# Frank Castlewood — The History of Henry Esmond character guide > Frank Castlewood in The History of Henry Esmond by William Makepeace Thackeray. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Francis, Viscount Castlewood, Francis James Viscount Castlewood, young Castlewood, little Frank **First appearance:** 0010-vii-i-am-left-at-castlewood-an-orphan-and-find-most-kind-protectors-there ## Snapshot The young Viscount Castlewood is warm-hearted, impulsive, and hopelessly outmatched by the debts and obligations his cousin Harry keeps quietly paying for him. ## Who they are Frank weeps, swears, and kisses hands when he learns how much Esmond has sacrificed on his behalf, then rides off to serve a king who mocks him behind his back. He is brave, affectionate, and easily led — by Clotilda, by the Prince, by any strong feeling that passes through him. His boyish gratitude and his inability to carry its weight make him both endearing and a slow-motion disaster. ## Relationships ### [Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/henry_esmond) _family_ Frank Castlewood is Henry's beloved younger half-brother and close companion, though Henry secretly knows Frank is the true heir to the title. ### [Lord Mohun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/lord_mohun) _rivalry_ Frank Castlewood is a rival to Lord Mohun, partly due to Mohun's involvement in his father's death and his pursuit of Beatrix. ### [Beatrix Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/beatrix_esmond) _family_ Beatrix and Frank Castlewood are siblings, with a bond of affection but also rivalry over status and Henry's attention. ### [Lady Castlewood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/lady_castlewood) _family_ Frank Castlewood is Lady Castlewood's son, and their relationship is loving but marked by her protective concern for his inheritance. ### [Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/henry_esmond) _family_ Frank Castlewood is Henry's beloved younger half-brother and close companion, though Henry secretly knows Frank is the true heir to the title. ### [Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/henry_esmond) _family_ Frank Castlewood is Henry's beloved younger half-brother and close companion, though Henry secretly knows Frank is the true heir to the title. ### [Lady Castlewood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/lady_castlewood) _family_ Frank Castlewood is Lady Castlewood's son, and their relationship is loving but marked by her protective concern for his inheritance. ### [Beatrix Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/beatrix_esmond) _family_ Beatrix and Frank Castlewood are siblings, with a bond of affection but also rivalry over status and Henry's attention. ### [Lord Mohun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/lord_mohun) _rivalry_ Frank Castlewood is a rival to Lord Mohun, partly due to Mohun's involvement in his father's death and his pursuit of Beatrix. ### [Lord Mohun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/lord_mohun) _rivalry_ Frank Castlewood is a rival to Lord Mohun, partly due to Mohun's involvement in his father's death and his pursuit of Beatrix. ### [Beatrix Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/beatrix_esmond) _family_ Beatrix and Frank Castlewood are siblings, with a bond of affection but also rivalry over status and Henry's attention. ### [Lady Castlewood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/lady_castlewood) _family_ Frank Castlewood is Lady Castlewood's son, and their relationship is loving but marked by her protective concern for his inheritance. ## In the story ### [The History of Henry Esmond](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/the-history-of-henry-esmond) The young Viscount Castlewood, son of the late Lord Castlewood, who becomes Henry's companion. ### [An Account of the Family of Esmond of Castlewood Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/i-an-account-of-the-family-of-esmond-of-castlewood-hall) The new Viscount, who laughs at the scene but welcomes Henry and invites him to supper. ### [II: Relates How Francis, Fourth Viscount, Arrives at Castlewood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ii-relates-how-francis-fourth-viscount-arrives-at-castlewood) The rival cousin who rejected Isabel's suit, served in Tangier, and now has a flourishing family at Court, including a daughter and another child on the way. ### [I Am Left at Castlewood an Orphan, and Find Most Kind Protectors There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/vii-i-am-left-at-castlewood-an-orphan-and-find-most-kind-protectors-there) The little son of Lord and Lady Castlewood, crowing on his mother's arm as she watches her husband ride away. ### [VIII: After Good Fortune Comes Evil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/viii-after-good-fortune-comes-evil) The young Viscount who was on Henry's lap after Henry had been with the sick child. ### [IX: I Have the Smallpox, and Prepare to Leave Castlewood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ix-i-have-the-smallpox-and-prepare-to-leave-castlewood) Also suffers from smallpox but recovers without scarring. ### [X: I Go to Cambridge, and Do but Little Good There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/x-i-go-to-cambridge-and-do-but-little-good-there) Accompanies Henry to Cambridge, introduces him to the Dowager Lady Castlewood, and leaves him at the university with kind words. ### [I Come Home for a Holiday to Castlewood, and Find a Skeleton in the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xi-i-come-home-for-a-holiday-to-castlewood-and-find-a-skeleton-in-the-house) Growing to resemble his father; tells Esmond about his boxing match; saved from fire by Esmond as a child. ### [My Lord Mohun Comes Among Us for No Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xii-my-lord-mohun-comes-among-us-for-no-good) Described as a handsome, high-spirited, brave lad, generous and kind; at war with his sister Beatrix and adoring his mother. ### [Book II: Contains Mr. Esmond’s Military Life, and Other Matters Appertaining to the Esmond Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/book-ii-contains-mr-esmond-s-military-life-and-other-matters-appertaining-to-the-esmond-family) Member of the Castlewood family, involved in military and family matters. ### [I: I Am in Prison, and Visited, but Not Consoled There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/i-i-am-in-prison-and-visited-but-not-consoled-there) Mentioned as the innocent boy who would be harmed if Esmond revealed the secret; Esmond resolves to protect him. ### [II: I Come to the End of My Captivity, but Not of My Trouble](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ii-i-come-to-the-end-of-my-captivity-but-not-of-my-trouble) Mentioned as the young Viscount Castlewood, born in the same year as the Prince of Wales. ### [IV: Recapitulations](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/iv-recapitulations) Young Francis is the undisputed owner of the Castlewood estate and title, as Henry chooses not to press his claim. ### [VI: The 29th December](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/vi-the-29th-december) Now Viscount Castlewood, grown into a noble-looking youth; eagerly embraces Henry and invites him home. ### [VII: I Am Made Welcome at Walcote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/vii-i-am-made-welcome-at-walcote) The young Viscount is lively and talkative, teasing his sister about her suitor and expressing pride in the family's ancient lineage. He drinks wine like a lord and discusses military ambitions. ### [VIII: Family Talk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/viii-family-talk) Boasts of his family status and plans to restore Castlewood; hints at Beatrix's potential marriage to Lord Blandford. ### [IX: I Make the Campaign of 1704](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ix-i-make-the-campaign-of-1704) At Cambridge; his hopes for Beatrix's advancement are dashed by Blandford's death. ### [X: An Old Story About a Fool and a Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/x-an-old-story-about-a-fool-and-a-woman) Young Lord Castlewood, ensign and lieutenant in the Duke of Ormond's regiment, is celebrated for his good looks and charm; favored by the Dowager and Duchess. ### [XII: I Get a Company in the Campaign of 1706](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xii-i-get-a-company-in-the-campaign-of-1706) Young Viscount; fights bravely at Ramillies, captures a French order, and is unharmed; sings with fellow officers after the battle. ### [I Meet an Old Acquaintance in Flanders, and Find My Mother's Grave and My Own Cradle There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xiii-i-meet-an-old-acquaintance-in-flanders-and-find-my-mother-s-grave-and-my-own-cradle-there) Mentioned as having served his first campaign in the Guard this year. ### [General Webb Wins the Battle of Wynendael](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xv-general-webb-wins-the-battle-of-wynendael) Absent due to military duty in Brussels, but his letter reveals the duel with Mohun, prompting the family's gratitude. ### [Book III: Containing the End of Mr. Esmond’s Adventures in England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/book-iii-containing-the-end-of-mr-esmond-s-adventures-in-england) Viscount Castlewood, Henry's friend and brother figure. ### [I: I Come to an End of My Battles and Bruises](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/i-i-come-to-an-end-of-my-battles-and-bruises) Serves in the campaign, escapes unhurt at Oudenarde; nurses Esmond devotedly after his wound, then goes to Bruxelles for winter pleasures. ### [II: I Go Home, and Harp on the Old String](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ii-i-go-home-and-harp-on-the-old-string) Married Mademoiselle de Wertheim in Brussels; writes to Esmond to break the news and ask for rents. ### [Beatrix's New Suitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/iv-beatrix-s-new-suitor) Mentioned as the brother who will give Beatrix away at the wedding. ### [VII: I Visit Castlewood Once More](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/vii-i-visit-castlewood-once-more) Mentioned as the son whose return his mother eagerly awaited, and as the one to play a role in Esmond's scheme. ### [VIII: I Travel to France and Bring Home a Portrait of Rigaud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/viii-i-travel-to-france-and-bring-home-a-portrait-of-rigaud) Found in Brussels, married to Clotilda, and enthusiastically supports Esmond's plan, especially as it allows him to escape his in-laws. ### [The Original of the Portrait Comes to England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/ix-the-original-of-the-portrait-comes-to-england) Assists in the deception, speaking with a foreign accent, and confides his unease about the scheme to Esmond. ### [We Entertain a Very Distinguished Guest at Kensington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/x-we-entertain-a-very-distinguished-guest-at-kensington) Bluntly suggests that Beatrix should be elsewhere during the Prince's stay, showing his straightforward nature. ### [XI: Our Guest Quits Us as Not Being Hospitable Enough](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xi-our-guest-quits-us-as-not-being-hospitable-enough) Defends the family's honor against the Prince's accusations and supports Beatrix's removal. ### [A Great Scheme, and Who Balked It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xii-a-great-scheme-and-who-balked-it) Acts as Esmond's aide-de-camp, delivers the fatal note from Beatrix, and helps rally the troops. ### [XIII: August 1st, 1714](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/xiii-august-1st-1714) Rides with Esmond to Castlewood, witnesses the confrontation, and is told he is now lord by right. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/chapters/endnotes) Lord Castlewood is mentioned as being irritated by Lady Castlewood's sending money to King James, and appeased by a Marquis's title. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters/frank_castlewood - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_history_of_henry_esmond_se/characters