Auberon Quin

Adam Wayne

Adam Wayne, the serious and fanatical Provost of Notting Hill, and Auberon Quin, the jester King who started the whole conflict as a joke, are locked in a philosophical and practical opposition between romantic seriousness and absurdist comedy.

James Barker

Auberon Quin, as King, and James Barker, as a prominent businessman and later Provost of South Kensington, interact primarily as political and administrative figures in the governance of the city.

Mr. Buck

Auberon Quin and Mr. Buck are acquaintances who move in the same political and social circles, with Buck often serving as a foil to Quin's whimsy.

Mr. Lambert

Auberon Quin and Mr. Lambert are casual acquaintances within the political and social elite of the city.

General Wilson

Auberon Quin, as King, and General Wilson, as a military commander, have a formal superior-subordinate relationship in the city's hierarchy.

Captain Bowler

Auberon Quin and Captain Bowler interact as King and a military officer, with Bowler involved in the city's defense.

Mr. Mead

Auberon Quin and Mr. Mead are casual acquaintances within the city's social and political circles.

Mr. Hoskins

Auberon Quin and Mr. Hoskins are casual acquaintances within the city's social fabric.

Mr. Bowles

Auberon Quin and Mr. Bowles are minor acquaintances in the broader social network of the city.

Mr. Turnbull

Auberon Quin and Mr. Turnbull have a formal professional relationship as King and a military officer.

Adam Wayne

Adam Wayne, the serious and fanatical Provost of Notting Hill, and Auberon Quin, the jester King who started the whole conflict as a joke, are locked in a philosophical and practical opposition between romantic seriousness and absurdist comedy.

James Barker

Auberon Quin, as King, and James Barker, as a prominent businessman and later Provost of South Kensington, interact primarily as political and administrative figures in the governance of the city.

The Napoleon of Notting Hill

The King who observes the conflict with amusement and philosophical detachment.

Book I

The short clerk who deliberately walks behind his companions; later becomes King and initiates a bizarre ceremony by wearing his coat backwards.

II: The Man in Green

The short government clerk with a round head and owl-like appearance, known for his nonsensical talk and collection of Japanese lacquer. He deliberately walks behind his companions, seeing their coattails as dragons.

The Hill of Humour

Delivers absurd stories, preaches humour as a new religion, stands on his head on the hill, and is informed he has been made King.

Book II

The King, initially delighted by the prospect of a 'row,' but becomes thunderstruck when he realizes Wayne's seriousness.

The Charter of the Cities

The King delivers a whimsical speech proposing the restoration of ancient London boroughs, blending humor with a serious undercurrent of local patriotism.

The Council of the Provosts

The King, acting like a child, designs municipal uniforms and issues the Charter of the Free Cities, treating the resulting chaos as a game.

III: Enter a Lunatic

The King, initially delighted by the theatrical entrance of Wayne, is gradually stunned to realize that Wayne is not playing a part but is genuinely serious about defending Notting Hill. He oscillates between amusement and awe, ultimately recognizing a kindred spirit in his own madness.

Book III: The Mental Condition of Adam Wayne and The Remarkable Mr. Turnbull

King and literary critic, reviews 'Hymns on the Hill' under pseudonym 'Thunderbolt', praising urban poetry and criticizing 'Daisy Daydream'.

The Mental Condition of Adam Wayne

The King, who reviews 'Hymns on the Hill' under the pseudonym 'Thunderbolt' and engages in a literary critique of the Hammock School.

The Experiment of Mr. Buck

The King, feeling gloomy after being denied his fun, muses on the ludicrousness of life and longs for miracles. He presides over the council and defends Wayne's right to speak, but ultimately allows the negotiations to end.

Book IV

Acts as the Special Correspondent for the Court Journal, sickened by the battle's tragedy; later visits the office to inject sensationalism into the paper.

The Battle of the Lamps

The King; mentioned as the creator of the poleaxes used by the attacking forces.

The Correspondent of the Court Journal

Disguises himself as a war correspondent named Pinker, takes over the Court Journal office, and writes sensationalist posters and a leading article criticizing the King.

III: The Great Army of South Kensington

The King observes the battle and the surrender, showing amusement at Wayne's audacious ultimatum.

Book V

Confesses that the Charter of the Cities was a joke, but is embraced by Wayne; hesitates but agrees to wander together.

I: The Empire of Notting Hill

King Auberon, now older and wearing old-fashioned clothes, walks through Notting Hill, reflecting on its romantic transformation and the legacy of the war.

II: The Last Battle

The King marches with a top hat and halberd, is struck down by a halberd and does not see the end of the battle.

Two Voices

Confesses that the entire Notting Hill movement was a joke, but ultimately reconciles with Wayne, acknowledging their complementary roles.