# The Colonel — The Princess and Curdie character guide

> The Colonel in The Princess and Curdie by George MacDonald.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the colonel, The poor colonel , who was yet hardly able to stand

**First appearance:** 0024-xxv-the-avengers

## Snapshot

A broken-bodied officer whose loyalty to the king outlasts his injuries, offering Curdie an ally when the palace offers almost none.

## Who they are

The poor colonel, hardly able to stand, belongs to the dwindling company of men in Gwyntystorm who remain true to their sovereign despite the court's rot. His physical frailty mirrors the kingdom's condition — wounded, neglected, yet not quite extinguished — and his allegiance gives Curdie a rare foothold of trust inside a palace of liars. He matters as proof that honor persists among the ruins, and as a quiet counterweight to the smooth treachery of men like Dr. Kelman.

## Relationships

### [Curdie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters/curdie)

_professional_

Curdie works with the Colonel as part of the royal guard, but the Colonel is loyal to the corrupt court.

### [Sir Bronzebeard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters/sir_bronzebeard)

_professional_

Sir Bronzebeard and the Colonel are fellow officers in the royal guard, but Sir Bronzebeard is honorable while the Colonel is corrupt.

### [Sir Bronzebeard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters/sir_bronzebeard)

_professional_

Sir Bronzebeard and the Colonel are fellow officers in the royal guard, but Sir Bronzebeard is honorable while the Colonel is corrupt.

## In the story

### [The Avengers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxv-the-avengers)

Found asleep in his room, Curdie recognizes him as a good and honest man by the feel of his hand.

### [XXVIII: The Preacher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxviii-the-preacher)

Mentioned as missing, contributing to the uncertainty of the king's bodyguard.

### [Barbara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxix-barbara)

Recovering from his wounds, he becomes friends with Curdie and worries about his regiment.

### [The Sacrifice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxxi-the-sacrifice)

Attempts to rally his troops but is too weak and is ignored by the sentry.

### [The King's Army](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxxii-the-king-s-army)

Sir Bronzebeard, dressed in complete steel, ready to die for the king, and secures horses for the army.

### [The Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-battle)

Fights alongside the king, stabbing the captain in the throat.

### [Judgment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/chapters/xxxiv-judgment)

Made a duke by the king as a reward.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters/the_colonel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_princess_and_curdie_se/characters