# Cicely Elliott — The Fifth Queen character guide

> Cicely Elliott in The Fifth Queen by Ford Madox Ford.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Cicely, Elliott, V Cicely Elliott

**First appearance:** 0000-part-i-the-coming

## Snapshot

A dark, gibing maid of honour whose discordant laugh and bitter tongue conceal grief for menfolk killed by Cromwell, and who pins up torn sleeves for the very women she mocks.

## Who they are

Cicely Elliott flouts Katharine one week and helps her the next, laughing like a magpie at the ceiling while old Crummock's name passes through the room. She is promised in marriage to the aged Sir Nicholas Rochford, who takes pride in doing her services, and her mockery of Privy Seal carries the sharp edge of bereavement. Her unpredictable friendliness matters because Katharine, friendless in the Lady Mary's household and suspected as a spy, needs exactly this kind of ally: one whose loyalty is real but whose tongue cannot be trusted to stay civil.

## Relationships

### [Katharine Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/katharine_howard)

_friendship_

Cicely is Katharine's close companion and confidante, sharing secrets and offering emotional support in the treacherous court.

### [Katharine Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/katharine_howard)

_friendship_

Cicely is Katharine's close companion and confidante, sharing secrets and offering emotional support in the treacherous court.

### [Katharine Howard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/katharine_howard)

_friendship_

Cicely is Katharine's close companion and confidante, sharing secrets and offering emotional support in the treacherous court.

## In the story

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

Dark-haired maid of honor who mocks Katharine and openly defies Cromwell, blaming him for her family's deaths.

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

Mentioned as having copied out a part for a masque and as one of the ladies who sent the knight to Katharine.

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

Offers friendship to Katharine, takes her letter to Gardiner, reveals her tragic past and reckless nature.

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

Mentioned as having a man, the old knight, among the ladies at Isleworth.

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

Present in Katharine's room; she uses a feather brush to revive the boy and later is mistakenly taken by Throckmorton.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/cicely_elliott
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters