Edward VI

Tom Canty

The prince and the pauper boy swap identities and develop a deep bond of mutual understanding and loyalty.

Miles Hendon

Miles becomes Edward's loyal protector and companion during his exile, treating him with chivalrous devotion.

John Canty

John Canty is a brutal antagonist who pursues Edward with violent intent after the prince is mistaken for Tom.

Hugo

Hugo is a cruel thief and accomplice of John Canty who torments Edward during his time among the poor.

Lord St. John

Lord St. John is a royal courtier who serves Edward and helps maintain the illusion of the prince's identity.

Father Andrew

Father Andrew shows kindness to Edward when he is lost and alone, offering him shelter.

Lady Edith

Edward meets Lady Edith during his wanderings and she shows him kindness, though she is conflicted.

Tom Canty

The prince and the pauper boy swap identities and develop a deep bond of mutual understanding and loyalty.

Miles Hendon

Miles becomes Edward's loyal protector and companion during his exile, treating him with chivalrous devotion.

Tom Canty

The prince and the pauper boy swap identities and develop a deep bond of mutual understanding and loyalty.

Miles Hendon

Miles becomes Edward's loyal protector and companion during his exile, treating him with chivalrous devotion.

John Canty

John Canty is a brutal antagonist who pursues Edward with violent intent after the prince is mistaken for Tom.

The Prince and the Pauper

Born into royalty as the Prince of Wales, Edward is celebrated and pampered, unaware of the suffering outside the palace.

The Birth of the Prince and the Pauper

Born as the long-awaited Prince of Wales, celebrated by all England, lapped in silks and satins.

Tom's Meeting with the Prince

The Prince of Wales who befriends Tom, swaps clothes, and is thrown out of the palace.

IV: The Prince's Troubles Begin

Wanders lost and injured through London, seeks help at Christ's Church, is mocked and attacked, then seized by John Canty.

Tom as a Patrician

Mentioned as the prince who has left Tom alone; his absence causes Tom's distress.

Tom Receives Instructions

Referenced as the true prince, but not present in the chapter; his commands are conveyed through Lord St. John.

Tom's First Royal Dinner

The true prince is not present in this chapter, but his armor and belongings are mentioned as being in the cabinet where Tom goes.

The Prince in the Toils

The rightful prince, dragged to Offal Court, beaten by John Canty, and comforted by Tom's mother and sisters. He insists on his royal identity and later escapes into the crowd.

At Guildhall

The real prince, outside Guildhall, proclaims his identity and is mocked by the crowd.

XII: The Prince and His Deliverer

Learns of his father's death and his own accession; insists on royal treatment; listens to Hendon's tale and vows to help him.

XIII: The Disappearance of the Prince

Sleeps deeply, is tricked into leaving with a youth, and goes willingly because he thinks Miles Hendon asked it.

XIV: “Le Roi Est Mort—Vive le Roi”

Edward is the identity Tom is mistaken for; the chapter confirms his kingship after Henry VIII's death.

Foo-Foo the First

Lured into a trap by Hugo, recaptured by John Canty, forced to join a gang of thieves, and grieves for his father Henry VIII.

The Prince with the Tramps

Forced to travel with tramps, refuses to beg or steal, escapes from Hugo, and finds shelter in a barn.

XIX: The Prince with the Peasants

Awakens in a barn, befriended by two little girls, and is taken in by their mother. He attempts to cook but burns the food, and later flees when John Canty and Hugo approach.

The Prince and the Hermit

The king, fleeing from danger, seeks shelter in a hermit's hut and is bound while sleeping.

Hendon to the Rescue

Bound and helpless, the king faces death at the hermit's hands, experiences hope when Hendon arrives, and is ultimately recaptured by John Canty and Hugo.

XXII: A Victim of Treachery

The king, still captive among the tramps, endures abuse from Hugo and Canty, fights Hugo with a cudgel, and is later framed for theft before being rescued by Miles Hendon.

XXIII: The Prince a Prisoner

Wrongly accused of theft, Edward struggles to maintain his royal composure but is persuaded by Hendon to submit to the law.

The Escape

The true king, being led to jail, observes the indifference of the streets and is aided by Hendon's scheme.

Hendon Hall

Travels with Hendon, now dressed in secondhand clothes, and listens to Hendon's stories.

Disowned

The king muses on the strangeness of not being missed and writes a letter in three languages to Lord Hertford, insisting on his plan despite Hendon's objections.

In Prison

Chafes at imprisonment, converses with prisoners, learns of their cruel sentences, and vows to show mercy and reform unjust laws.

The Sacrifice

Witnesses Hendon's punishment, tries to intervene, and later dubs Hendon an earl.

To London

Travels with Hendon to London, deep in thought, and becomes separated from him in the riot.

Tom's Progress

The true king is wandering poorly clad and hungry, wedged among a crowd watching coronation preparations at Westminster Abbey.

The Recognition Procession

The true king, represented by an effigy in the pageant; Tom is mistaken for him.

Coronation Day

The true king who arrives in rags at the coronation, answers questions correctly, and is finally recognized after the Great Seal is located.

Edward as King

Now crowned king, he dispenses justice, restoring Miles Hendon's estates and punishing Sir Hugh, and honors Tom Canty.

Conclusion

King Edward VI lives only a few years but reigns mercifully, often retelling his adventures to keep compassion alive.

Endnotes

Historical Edward VI is credited with founding Christ's Hospital and other charities, and with repealing harsh laws, showing his merciful character.