# Colonel Talbot — Waverley character guide

> Colonel Talbot in Waverley by Walter Scott.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Talbot, the Colonel, Colonel

**First appearance:** 0054-part-ii-xx-the-english-prisoner

## Snapshot

A captured English colonel whose dry, worldly kindness becomes the unlikely anchor of Waverley's tangled loyalties and conscience.

## Who they are

Taken at Prestonpans and quartered alongside Edward, Talbot is a blunt, well-connected Englishman who treats his captor's predicament with amused, paternal exasperation rather than contempt. He calls the Jacobite rising a bubble, presses Edward to see he was 'trepanned' into it, and quietly schemes to secure his pardon — while Edward refuses to desert. His steady friendship gives the novel its moral counterweight: a loyal Hanoverian who can still love a rebel.

## Relationships

### [Edward Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/edward_waverley)

_friendship_

Colonel Talbot becomes a loyal and protective friend to Edward, using his influence to save him from execution after the rebellion fails.

### [Sir Everard Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/sir_everard_waverley)

_friendship_

Colonel Talbot is an old friend of Sir Everard, and this connection motivates him to protect Edward despite political differences.

### [Edward Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/edward_waverley)

_friendship_

Colonel Talbot becomes a loyal and protective friend to Edward, using his influence to save him from execution after the rebellion fails.

### [Edward Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/edward_waverley)

_friendship_

Colonel Talbot becomes a loyal and protective friend to Edward, using his influence to save him from execution after the rebellion fails.

### [Sir Everard Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/sir_everard_waverley)

_friendship_

Colonel Talbot is an old friend of Sir Everard, and this connection motivates him to protect Edward despite political differences.

### [Sir Everard Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/sir_everard_waverley)

_friendship_

Colonel Talbot is an old friend of Sir Everard, and this connection motivates him to protect Edward despite political differences.

## In the story

### [XX: The English Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xx-the-english-prisoner)

English prisoner who reveals his debt to Sir Everard Waverley and rebukes Edward for his Jacobite involvement.

### [Rather Unimportant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi-rather-unimportant)

Taken prisoner; gives his parole to Edward; sarcastic about the Jacobite cause; agrees to fair conference.

### [XXII: Intrigues of Love and Politics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii-intrigues-of-love-and-politics)

Accompanies Waverley to Edinburgh, offers counsel, and helps arrange the release of the young witness.

### [Intrigues of Society and Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiii-intrigues-of-society-and-love)

Becomes more kindly towards Waverley; characterized as the quintessential English soldier, prejudiced against Scots, critical of the Baron, Fergus, Flora, and Rose.

### [A Brave Man in Sorrow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvi-a-brave-man-in-sorrow)

Talbot is revealed to be deeply distressed by news of his wife's miscarriage and illness, which he blames on false reports of his death. He struggles to maintain composure and insists on his duty despite personal grief.

### [Exertion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvii-exertion)

Receives his passport, gives his parole, and departs from Leith, expressing gratitude and warnings.

### [What’s to Be Done Next?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiii-what-s-to-be-done-next)

Arranges Waverley's escape under the alias Francis Stanley, provides him with money, and informs him of Donald Bean Lean's confession clearing his name.

### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvii)

Writes to Edward from London, detailing his successful negotiation with the Prince for Edward's and the Baron's protections, and grants Edward leave to escort the Baron to Duchran.

### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxviii)

Congratulates Waverley but refuses to intervene for Fergus, citing justice and the need for a victim.

### [Dulce Domum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xli-dulce-domum)

Smoothed Edward's reception at Waverley-Honour; plans to visit with Lady Emily but cannot attend the wedding.

### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xlii)

Purchased and restored Tully-Veolan, hosting the party and revealing the financial arrangements.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/colonel_talbot
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters