# Nicholas Throckmorton — The Fifth Queen character guide

> Nicholas Throckmorton in The Fifth Queen by Ford Madox Ford.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Throckmorton, Nick Throckmorton

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

## Snapshot

A courtier of gloomy intelligence, he serves Cromwell while quietly calculating when to find another master.

## Who they are

Throckmorton moves through the night world of the court, reading torchlights on the water and noting which informations Cromwell chooses to record. He warns Katharine that her simple nature will fail her in a throne-room, offering sardonic instruction in the arts of survival. His wavering loyalty and his strange tenderness toward Katharine make him the book's most ambiguous presence, a man who sees everything and commits to nothing.

## Relationships

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

_romantic_

Nicholas Throckmorton is a devoted suitor to Katharine, though she often keeps him at arm's length due to her political ambitions.

### [Thomas Cromwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/thomas_cromwell)

_rivalry_

Throckmorton opposes Cromwell's policies and schemes, aligning with Katharine's faction against the reformist minister.

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

_romantic_

Nicholas Throckmorton is a devoted suitor to Katharine, though she often keeps him at arm's length due to her political ambitions.

### [Thomas Cromwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/thomas_cromwell)

_rivalry_

Throckmorton opposes Cromwell's policies and schemes, aligning with Katharine's faction against the reformist minister.

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

_romantic_

Nicholas Throckmorton is a devoted suitor to Katharine, though she often keeps him at arm's length due to her political ambitions.

### [Thomas Cromwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/characters/thomas_cromwell)

_rivalry_

Throckmorton opposes Cromwell's policies and schemes, aligning with Katharine's faction against the reformist minister.

## In the story

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

Cromwell's spy and constant companion, reports gossip from the court and considers shifting allegiance as Cromwell's position weakens.

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

Bribed by Udal to inscribe a note on Cromwell's tablets about Katharine's provision.

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

Acts as a spy and majordomo at the revels, wearing the badge of the Privy Seal; watches Katharine from the gallery.

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

Briefly appears in the gallery, grinning evilly, and leaves a whisper behind.

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

Mentioned as having shown Katharine a way; detested by her.

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

Confronts Katharine in the cellar; reveals the plot involving Cromwell and Gardiner; offers to serve her in exchange for protection; is scorned by her.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/viii)

Described as a 'werewolf' and spy who threatens Katharine's safety.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/ix)

Visits Katharine uninvited, offering strategic counsel on how to manipulate the King's favor and undermine Cromwell.

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

A spy whose presence and games influence Katharine's perception of men.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_fifth_queen_se/chapters/iii)

Urges Cromwell to arrest Katharine and use thumbscrews to extract a confession against Gardiner, offering to stake his head on success.

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

Reveals he gave Katharine's letter to Privy Seal as part of a scheme to gain his trust; he later takes Cicely Elliott away.

## Links

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