# Thomas Culpepper — The Fifth Queen character guide

> Thomas Culpepper in The Fifth Queen by Ford Madox Ford.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Thomas Culpepper, Culpepper, Tom

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

## Snapshot

A reckless courtier and kinsman to Katharine, he loves her with a passion that makes him careless of kings and dukes alike.

## Who they are

Culpepper kneels beside Katharine's chair, muttering endearments and despair, oblivious to the King and the Duke of Norfolk standing over them. His fury and his devotion drive him to defy his uncle's orders and to ignore the King's presence entirely. His recklessness makes him both Katharine's most ardent protector and a liability, a man whose love threatens to undo every careful plan.

## Relationships

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

_romantic_

Culpepper is a passionate and reckless lover of Katharine, representing a dangerous romantic entanglement that threatens her position.

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

_romantic_

Culpepper is a passionate and reckless lover of Katharine, representing a dangerous romantic entanglement that threatens her position.

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

_romantic_

Culpepper is a passionate and reckless lover of Katharine, representing a dangerous romantic entanglement that threatens her position.

## In the story

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

Violently defends Katharine, killing a Protestant butcher; he is enraged and protective, seeking entry to the palace.

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

Mentioned as seeking passage for a mule carrying a woman, a minor figure in the King's presence.

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

Escorts Katharine, shows jealousy and desperation as the King takes interest in her.

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

Mentioned by Katharine as being in the courts below.

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

Causes a disturbance in the palace after attacking Sir Christopher Aske; Gardiner warns Katharine about him.

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

Boasts of a secret mission to Paris to kill a traitor; appears drunk and aggressive in Katharine's chambers.

## Links

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