Characters / The Sunne in Splendour

Characters from the novel ‘’The Sunne in Splendour’’

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The Yorks

The Yorks

Richard, Duke of Gloucester

• Armor-Piercing Question: When Edward wonders why Richard is giving in to George's theft of Anne's money, Richard asks Edward what dowry Elizabeth Woodville brought with her? Edward is impressed.
• The Baby of the Bunch: The youngest of the York brothers, Edward is ten years older than him. He's a child when his father is killed and Edward becomes king.
• Beware the Nice Ones: Quiet and generally kind, Richard has a furious temper and can be impulsive. Overlaps with Beware the Quiet Ones.
• Big Brother Worship: His early life is defined by loyalty to his older brother Edward, whom he adores. This leads to a Broken Pedestal as Edward declines into hedonism and especially when Richard figures out why Edward executed George.
• Byronic Hero: Sensitive and brooding, he always has a touch of this but by the last part of the novel, Richard takes a dark turn and this only serves to fuel Bess's crush on him.
• The Charmer: He is not the flamboyant Casanova that his older brother is, but Richard has a way with women, if he cares about them. He devotes himself to Anne and even well into their marriage, she marvels at what an ardent lover he is.
• Creepy Uncle: Averted, but thanks to Malicious Slander and Bess's crush on him, people think Richard wants to marry her.
• Death Seeker: After losing Anne and his son, Richard declines into melancholy and becomes this.
• The Evil Prince: Completely averted in the early part of the book, as he is loyal to Edward and doesn't want George executed. Subverted later, in that he deposes his nephews based on legitimate evidence and genuine concern for what the Woodville-controlled Edward V would mean for the country.
• The Determinator: Once Richard sets his mind on a course, there is little that will stop him. He may not initially want to be king, but when he feels that he doesn't have a choice and it is his right, he pursues the crown ruthlessly.
• Family Man: Once he marries Anne, Richard devotes himself to her and his children.
• The Fettered: The strait-laced Richard takes honor and loyalty very seriously, and he makes sacrifices for it.
• Good Is Not Soft: Richard is a moral person but he lives in a brutal world and is a fierce warrior and sometimes is forced to be politically ruthless.
• Good Parents: While he can't help favoring his son Edward, Richard does right by his two bastard children Kathryn and Johnny. Even when wrecked by little Edward's death, he assures Johnny that he would not have preferred it to be Johnny who died.
• Happily Married: Richard doesn't stray from Anne's bed once he marries her, and they genuinely love one another.
• Heroes Love Dogs: Richard loves his dog, Gareth. He also gifts puppies to his sons, Ned and Johnny.
• Historical Hero Upgrade: The novel was written in part to restore Richard’s reputation.
• Honest Advisor: Richard serves as this to Edward, when Edward allows him.
• Honor Before Reason: Richard sides with Edward more than once when the smart money was on Lancaster. He also is furious with Edward when he makes a treaty with France.
• The Idealist: Warwick observes that his young cousin is both a moralist and an idealist, which is a difficult combination.
• Knight in Shining Armor: He rides to rescue Anne on a white horse.
• The Lancer: Although he is the protagonist of the book, in-universe he is this to Edward for most of the story
• Pet the Dog: Richard is introduced as boy, caring for his pet fox to the point where he becomes lost.
• Prince Charming: His romance with Anne makes him a dashing figure, who rescues her from George and makes her equal to Isabel.
• Princely Young Man: Of the Warrior Prince and Prince Charming variety at various times.
• The Quiet One: Richard is a man of few words, even among his close circle of friends he only seems to speak when necessary. Only when he is alone with Anne, who is also quiet, do the two of them become talkative.
• Rage Breaking Point: When George slut-shames Anne, Richard lunges at him and Edward has to physically restrain Richard.
• Reluctant Ruler: Richard was happy ruling his northern holdings on behalf of his brother the king, whose death devastates him. He was also fully prepared to be the Lord Protector for his young nephew. But when he realizes The Woodvilles will not only never let him rule for the boy but are also conspiring against him, he is embraces the genuine evidence that his brother's children are illegitimate.
• Royals Who Actually Do Something: Richard is nothing, if not a hard worker. He takes his position as constable seriously and despite his youth, does a good job. Later, when he's not successfully ruling the North on behalf of his brother, he's cleaning up Edward's military messes. When he does seize the throne, he sets about to make needed reforms and he scrubs away some of the debauchery and corruption that plagued Edward's rule. That last part makes him some dangerous enemies.
• Rules Lawyer: As Constable of England, he's essentially attorney general and takes pride in using the law fairly. He also uses the letter of the law to disinherit Edward and George's sons and seize the throne for himself. He is so confident in his arguments that he does not have the Princes in the Tower killed, as history says he did.
• Thicker Than Water: Richard has good reason to hate George and he pretty much does, but he is absolutely horrified that Edward is willing to execute him.
• Undying Loyalty: Serves Edward faithfully and accompanies him into exile. Even Edward wonders why Richard gave up the favor of Warwick and his love, Anne, for Edward.
• Warrior Prince: All young men of his class are trained for battle, but Edward is surprised as just how good a commander Richard turns out to be. He wins Edward's trust, and Edward knows he owes his victories at Barnet and Tewksbury to his little brother.

Edward IV

• Big Brother Instinct: Edward dotes on the younger Richard, remembering his birthday and sending him a puppy as a gift. Later, he goes out of his way to rescue Anne after Tewksbury and see to it she is reunited with Richard.
• Born Lucky: Everyone notices that Edward seems lucky, and more than one person wonders why anyone would bet against him. At least for awhile.
• Broken Pedestal: Richard finds his brother's physical decline and his execution of their brother George to be inexcusable.
• The Casanova: Edward is a womanizer, and he’s introduced to seducing Richard’s nanny away from her duties. He marries for love, but he cheats on Elizabeth.
• Captured on Purpose: As Warwick and George rebel, Edward realizes he can't beat them militarily. Will and Richard expect him to run, but he doesn't. He lets Warwick capture him and proves to be a Poisonous Captive, still king, the popular with the people and still unwilling to be Warwick's puppet.
• The Chessmaster: Edward seems affable, but he’s keenly aware of politics. He likes having his wife’s Woodville relatives around because they depend on him for their status. Alas, King Louis of France is a better player than him.
• Dark Secret: He wasn't free to marry Elizabeth because he was promised to Nell Butler. This haunts him, and he does not react well when he realizes George knows about it.
• Good Parents: He may be a philandering husband, but Edward is an unusually doting father, especially when it comes to his girls.
• The Hedonist: Edward IV is a man of insatiable appetites and has a Decadent Court to match, much to his little brother Richard's frustration. Edward's Best Friend Will Hastings and his stepson Thomas Grey join Edward in the pursuit of pleasure, and Richard low-key blames them for Edward's early death, as he does all Edward's enablers.
• Hot-Blooded: Edward is passionate, and he is eventually consumed by his passions.
• Knight in Shining Armor: When Ned returns home after his father's death, he arrives in glittering armor on a white horse and gets a spectacular welcome from the local crowds. His mother thinks he looks like a king.
• Marry for Love: He loves Elizabeth Woodville and never seems to regret all the trouble his marriage to her caused.
• Never Hurt an Innocent: Edward tries to live by this, punishing nobles for sedition and treason but not their men. He even forgives some nobles. He's troubled by the idea of outright killing Edouard in a manner similar to Edmund's death, and he really feels bad about having to murder Henry VI, even though it is sadly justified.
• Not Even Bothering with an Excuse: Warwick, among others, is furious that Edward marries Elizabeth Woodville but he doesn't bother with an excuse. Most of the men at court understand when they see how beautiful she is.
• The Puppet Cuts His Strings: Warwick fully expects Edward to be a Puppet King, but as soon as he's on the throne, Edward shows everyone that he is his own man, and while he is grateful for his cousin's help, he is going to rule alone.
• Reasonable Authority Figure:
  • Serves as this while dealing with conflict between Richard and George over George's betrayals and Anne's fortune. He understands why Richard despises George but he calms his little brother down and explains that he can't afford to have George hate him. When it comes to his own later dealings with George, he proves unreasonable, however.
  • Is generally mercifully to Lancastrians as long as they swear loyalty. This doesn't always go well, but he genuinely is trying to heal wounds and unite the country. He's especially forgiving of Anne, to her surprise.
• Royals Who Actually Do Something: Edward applies himself to governing and politics, and he genuinely wants to help his people. After he defeats Margaret of Anjou for good, his reign is peaceful and successful.
• Shipper on Deck: When he realizes that Richard is is love with Anne and heartbroken at losing her, he feels terrible. So much so, that he takes special care to protect Anne after she is widowed and reunite her with Richard.
• Sugar-and-Ice Personality: Edward projects affability and charm, but don't cross him.
• Survivor's Guilt: Edward reveals himself to be haunted by Edmund's death years after it happened.
• Warrior Prince: The Lancasters think the death of Edward’s father is a victory, but Edward reacts furiously and takes the crown, becoming a Warrior King.
• Young Conqueror: Ned returns home after Towton on a white horse and looking every bit a king. Cecily is proud of her son and the way the crowds adore him, but she feels uneasy and fears it will go to his head.

George, Duke of Clarence

• Big Brother Bully: Picks on young Richard, until Richard fights back.
• The Cynic: George hasn't much time for loyalty and/or honor and he looks down on his brothers who do.
• Despair Event Horizon: Really starts to go over the edge after Isabel's death, though he tries to make a go of a foreign match, Edward thwarts him. Then, he really crosses the line with the judicial murders of Ankarette Twynyho and another servant.
• The Evil Prince: He rebels against Edward before he ever knows about Nell Butler, but he completely fails at his bid for the crown. In fact, he fails so spectacularly Edward is more annoyed than infuriated.
• Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: George is the foolish one of the two youngest York boys, but he tries to come off as otherwise.
• Financial Abuse: George controls Anne's money so he controls her, and he plans to steal that money.
• Jerkass George is the worst, disloyal, petty and self-involved. He's also a domestic abuser and corrupt.
• Jerkass Has a Point: Edward's children are illegitimate based on the laws of the time, and Edward knows it. So based on that, George has every right to be angry at his brother. He should be the heir.
• Oh, Crap!: When Stillington tells him that he drunkenly told Edward that he knows about Nell Butler, George realizes that his brother is going to have him killed.
• Parental Favoritism: Cecily favors George over Richard or Edward, and he knows it, although she may just stick up for him because he has no one in his corner.
• Regretful Traitor: George thought Warwick would make him king, and when that doesn't turn out, he deeply regrets betraying his brother.
• The Resenter: George hates Edward and covets his crown, and he is also jealous of Edward’s affection for Richard.
• Sanity Slippage: After Isabel’s death, George loses his grip.
• Spare to the Throne: Before Edward has sons, George is his heir and deeply covets his throne.
• Successful Sibling Syndrome: Edward’s kingship and Richard’s military prowess inspire much envy.
• The Unfavorite: Edward favors Richard far more than he does George, and with good reason.
• Weak-Willed: Unlike his brothers, George is easily manipulated, flattered and led down the wrong path.

Edmund, Earl of Rutland

• Aloof Big Brother: Not as fond of children as Edward and certainly not as extroverted as Edward, Richard doesn't feel as close to or as comfortable around Edmund, but Edmund is there when it counts.
• Big Brother Instinct: In the early chapters, Edmund is the one who looks out for Richard’s well-being. Edward is too self-centered to notice his brother has become lost.
• Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: Edmund plays the responsible role to Edward’s casanova in early chapters.
• The Heart: Edmund calls his brothers out when necessary, advises them kindly when necessary.
• The Lost Lenore: Everyone is devastated by Edmund’s death, and Edward thinks about it years into his kingship.
• Too Good for This Sinful Earth: Thoughtful and sensitive, Edmund’s fundamental decency makes his death even more devastating.
• The Quiet One: Edmund doesn't have his older brother's charm or extroversion, and he worries about this. Yet, he's the one who sees things that Edward can't.
• Sacrificial Lamb: Edmund is probably the most well-developed character early in the book, and he is the POV character. His death is a gut-punch, even if you know the historical record and know it is coming.
• Wise Prince: Edmund is wise-beyond-his-years, with little of his brothers' hot-headedness. Edward seems to realize history would have been different had Edmund lived and been able to influence him. Richard may replace Edmund on some levels, but having a wiser, near-in-age brother willing to call you out is something Edward misses.

Margaret of York

• Altar Diplomacy: Meg is not happily married to Charles the Bold, but she represents the York cause in Burgundy, and she also is key to helping George return to the Yorkist side after his defection.
• Princess Classic: Cecily worries that her youngest daughter is too pretty for her own good.
• Big Sister Instinct: Worries for George and Richard when they are sent away.

Cecily Neville, Duchess of York

• Dark Secret: Played with. Most of the characters dismiss the rumors that Edward's father was not Richard of York, but George has his suspicions.
• Doting Grandparent: She fears rejection by Edward's children, but she is immediately charmed by and captivated by Bess.
• Motherhood Is Superior: She's the mother of many children, two of whom become king, and she uses her two youngest boys as a weapon when the Lancasters take her prisoner. She is also kind to young Anne, and she disapproves that Anne's mother is not so motherly.
• Old Money: The Nevilles rival the Plantagenets themselves as far as being old money, and Cecily despises Elizabeth Woodville's common roots.
• Proper Lady: Cecily comports herself like the duchess she is, and she commands respect. Even Edward blanches at her withering stares.

Elizabeth of York

• Altar Diplomacy: She is married to Henry Tudor after Richard's death, uniting the houses of Lancaster and York.
• Daddy's Girl: She's Edward's favorite child, and he dotes on her.
• The Heart: Is this among Edward's children.
• Like Mother, Unlike Daughter: Good natured and kind, Bess is not the iron-willed schemer her mother is.
• Princess Classic: In a world of grey morality and scheming royals, Bess is pretty much a classic good princess.
• Spoiled Sweet: Being her father's favorite has just made Bess sweet, if a bit sheltered.
• Young Future Famous People: Introduced as a precocious little girl, she will grow up to be Queen of England, the matriarch of the Tudor family and the mother of England's most famous and most notorious king.

The Nevilles

The Nevilles

Anne Neville

• Annoying Younger Sibling: Isabel absolutely finds Anne to be this.
• Beware the Nice Ones: Anne is usually docile and good-natured, but she also has a spine. She resists marrying Edouard and she remains a Yorkist partisan. This overlaps with a soft version of Lady Macbeth as she hates The Woodvilles, with good reason, and knows if they are in power her family is not safe so she encourages Richard to seize the throne.
• Broken Bird: After her brief, traumatic marriage to Edouard and her father’s death, Richard finds Anne has become this. She does heal, but it takes time.
• Childhood Friend Romance: Anne has had a crush on Richard from the time she is a small child.
• Child Marriage Veto: Averted but poor Anne tries to get out of marrying Edouard.
• The Confidant: Richard confides in Anne and she supports him emotionally but also politically.
• Damsel in Distress: Richard literally rides in on a white horse to save her from her hiding place, after she had to flee from George. Although it overlaps with Defiant Captive and Damsel out of Distress as she is incensed at being held prisoner by George, and she and Veronique take matters into their own hands and run away until Richard is able to rescue her.
• Delicate and Sickly: Invoked by George when Richard tries to see Anne in the weeks after Tewksbury, but she's actually healthy and wants to see Richard. Later, it's played straight as she gets an Incurable Cough of Death and passes away.
• Despair Event Horizon: Her son Edward's death breaks Anne, and her health begins to decline.
• Girl in the Tower: Edward and Richard think they are sending Anne to safety with her sister, but George keeps her a virtual prisoner in his castle, not letting her downstairs to see Richard, who has come to woo her.
• Girl Next Door: Sure, she lives in the next castle, but the good-natured Anne is the Betty to both Elizabeth Woodville and her sister Isabel.
• The Glorious War of Sisterly Rivalry: Isabel is the pretty one, the one the gets most of the attention from men, and the one her father thinks would make a great queen. Anne is wise and kind, and Richard finds her pretty, but she is often overshadowed.
• The Heart: Even as a small child, people are won over by Anne's kindness. Edmund, Cecily, Francis and even Edward find her charming, and most of them end up wanting her and Richard together. Even Somerset speaks up for Anne before his execution, not wanting her to suffer for her father's betrayal.
• Lets Wait Awhile: While she is in sanctuary after fleeing George, Anne and Richard decide not to consummate their relationship until they are officially married, despite their intense attraction to one another.
• Lie Back and Think of England: Basically told this when she has to have sex with Edouard. She finds the experience revolting and thinks she might be frigid, but she learns to enjoy sex with Richard.
• Locked Away in a Monastery: George plans to lock Anne away in a convent to steal her fortune, at least that's what he tells Isabel. Veronique suspects he's got something even worse in mind.
• The Lost Lenore: Anne's decline and death devastates Richard.
• Parental Substitute:
  • Realizes she neglects her stepson in favor of her son, even as poor Johnny has been mostly abandoned by his mother. Anne makes an effort to correct his and becomes attached to Johnny, though she finds his survival painful after her son's death.
  • Tries to parent her sister's orphaned children, and she realizes to her horror that her sister's Edward has been raised without love or affection.
• Princess in Rags: With the help of Veronique, she puts herself in servant's garb and hides in a tavern.
• Ruling Couple: Because of Anne's ties to the Neville lands, she's of great help to Richard as he ably governs his northern holdings. The people remember her parents and love her immediately, but he must earn their trust.
• Secretly Wealthy: Anne hides out for a time as a kitchen maid at an inn. The denizens recognize that she is not a typical servant but they are shocked to learn she is a great heiress. From the Lancastrian perspective, it's also a King Incognito situation, as she's their Dowager Princess.
• Smart People Play Chess: Anne may be sweet, but she's not stupid. Her father doesn't believe any girl, let alone Anne, could learn to play chess. But Richard teaches her, and they play chess together even as adults.
• Too Good for This Sinful Earth: Anne's decency and practicality rubs off on Richard, and losing her is agony for him.
• The Unfavorite: Warwick openly favors the more ravishingly beautiful Isabel, but when his plans for George don't turn out, he turns his attention to his quiet younger daughter.
• Women Are Delicate: Anne is not physically robust and everyone around her seems to recognize this and many feel protective of her because of it, especially Richard.

Isabel Neville

• Betty and Veronica: Isabel is the Veronica to her little sister's Betty.
• Big Sister Instinct: Despite their rivalry, Isabel is horrified by George’s plans for Anne and alerts her sister.
• Domestic Abuse: George severely beats Isabel, something that Anne finds shocking.
• Proud Beauty: Isabel is proud of her own beauty and angry at being overshadowed by Woodvilles.
• Shipper on Deck: While George is holding Anne as a virtual prisoner and denying Richard's requests to see her, Isabel arranges for them to meet in the solar, prompting George to think she might as well have tucked them in bed together.
• Tragic Stillbirth: Forced to give birth on a ship, Isabel’s first child is born dead.

Richard, Earl of Warwick

• The Dandy: When the wealthy-in-his own-right Francis first sees the Earl, he is impressed with the Earl's beautiful clothes.
• Happily Married: Although it was an arranged marriage, the Warwick loves his wife deeply.
• The Kingmaker: The historical namer for this trope, Edward could not have become king with out him and Warwick is furious when Edward prefers the Woodvilles over him.
• Knight Templar Parent: He wants his daughters close to the throne, and then he wants Isabel to be queen. When that doesn't work out, he wants Anne to be queen. He cares little for their opinions on his ambitions.
• The Resenter: Boils with resentment over Edward's snubs.
• Parental Substitute: Is formally this for Richard, George and Francis as they are his fosters and he is charged teaching them to be knights. After their father is killed, he also attempts to parent Richard and George, more successfully with George since Richard favors Edward.
• We Used to Be Friends: Both Ned and Richard are very shocked and saddened that they will be facing Warwick in battle.
• Worthy Opponent: Once he switches sides, both Richard and Edward see him as this and take no pleasure in his death.

John Neville, 1st Marquess of Montagu

• Big Brother Worship: Johnny's Loyalty to his brother Warwick leads him to join the rebellion, but he's highly conflicted.
• Conflicting Loyalties: Agonizingly so, as he was cut down fighting for Lancaster but revealed to have been wearing York colors under his armor. Edward and Richard take this hard.
• Cool Uncle: Definitely this to Anne and Isabel, and by extension to Richard and George.
• The Mentor: Gives young Richard sage advice about not trying to keep up with Edward, especially when it comes to women.
• Nice Guy: Everyone, even the Lancastrians, agree Johnny is a nice guy.

Anne Beauchamp, Countess of Warwick

• Forgiven, but Not Forgotten: Anne's daughter (also Anne) forgives her for pushing her into an unhappy marriage and then abandoning her, but she never forgets or truly trusts her mother again.
• Locked Away in a Monastery: She abandons both her daughters to hide in sanctuary in an abbey. After Edward retakes the throne, he denies her permission to leave to keep her out of the way. Eventually, Anne and Richard take her into their household.
• Happily Married: Is in love with her husband, so much so that she neglects her children's feelings to support him.
• Parental Abandonment: After her husband's death, she hides in sanctuary and leaves Anne to fend for herself.

The Woodvilles

The Woodvilles

Elizabeth Woodville

• Alpha Bitch: Elizabeth uses her position as queen to advance her family and punish her enemies.
• The Cynic: Elizabeth is hard as nails, and outside of sexually, cold as ice. She's not close to her children, and she even suspects Anne of being a manipulator because men are protective of her. She doesn't get that kindness is what is inspiring that.
• Evil Queen and Evil Matriarch: Becomes this to her brood of children after Edward dies. She's fiercely protective, hates Richard and makes a deal with Margaret Beaufort to put her daughter on the throne. Ironically, she gets banished from court by her former allies once they win.
• Hot Consort: Everyone agrees she is absolutely beautiful.
• Ice Queen: Outside of sexually, she's this and a literal queen on top of it.
• Jerkass Cold and self-advancing, Elizabeth isn't a good person nor does she try to be. It blows up in her face, especially when she winds up worse off under Henry Tudor than she was under Richard.
• Jerkass Has a Point: She has every right to be enraged at Edward when she finds out their marriage isn't valid. Anne, of all people, shows sympathy and tells Richard she understands why Elizabeth is willing to fight so fiercely for her children.
• Locked Away in a Monastery: Her fate once Margaret Beaufort and Henry Tudor are in charge of the court. Sure, her daughter becomes queen and her decedents still rule England, but her own life was in fact better under Richard.
• Knight Templar Parent: Once she finds out her children are illegitimate, she reacts furiously and encourages Edward to do whatever it takes, including execute George, to keep that secret. She regrets not killing Stillington herself.
• Marry for Love: She absolutely enjoys being queen, but she truly loves Edward and especially enjoys him as a lover, so when he lets himself go she feels a tinge of sorrow.
• Social Climber: She's an impoverished commoner who manages to snag the king, and she takes her whole family up the class ladder with her. This fosters massive resentment.
• Vanity Is Feminine: Elizabeth is justifiably vain, even though she is scorned for it. Her beauty is what got her where she is, and she knows it.

Thomas Grey

• Dumbass Teenage Son: Richard and his circle don't think much of his intellectual abilities, and he's a male Dumb Blond, too.
• Mama's Boy: Richard may not think much of Thomas, but his mother finds him a loyal and useful ally, willing to give her information she needs.
• Spoiled Brat: Thomas hit the jackpot when his mother married the king, and he takes full advantage. Edward indulges him.
• Weak-Willed: So passive he makes George look strong.

The Lancasters

The Lancasters

Henry VI

• Cloud Cuckoolander: Is sweet and sometimes spews nonsense.
• The Coroner Doth Protest Too Much: The official story is that Henry dies of a broken heart, but Ned killed him himself to prevent further rebellions. Ned doesn't feel good about it, but he thinks it was necessary.
• Nice Guy: He's far too kind to be a king in such brutal times.
• Puppet King: Is controlled by either his wife or whatever strong-willed counselor is nearest, most of the time.
• Royally Screwed Up: He's literally a mad king, prone to bouts of catatonia.

Margaret of Anjou

• Evil Queen: The Yorks thinks of her as this, with George, Richard, Isabel and Anne thinking of her as the "Bad Queen" as children.
• Hidden Depths: She's the villain, but she's not the cartoon monster the York children think she is. She's in an arranged marriage with a weak, mentally ill man and has had to step up to rule. Anne notices her layers, especially after Margaret seems to have more compassion for Anne than her own mother.
• Knight Templar Parent: She will do anything to see to it Edouard gets on the throne.
• Lady of War: Is present at battles, develops military strategy.

Edouard of Lancaster

• Momma's Boy: He is very, very attached to Margaret of Anjou.
• Marital Rape License: He forces himself on Anne because he can.
• Prince Charmless: Despite being handsome, Anne sees right through him.
• Royal Brat: Spoiled and bloodthirsty, Edouard is used to getting his way.

Edmund Beaufort, Duke of Somerset

• Anti-Villain He may be a Lancastrian, but he is honorable and disgusted by soldiers abusing civilians.
• Knight Templar: He believes in the Lancastrian cause, and he can't or won't see why so many don't.
• Never Hurt an Innocent: He tries to live by this, and he sticks up for Anne Neville to Richard.

Others

Others

Francis Lovell

• Beta Couple: He and Véronique's romance is this in the book.
• Best Friend: He is Richard's most loyal friend, even after Richard's death.
• Bonding over Missing Parents: Both Richard and Francis have lost their fathers to the war, albeit on opposite sides.
• Conflicting Loyalties: At first, Francis is torn between his Lancastrian family and his friendship with Richard. By the end of the book, he's ride or die for Richard.
• The Lancer: Is this for Richard, both literally and figuratively.
• Lonely Rich Kid: Despite being very rich, Francis is miserable when he first arrives to Middleham, as a Lancastrian and untitled, he's mercilessly bullied and feels very much alone. Richard befriends him.
• Noble Fugitive: Francis's fate after Richard dies at Bosworth.
• Positive Friend Influence: Francis looks up to Richard, and having earned that means something to Richard. Francis in turn will tell him the truth, including encouraging him to take the crown because there are many who believe it is the right thing to do.
• Sympathetic Adulterer: Francis is in an unhappy Arranged Marriage but falls in love with Veronique.
• Undying Loyalty: Francis never betrays Richard, even after he dies.

Véronique de Crecy

• Beta Couple: She is one half of the book's beta couple, with Francis Lovell.
• Best Friend: She's Anne's best friend and comes up with a way to save her from George, until Richard can.
• Contrived Clumsiness: She pulls this when she "trips" and falls into Richard's arms, so she can whisper in his ear that Anne is not sick as George claims and wants to see Richard.
• Lady-In-Waiting: She becomes Anne's Lady-in-Waiting when Anne is Princess of Wales and stays with her.
• Plucky Girl: Her resourcefulness and can-do attitude is often a help to Anne.

Will Hastings

• Best Friend: Despite being eleven years his senior, Will and Edward are boon companions, sharing a love for wine and women.
• The Resenter: Played with. Will stays loyal to Edward, but he is deeply hurt when Edward seduces Jane Shore away from him. He also just plain resents Richard and his closeness to Edward.
• Royal Favorite: Will is this, with the added element of not being related to Ned, unlike Anthony Woodville, Thomas Grey or Richard.
• Toxic Friend Influence: Richard certainly thinks of Will as Edward's enabler, although they might mutually be a bad influence on each other.

Jane Shore

• Ethical Slut: As mistress to Will and Edward, Jane is honest and open.
• Good Bad Girl: Jane eventually settles down, after enjoying her hedonistic youth.
• Hooker with a Heart of Gold: Elizabeth is particularly scornful of her rival's tendency to give away the money Edward gives her to the poor or people with a sob story.
• Love Triangle: Becomes the center of one between Edward and Will.
• The Mistress: She is Ned's favorite mistress.
• Naked First Impression: She meets Edward while in the bathtub. He flirtatiously wonders why she hasn't risen to greet her king, and she demures that she doesn't have a towel. He offers her a washcloth.