesty and festivities. ### [XXX: The Procession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxx-the-procession) Recalled by Candeille for his gallant manners; he is also under arrest as an English spy. ### [XXXI: Final Dispositions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxxi-final-dispositions) Mentioned as being asleep and unaware of Marguerite's situation; the central figure of Chauvelin's scheme. ### [The Letter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxxii-the-letter) Sir Percy feigns drunkenness and sleep, having begun copying the infamous letter, but insists he is not as drunk as he appears. ### [The English Spy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-english-spy) Appears calm and dandyish while writing the letter, but seizes the moment of chaos to extinguish the lights and escape. ### [XXXIV: The Angelus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-angelus) Reveals the decoy letter, overpowers and gags Chauvelin, and escapes as the Angelus rings. ### [XXXV: Marguerite](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/chapters/xxxv-marguerite) Executes the plan to overpower Chauvelin, escapes with Marguerite, leads the party through Boulogne, later forgives Marguerite and declares his love. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters/sir_percy_blakeney - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_elusive_pimpernel_se/characters