Thomas Drue
The Life of
The Duchess of Suffolk
licensed 2 January 1624
ATKINSON
Messenger sent by Queen Elizabeth to countermand the English Captain's warrant for the Duchess' arrest and to summon her back to court. Delivers his news to the Duchess at Palsgrave's court.
BEGGARS
Beggars receive alms from and thank the Duchess at the beginning of the play.
BERTIE
Servant to the Duchess of Suffolk, later her husband. Attends Duchess at start of play and delivers her alms to the beggars. After Gardner and Bonner are led away, he begins to persuade the Duchess to marry Palsgrave. After the entry of
Cranwell, Palsgrave, Arundell, Foxe, Northumberland, and Erbaigh, Bertie is surprised to find himself rather than Palsgrave as the Duchess' choice for her new husband. After Catholic Queen Mary assumes power, Bertie is brought by
Clunie before Lord Paget, Gardner, and Bonner for questioning concerning the Duchess' religious beliefs. He gains permission from Gardner and Bonner to go to
Europe to fetch money owed to the Duchess by the Emperor Charles V. As he bids farewell to the Duchess, Bertie tells her he has arranged for a boat to convey her in secret to Europe to join him. Later, Bertie is reunited with the Duchess, along with the Nurse, Susan, Cranwell, and Sands, after the Duchess' party arrives in Europe. Bertie sends the Duchess and her party on to Santon in order to avoid those who have been sent to search for her; Bertie in the meantime briefly remains with Perecell. Fearing for the Duchess, Bertie disguises himself as an outlaw and discovers that the Duchess's party has been attacked by thieves. He draws most of them away with a false report of rich merchants nearby, then attacks and binds the remaining thief. He rescues the Duchess and assists the wounded Cranwell; he then joins the Duchess in searching for the
Nurse and Susan. They discover Susan in a bush beside the wounded Cranwell. As the Duchess goes into labor, Bertie assists her to a church porch and then begins to search for firewood. He encounters a Sexton and beats him away, then encounters Erasmus, who helps Bertie carry the Duchess in a chair to Perecell's home. After hearing that the Duchess has given birth to a son, Bertie learns from Foxe that Clunie and his party have arrived from England to capture him and the Duchess; he agrees to take part in Perecell's plot to smuggle the Duchess and her son out of town in a coffin by dressing as a mourner. After escaping the town, Bertie, the Duchess and their children are discovered by Foxe, Clunie, and a band of soldiers led by the Palsgrave's Captain. Bertie begins to fight the
Captain and his soldiers, and the Duchess takes a sword and joins him, beating away the soldiers. They flee after Bertie kills the Captain, and are apprehended by the Burgomaster and his soldiers. As Bertie is led to the statehouse for trial, the Duchess discovers that she has lost her two children in the confusion. When the Duchess and Bertie are brought by the Burgomaster before Palsgrave for trial, Erbaigh recognizes them and Palsgrave protects them against the murder charge as well as the warrant brought by Brunswick and the English
Captain. For further protection, Palsgrave awards Bertie the title Earl of
Crozam. Returns to London with the Duchess, Sands, Cranwell and Foxe where they are met by Lord Hunsdon, the Lord Admiral, and Lord Clinton, who inform Bertie that Queen Elizabeth has made him Secretary of State; Bertie gratefully declines the office.
BONNER
The historical Edmund Bonner (c.1500-69), Catholic Bishop of London under Henry
VIII and Mary I. Met by the Duchess and her company early in the play as he is led to the Tower under guard. Along with Gardner, freed from prison and restored to office when Clunie brings news of Edward VI's death and Mary I's succession; begins plotting revenge against supporters of religious reform. Receives commission from Queen Mary via Lord Paget to cleanse the state of heresy; chooses Duchess as his first target. Questions Bertie concerning the Duchess' religious beliefs, and allows him to leave for Europe, since Bertie's absence will make his revenge against the Duchess easier. Later, appears with Garnder to hear Clunie's accusation that Hugh Tiler and Jenkin helped Sands to escape, and quickly demands that they be burned at the stake. Questions Foxe regarding the Duchess' whereabouts, and when he learns where she is from the Post, vows to pursue her in disguise and to take Foxe along to positively identify her. Waits near Goseling's home, and, as the Duchess and her party pass on their way to the ship, is knocked into a well by Foxe. After being pulled out, learns of the
Duchess' escape from Goseling, whom he promises to reward for loyalty; he also sends Foxe and Clunie to pursue the Duchess and her party in another boat.
Later, waiting for news of the search in Europe for the Duchess, Bonner laments the slow pace of heresy executions. When Cranmer recants his return to
Catholicism, Bonner orders his arrest, and looks forward to burning the Duchess once Latimer and Ridley have been executed. At the end of the play, after Queen Elizabeth has assumed the throne, Bonner is taken to prison by officers and is abused by 3 citizens along the way. When he arrives at prison he meets Grindall,
Cox, and Scory, who are being released by the Keeper; they forgive Bonner for his harshness towards them.
BURGOMASTER
After Bertie kills the Palsgrave's Captain, the Burgomaster and a group of soldiers discover and arrest Bertie for murder, believing he is a mercenary.
After accepting Bertie's request and swearing that he will see Bertie has a fair trial, the Burgomaster takes Bertie away to the statehouse for trial. When Palsgrave and Erbaigh recognize the Duchess and Bertie, Palsgrave dismisses the Burgomaster's case against Bertie. Also called Nicholas van Houe by
Palsgrave.
CITIZENS
Two men and a woman mock and deride Bonner as he is led by the officers to prison at the end of the play.
CLUNIE
A parator or summoning officer for an ecclesiastical court. Brings news of
Edward VI's death and Mary I's succession to Gardner and Bonner; also brings word of their restoration to their religious and political offices. Sent by Paget to fetch Bertie, whom he brings before Paget, Gardner, and Bonner. Then sent by Bonner to seize the Duchess' London residence and dismiss her servants.
Later enters with Foxe to apprehend the Duchess, allowing her to take several servants with her as attendants; exits with the Duchess. Enters with the watch in pursuit of Dr. Sands and is sent off on a false lead by Sands disguised as a
tiler. When Clunie and the watch return they encounter Hugh Tiler and Jenkin, who deny any knowledge Clunie or Sands; Clunie has them arrested as accomplices to Sands. Clunie next appears with his Guard searching for the escaped Duchess, nearly catching her as she goes to port to escape on the boat provided by
Bertie. Next appears before Bonner and Gardiner with Hugh Tiler and Jenkin, whom he accuses of helping Sands to escape. Joins Bonner and Foxe in the search near Goseling's home for the Duchess and her party. When Foxe knocks Bonner into the well, Clunie fetches rope and the watch for help. After Bonner is pulled out and learns of the Duchess' escape, he sends Clunie and Foxe to pursue her in another boat. Clunie arrives in Europe with Brunswick, Paget, and soldiers to search for the Duchess; he is tricked by the Duchess and her party's bogus funeral procession. Clunie and Foxe are near the Palsgrave's Captain and his soldiers when they apprehend the Duchess, Bertie and the children. Clunie hides in a tree so that the Duchess and Bertie will cooperate with the captain. He falls out of the tree after Foxe cuts the branch, and creeps off vowing vengeance on Foxe. Clunie arrives at Palsgrave's court after the change of regime in England and demands justice against Foxe for cutting the branch, but Palsgrave dismisses his charge and the Duchess forgives him.
CONSTABLE
Searches with officers for the escaping Duchess and her party while she is hidden as Mistress White at Goseling's home, and is fooled by the Duchess' disguise.
COUNTY PALATINE
Name used for Palsgrave at the start of the play.
COX
English reformer jailed during Queen Mary's rule. At the end of the play after
Queen Elizabeth has assumed the English throne, Cox, along with Grindall and
Scory, are released from prison just as Bonner arrives for imprisonment; they refuse to celebrate his fall from power.
CRANMER
Thomas Cranmer, reformist Archbishop of Canterbury, burned at the stake in Oxford, 1556. Enters as Latimer and Ridley are being led to execution, recants his return to Catholicism, and vows to burn his hand in the flames for betraying him; he is taken to prison as Latimer and Ridley are taken to the stake.
CRANWELL
Gentleman-usher to the Duchess of Suffolk. Attends the Duchess at the start of the play. Announces arrival of Palsgrave, then witnesses the Duchess' surprising choice of Bertie for her next husband. Enters after Bertie leaves for Europe to inform the Duchess of the seizure of her property and dismissal of her servants, and is sent to fetch the Duchess a citizen's gown as a disguise for her escape.
Later, Cranwell, with the Duchess disguised as a citizen's wife, Susan, and the
Nurse make their way to the port to await the boat Bertie has arranged for their escape, barely avoiding capture by Clunie and his guard. Cranwell waits with
Duchess, Nurse, Susan, and Dr. Sands at the home of Goseling for transport to
Europe. Boards ship with the Duchess and her party and avoids capture by Bonner and Clunie when Foxe knocks Bonner into a well as a distraction. Arrives in
Europe with the Duchess and her party and attends her on the way to Santon. When thieves attack the Duchess' party, Cranwell is injured, and the Duchess insists he find a surgeon. At Perecell's home, Cranwell hears of the arrival of Clunie's search party and agrees to take part in Perecell's plot to smuggle the Duchess and her son out of town in a coffin by dressing as a mourner. Later appears at Palsgrave's court with Sands fleeing Brunswick and the English Captain. He is given the position of chief secretary to Palsgrave as further protection against Bonner, Clunie and their allies. After Queen Elizabeth assumes power, Cranwell returns to London with the Duchess, Bertie, Sands and Foxe, and is met by Lord Hunsdon, the Lord Admiral, and Lord Clinton, who inform Cranwell that Queen
Elizabeth has appointed him her Gentleman-usher; Cranwell humbly requests to continue in the Duchess' service instead.
DOCTOR SANDS
Duchess of Suffolk's chaplain. Joins Duchess and company as Gardner and Bonner are being led to prison. Escapes from custody after his arrest under the new
Catholic regime of Queen Mary and flees. Later, being pursued by Clunie and the watch, discovers a ladder and tiles left by Hugh Tiler and Jenkin; disguising himself as a tiler, he misdirects Clunie and the watch and escapes. Later Sands joins the Duchess who is disguised as Mistress White, the Nurse, Susan, and Cranwell at Goseling's home to wait for transport to Europe. He boards ship with the Duchess and her party and avoids capture by Bonner and Clunie when Foxe knocks Bonner into a well for a distraction. Arrives in Europe with the Duchess and her party and attends her on the way to Santon. When thieves attack the Duchess' party, Dr. Sands flees. Sands reappears at Perecell's home, where he agrees to take part in Perecell's plot to smuggle the Duchess and her son out of town in a coffin by dressing as a mourner. Later he appears at Palsgrave's court with Cranwell fleeing Brunswick and the English Captain. He is given the position of chaplain to Palsgrave as further protection against Bonner, Clunie and their allies. After Queen Elizabeth assumes power, Sands returns to London with the Duchess, Bertie, Cranwell and Foxe, and is met by Lord Hunsdon, the
Lord Admiral, and Lord Clinton, who inform Sands that Queen Elizabeth has appointed him Archbiship of York.
DUCHESS OF SUFFOLK
Catherine Willoughby, Duchess of Suffolk, important literary and religious patron and supporter of the English Reformation. Enters, attended by Foxe,
Cranwell, Bertie, a Gentlewoman, and Gentlemen, and distributes alms to beggars.
Receives a note from the king asking her to consider marriage to Palsgrave. As she and her party continue to Sussex House, she meets former Catholic bishops
Gardner and Bonner being led to prison; she taunts them for their former persecution of English Reformers. When Bertie suggests she remarry, the Duchess sends out the rest of her party to listen to his suggestion that she marry
Palsgrave; in an aside, she reveals her affection for Bertie. Receives
Palsgrave, Arundell, Northumberland, and Erbaigh, and then announces to them that she will marry her servant Bertie. After the Catholic Queen Mary assumes power, she bids farewell to Bertie, who is fleeing to Europe to escape persecution, and learns from Cranwell of the seizure of her property and dismissal of her servants: she orders Cranwell to fetch her a citizen's gown as a disguise for her escape to Europe to join Bertie. When Foxe enters with Clunie and she learns from Clunie that she can keep only two of her servants, she chooses Cranwell alone, which upsets Foxe; she then leaves in Clunie's custody.
Later, the Duchess, disguised as the citizen's wife Mistress White, with Susan,
Cranwell, and the Nurse make their way to the port to await the boat Bertie has arranged for their escape, barely avoiding capture by Clunie and his guard. She waits in disguise at port with Cranwell, the Nurse, Susan, and Dr. Sands at the home of Goseling for a favorable tide and is almost discovered by the Constable and almost betrayed by Foxe, whose loyalty overcomes his sense of being slighted by the Duchess. The Duchess and her party are able to board ship and escape Bonner and Clunie after Foxe knocks Bonner into a well for a distraction.
Arrives in Europe with the Nurse, Susan, Cranwell, and Dr. Sands, where she is briefly reunited with Bertie. Leaves for Santon without Bertie in order to avoid parties searching for her, and meets a group of thieves who rob her. The Duchess is rescued by Bertie, who arrives disguised as an outlaw, draws off most of the thieves with a distraction, and attacks and binds the thief who robbed the
Duchess. The Duchess then insists Bertie join her to search for the Nurse, who fled with Susan during the thieves' attack. They find Susan in a bush next to the injured Cranwell. The Duchess insists that Cranwell seek a surgeon; she then goes into labor as snow, rain and thunder begin. Bertie takes her and Susan to shelter in a church porch; he shortly returns with Erasmus, who helps Bertie to carry her in a chair back to Perecell's home. At Perecell's home, she gives birth to a son, Peregrine. After escaping the town in a coffin, the Duchess, Bertie, and their children are discovered by Foxe, Clunie, and a band of soldiers led by the Palsgrave's Captain. As Bertie begins to fight the Captain and his soldiers, the Duchess takes a sword and joins him, driving off the soldiers. They flee after Bertie kills the Captain, and are apprehended by the Burgomaster and his soldiers. As Bertie is led to the statehouse for trial, the Duchess discovers that she has lost her children in the confusion. When the Duchess and Bertie are brought by the Burgomaster before Palsgrave for trial,
Erbaigh recognizes them and Palsgrave protects them against the murder charge as well as the warrant brought by Brunswick and the English Captain. The Duchess rejoices in the news of the ascent of Elizabeth to the throne of England brought by Atkinson as well as in the return of her children with Foxe. She forgives both Clunie and Brunswick, and vows to return to England as soon as possible.
Arriving in London, the Duchess distributes alms to the beggars in Marshalsea prison and is then greeted by Lord Hunsdon, the Lord Admiral, and Lord Clinton, who restore her aristocratic titles and her property. She gives more money to the Marshalsea prisoners and then meets the imprisoned Goseling, whom she vows to free by paying off his debts as a sign of gratitude for his service to her when she was disguised as Mistress White. She then praises Foxe's extraordinary loyalty and rewards him with a pension of 100 pounds per year. Finally, the
Duchess leads her party off to see the Queen at Whitehall.
DUKE OF BRUNSWICK
Joins Clunie and Paget in Europe to search for the Duchess and her party. Later appears at Palsgrave's court with the English Captain and a writ for the arrest of the Duchess, Bertie, Cranwell and Sands, and demands that Palsgrave turn them over. After the arrival of Atkinson and the annulling of the writ, Brunswick is forgiven by the Duchess and they part as friends.
DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND
Enters with Earl of Erbaigh to introduce the Earl to the Duchess. Witnesses, along with Palsgrave, Arundel, Erbaigh, Foxe, Cranwell, and Bertie, Duchess' surprising choice of Bertie for her new husband.
EARL OF ARUNDEL
Enters with Palsgrave early in the play. Witnesses, along with Palsgrave,
Northumberland, Erbaigh, Foxe, Cranwell, and Bertie, Duchess' surprising choice of Bertie for her new husband.
EARL OF CROZAM
Title awarded to Bertie by Palsgrave.
EARL OF ERBAIGH
Enters with Duke of Northumberland for introduction to the Duchess. Witnesses, along with Palsgrave, Northumberland, Arundel, Foxe, and Bertie, Duchess' surprising choice of Bertie for her new husband. Later, joins County Palatine at his court and recognizes the Duchess and Bertie when they are broughtin by the Burgomaster for trial.
ELIZABETH
A "ghost character." First Princess and later Queen Elizabeth. First mentioned in the play by the Duchess, who fears for her safety during Queen Mary's reign. In the final act, news of her ascent to the throne and her recall of the Duchess to England arrives at Palsgrave's court with Atkinson. When the Duchess and her party return to London, Queen Elizabeth rewards them by restoring the Duchess' titles and property, offering Bertie the office of Secretary of State, which he declines, making Sands Archbishop of York, and offering Cranwell the office of Gentleman-usher to the Queen, which he also declines.
ENGLISH CAPTAIN
Joins Paget, Brunswick, and Clunie in Europe to search for the Duchess and her party bearing the warrant for their arrest. Appears at Palsgrave's court with Brunswick and soldiers to arrest the Duchess and her party. Has his warrant nullified when Atkinson arrives with news of Queen Elizabeth's ascent to the throne.
ERASMUS
Dutch humanist scholar; speaks only Latin in the play. Encounters Bertie searching for firewood as the Duchess is in labor and assists Bertie carrying her back to the home of Perecell.
FERIS DE RYVIERS
Alternate name for Perecell, used only by Bertie and Erasmus.
FOXE
Servant to the Duchess of Suffolk. Attends Duchess at start of play. Foxe announces the arrival of Northumberland and Erbaigh, then witnesses Duchess' surprising choice of Bertie for her next husband. Returns with Clunie and is shocked when the Duchess does not choose him to attend her in captivity; he vows revenge for the slight. Later, Foxe is brought before Gardner and Bonner for questioning concerning the Duchess' escape. In an aside, he vows not to betray the Duchess, despite his grievance against her. When a Post reports the Duchess' location, Foxe is compelled to accompany Bonner as he pursues her. Before leaving to join Bonner, advises the forgotten Jenkin to go home. Arrives at Goseling's home where, after initially threatening to reveal the Duchess' disguise, he does not reveal her identity to Bonner and Clunie. As the Duchess, Nurse, Susan, Cranwell, and Dr. Sands pass by on their way to the ship, Foxe creates a diversion by knocking Bonner into a well. After Bonner is pulled out and learns of the Duchess' escape, Foxe is sent with Clunie to pursue her in another boat. Foxe arrives at Perecell's home and warns Perecell, Bertie, Cranwell and Sands about the arrival of Paget, Clunie, Brunswick and their search party. With Clunie Foxe watches the Palsgrave's Captain and his soldiers attempt to apprehend the Duchess, Bertie, and their children. After Clunie hides in a tree, Foxe cuts the branch he is on out of his continuing loyalty to the
Duchess. In the confusion of the fighting between Bertie and the Duchess and the
Palsgrave's Captain, Foxe takes the children away for safety. He brings the children to Palsgrave's court, arriving just after news of Queen Elizabeth's ascent to the throne has been announced. When Clunie arrives and demands justice against Foxe, Foxe explains why he cut the tree branch and is pardoned by
Palsgrave. Foxe returns to London with the Duchess, Bertie, Sands, and Cranwell, and is rewarded by the Duchess for his loyalty with a pension of 100 pounds per year.
FRANCISEI DE RYVERS
Erasmus' Latin form of Perecell's alternate name, Feris De Ryviers.
GARDNER
The historical Stephen Gardiner (c.1497-1555), Catholic Bishop of Winchester under Henry VIII and Mary I. Met by the Duchess and her company early in the play as he is led to the Tower under guard. Along with Bonner, freed from prison and restored to office when Clunie brings news of King Edward VI's death and
Mary I's succession; begins plotting revenge against supporters of religious reform. Receives commission from Queen Mary via Lord Paget to cleanse the state of heresy. Questions Bertie concerning the Duchess' religious beliefs, and allows Bertie to leave for Europe. Later, appears with Bonner to hear Clunie's accusation that Hugh Tiler and Jenkin helped Sands to escape, and quickly concludes that Hugh Tiler and Jenkin are heretics. Later, waiting for news of the search in Europe for the Duchess, Gardner describes a dream of the Duchess and Bertie on a throne with crowns of gold, which Bonner interprets as an image of their burning at the stake.
GOSELING
A merchant who shelters the disguised Duchess, Nurse, Susan, Cranwell, and Dr. Sands as they wait in England to flee to Europe. The Duchess disguised as
Mistress White pretends to be Goseling's daughter to fool the Constable. After the Duchess and her party escape by ship, Goseling reports their flight to Bonner, who promises to reward Goseling. At the end of the play, Goseling, imprisoned for debt, appears before the Duchess in London; she promises to free him by paying his debts in return for his service to her while she was disguised as Mistress White.
GRINDALL
Edmund Grindal, English reformer jailed during Queen Mary's rule and Bishop of London under Queen Elizabeth. At the end of the play after Queen Elizabeth has assumed the English throne, Grindall, along with Cox and Scory, are released from prison just as Bonner arrives for imprisonment; they refuse to celebrate his fall from power.
HUGH TILER
A tiler. Enters with Jenkin as well as roof tiles and a ladder. Before beginning work, leaves with Jenkin for a pot of ale and a toast to warm up. Returns with
Jenkin to meet Clunie and the watch searching for Sands; denies seeing Sands, and is arrested by Clunie for aiding Sands' escape. Brought by Clunie before
Bonner and Gardner, who readily accept Clunie's charge of aiding Sands' escape and demand that he be burned at the stake. After arrival of news concerning the
Duchess, Hugh Tiler and Jenkin are forgotten; Foxe advises them to go home rather than wait for Bonner and Gardner's return.
JENKIN
A tiler. Enters with Hugh Tiler as well as roof tiles and a ladder. Before beginning work, leaves with Hugh Tiler for a pot of ale and a toast to warm up.
Returns with Hugh Tiler to meet Clunie and the watch searching for Sands; denies seeing Sands, and is arrested by Clunie for aiding Sands' escape. Brought by
Clunie before Bonner and Gardner, who readily accept Clunie's charge of aiding
Sands' escape and demand that he be burnt at the stake. After arrival of news concerning the Duchess, Jenkin and Hugh Tiler are forgotten; Foxe advises them to go home rather than wait for Bonner and Gardner's return.
KEEPER
Keeper of the Marshalsea prison. He receives Bonner into custody at the end of the play, and releases Grindall, Cox, and Scory at the same time.
LATIMER
Hugh Latimer, reformist Bishop of Worcester, burnt at the stake in Oxford, 1555.
While being led to execution with Ridley by guards, Latimer professes his continued faith in religious reform, and is gratified to hear Cranmer's recantation of his return to Catholicism.
LORD ADMIRAL
The Lord Admiral, along with Lord Hunsdon and Lord Clinton, greets the Duchess,
Bertie, Sands, Cranwell, and Foxe as they return to London from Europe after
Queen Elizabeth comes to the throne.
LORD CLINTON
Clinton, along with Lord Hunsdon and the Lord Admiral, greets the Duchess,
Bertie, Sands, Cranwell, and Foxe as they return to London from Europe after
Queen Elizabeth comes to the throne.
LORD EFFINGHAM
Name used by the Duchess for the Lord Admiral.
LORD HUNSDON
Hunsdon, along with the Lord Admiral and Lord Clinton, greets the Duchess,
Bertie, Sands, Cranwell, and Foxe as they return to London from Europe after
Queen Elizabeth comes to the throne.
LORD PAGET
Brings commission from Queen Mary to Gardner and Bonner ordering them to cleanse the state of heresy. Sends Clunie to fetch Bertie for questioning. Later appears in Europe with Clunie and Brunswick, searching for the Duchess and her party.
LORD WILLOUGHBY
Title used by the Duchess for her son Peregrine.
MESSENGER
Brings Bonner and Gardner news that the Duchess has escaped the search organized by Clunie but also brings along Foxe for questioning.
MISTRESS WHITE
Disguise assumed by the Duchess (q.v.) while escaping from England. The Duchess disguised as Mistress White pretends to be Goseling's daughter to fool the
Constable.
MOURNER, FIRST
One of the Mourners accompanying the funeral procession for Vandermast, which enters just after the Duchess' false procession has exited. The First Mourner denies any knowledge of an earlier funeral procession when questioned by the English Captain.
NICHOLAS VAN HOUE
Name given to the Burgomaster by Palsgrave.
NURSE
Duchess's wet-nurse, who cares for Susan and later Peregrine. Accompanies the Duchess, Susan, and Cranwell to port to escape on the boat provided by Bertie.
Boards ship with the Duchess and her party and avoids capture by Bonner and
Clunie when Foxe knocks Bonner into a well for a distraction. Arrives in Europe with the Duchess and her party and attends her on the way to Santon. When thieves attack the Duchess' party, the Nurse flees with Susan. As she flees, she leaves Susan in the woods for safety.
PALSGRAVE
Also referred to as County Palatine at the start of the play, he becomes King of Poland early in the play. Enters with Earl of Arundel to discuss his possible marriage with the Countess. Witnesses, along with Arundel, Northumberland,
Erbaigh, Foxe, Cranwell, and Bertie, Duchess' surprising choice of Bertie for her new husband. Reappears at his court with the Earl of Erbaigh in the final act of the play, where he is about to hear the Burgomaster's case against Bertie when he recognizes the Duchess and Bertie and immediately dismisses the case against Bertie as well as the demand by Brunswick and the English Captain that he surrender the Duchess and her party for arrest and transport back to England. To protect them further, he creates Bertie Earl of Crozam, makes Dr. Sands his chaplain, and Cranwell his chief secretary. After Atkinson brings news of the annulling of the warrant against the Duchess with the ascent of Queen Elizabeth to the English throne, Palsgrave dismisses Clunie's claims against Foxe and offers the Duchess what assistance she needs to return to England.
PALSGRAVE'S CAPTAIN
Officer in Palsgrave's service. Following Clunie's instructions, attempts to arrest Duchess and Bertie; when they resist, Bertie fights with the Captain and kills him. Known as Wisendrop to the Burgomaster.
PERECELL
A Walloon or French-speaking Belgian, also known as Feris de Ryviers. Assists Bertie in Europe when the Duchess and her party arrive from England. Bertie stays with Perecell after the Duchess, Nurse, child, Cranwell, and Dr. Sands continue on to Santon. Perecell then receives the party headed for Santon after they are attacked by thieves and the Duchess goes into labor, forcing their return. After the Duchess gives birth to her son and Foxe announces the arrival of Clunie and his search party, Perecell suggests that they smuggle the Duchess and her son out of town in a coffin, with Bertie, Sands and Cranwell disguised as mourners.
PEREGRINE
A non-speaking character. Name given to the child born to the Duchess (her second) after she is brought to the home of Perecell. After escaping town, Peregrine and Susan are taken for safety by Foxe after Bertie and the Duchess kill the Palsgrave's Captain. Foxe returns Susan and Peregrine to the Duchess at Palsgrave's court just after Atkinson brings news of Queen Elizabeth assuming the throne.
PORTGRAVE
Mayor of the town in Europe where Perecell lives and where Bertie, the Duchess, and their party are hiding. He assures Clunie, Paget, and Brunswick that the passing funeral is for Vandermast rather than a trick of the Duchess'.
POST
Brings news to Bonner and Gardner that the Duchess has been discovered in disguise at a port in Essex.
QUEEN MARY
A "ghost character." Returns England to Catholicism after Edward VI's reign, ordering Bonner and Gardner to cleanse the land of heresy. Issues the warrant for the arrest of the Duchess, Bertie, Cranwell, and Sands carried by the
English Captain.
RAYNAULD
A "ghost character." Related to Foxe; has a country property to which Foxe flees after the Duchess refuses to take him as an attendant when she is apprehended by
Clunie.
RIDLEY
Nicholas Ridley, reformist Bishop of London, burnt at the stake in Oxford, 1555.
While being led to execution with Latimer by guards, Ridley professes his continued faith in religious reform, and is gratified to hear Cranmer's recantation of his return to Catholicism.
SCORY
English reformer jailed during Queen Mary's rule. At the end of the play after
Queen Elizabeth has assumed the English throne, Scory, along with Grindall and
Cox, are released from prison just as Bonner arrives for imprisonment; they refuse to celebrate his fall from power.
SEXTON
Discovers Bertie as he searches for firewood to warm the Duchess, who has gone into labor. Bertie strikes him and he runs off crying for help.
SHERIFF
Explains to the impatient Bonner why Latimer and Ridley are delayed on their way to the stake.
SUSAN
A non-speaking character. Duchess' first child. Taken by the Duchess in her disguise as a citizen's wife to port to escape on the boat provided by Bertie. Boards ship with the Duchess and her party and avoids capture by Bonner and Clunie when Foxe knocks Bonner into a well as a distraction. The Nurse flees with the child when the Duchess' party is attacked by thieves in Europe; after fleeing, she leaves Susan in the woods for safety. The child is discovered by the Duchess and Bertie in a bush next to the injured Cranwell. As the Duchess goes into labor and it begins to rain, snow and thunder, Susan and the Duchess shelter in a church porch, and finally they are taken by Bertie and Erasmus to the home of Perecell. After escaping town, Susan along with Peregrine are taken for safety by Foxe after Bertie and the Duchess kill the Palsgrave's Captain. Foxe returns Susan and Peregrine to the Duchess at Palsgrave's court just after Atkinson brings news of Queen Elizabeth assuming the throne.
THIEVES
Attack Duchess, Nurse, Child, Cranwell and Dr. Sands in Europe as they leave
Bertie and Perecell and head for Santon. They injure Cranwell and rob the
Duchess. Bertie, disguised as an outlaw, draws most of the thieves away with a false report of passing rich merchants; he then attacks and binds the remaining thief, rescues the Duchess and assists the wounded Cranwell.
VANDERMAST
A "ghost character." Brother of a friend of Perecell's who recently died. Perecell uses the Portgrave's knowledge of Vandermast's death to allow the Duchess and her party's bogus funeral procession to pass Clunie's search party without suspicion. Vandermast's actual funeral procession enters just after the
Duchess's false one exits.
WISENDROP
Name given to the Palsgrave's Captain by the Burgomaster.