Person

Book/Story

Nicknames

Family

Description

*CAVANDISH, Sir William

BEAUVALLET

Known as a courtier among seadogs. He is mentioned in passing as one of the seadogs who joins Sir Nicholas Beauvallet for dinner at the Devil Tavern in East Chepe London (a favourite haunt of seadogs).

*DAVYS

BEAUVALLET

One of the seadogs Sir Nicholas Beauvallet meets at a dinner at The Devil Tavern in East Chepe, London (a favourite haunt of seadogs), he tries to interest Sir Nicholas in his search for the fabled Northwest Passage.

*DRAKE, Sir Francis

BEAUVALLET

He is mentioned in passing as having been a mentor to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet in the art of seamanship. Joshua Dimmock compares Sir Nicholas's fame to Drake's, but ever the loyal servant, points out that Sir Nicholas's birth is better. Sir Nicholas finds Drake on Paul's Walk in London and they repair together to a dinner at the Devil Tavern in East Chepe, London (both the walk and the tavern were popular haunts of the seadogs). Drake tries to discourage Sir Nicholas from going into Spain saying he is too good a man to be lost.

*EFFINGHAM, Admiral Lord (Howard)

BEAUVALLET

Admiral of Queen Elizabeth I's fleet. Effingham is mentioned in passing as one who would be interested to know what Sir Nicholas Beauvallet has learned of a massive Spanish fleet (The Spanish Armada) building up in Cadiz harbor.

*ELIZABETH I, Queen of England (Elizabeth Tudor) (1533-1603)

BEAUVALLET

The charming Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, who is in the habit of bringing her expensive gifts from Spanish ships he has taken, is a favourite with her. She is reluctant to give him permission to travel into Spain because she doesn't want to see him killed. Sir Francis Walsingham, anxious for the intelligence information Sir Nicholas might gain, obtains the Queen's permission for Sir Nicholas.

*FERRARA, Andrea

BEAUVALLET

A famous rapier maker from Toledo. Sir Nicholas Beauvallet owns a sword made by Ferrara inscribed with the words "My bite is sure". After Sir Nicholas's arrest in Madrid, Joshua Dimmock removes the sword from Sir Nicholas's rooms before the Spanish can seize it.

*HAWKINS, Richard

BEAUVALLET

One of the mariners who waged undeclared war on Spanish ships at the behest of Queen Elizabeth I. Son of Sir John Hawkins and nephew of William Hawkins. Richard Hawkins is mentioned in passing as being among the group of mariners, including Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, who assist Queen Elizabeth I by attacking Spanish ships. A serious young man who is planning to sail with Sir Francis Drake, he joins Sir Nicholas Beauvallet and other seadogs at the Devil Tavern for dinner.

*HAWKINS, Sir John

BEAUVALLET

One of the mariners who waged undeclared war on Spanish ships at the behest of Queen Elizabeth I. Father to Richard Hawkins and brother to William Hawkins. BEAUVALLET Sir John is mentioned in passing as being among the group of mariners, including Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, who assist Queen Elizabeth I by attacking Spanish ships.

*HAWKINS, William

BEAUVALLET

One of the mariners who waged undeclared war on Spanish ships at the behest of Queen Elizabeth I. Brother to Sir John Hawkins and Uncle to Richard Hawkins. BEAUVALLET William Hawkins is mentioned in passing as being among the group of mariners, including Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, who assist Queen Elizabeth I by attacking Spanish ships.

*LEICESTER

BEAUVALLET

One of the mariners who waged undeclared war on Spanish ships at the behest of Queen Elizabeth I. Joshua Dimmock mentions Gilbert in passing when comparing him unfavorably to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet.

*MAROZZO

BEAUVALLET

A Venetian rapier master of the Italian school, famous for writing the Opera Nova. It is mentioned in passing that Sir Nicholas Beauvallet studied fencing under Marozzo.

*PHILIP, King of Spain

BEAUVALLET

The vulturnine, pale and aesthetically dressed King Philip meets with Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (in disguise as the Chevalier de Guise) when Sir Nicholas brings him secret papers concerning Mary Stuart from the Duc de Guise. After Sir Nicholas's arrest on suspicion of being the pirate el Beauvallet, Philip, whose thought processes, we are told, move slowly, is unwilling to take action until the Chevalier's identity is confirmed or denied.

*RALEIGH, Sir Walter

BEAUVALLET

Joshua Dimmock mentions him in passing when comparing him unfavorably to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet. (According to Joshua, Sir Walter has less ready wit than Sir Nicholas.) Sir Nicholas also briefly encounters Sir Walter when he (Sir Nicholas) calls on Queen Elizabeth at Westminster to ask the Queen's permission to travel into Spain.

*SAHAGOM

BEAUVALLET

A famous rapier maker of Toledo. It is mentioned in passing that Sir Nicholas Beauvallet has a blade made by Sahagom. Sir Nicholas has this blade on his person the night he is arrested in Madrid, and turns it over to Don Cristobal de Porres. Sir Nicholas later tells Don Cristobal that as he shall be keeping the sword he may boast of being the only person ever to take something from el Beauvallet against his will.

*WALSINGHAM, Sir Francis

BEAUVALLET

An advisor to Queen Elizabeth I Sir Nicholas Beauvallet encounters Walsingham briefly when he (Sir Nicholas) calls on Queen Elizabeth at Westminster to ask her permission to travel into Spain. Though the Queen is reluctant to let Sir Nicholas go, Walsingham, who is anxious for any intelligence Sir Nicholas can obtain on what is going on in Spain, secures the Queen's permission.

?*CARRANZ

BEAUVALLET

A great fencing Master from Toledo. Mentioned in passing as having tutored Sir Nicholas Beauvallet in fencing.

?*CROFTS, Sir James

BEAUVALLET

An official of Queen Elizabeth I Sir Nicholas Beauvallet sees him leaving an audience with Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Francis Walsingham, and the French ambassador when he (Sir Nicholas) arrives at Westminster to seek the Queen's permission to travel into Spain . CRUZA BEAUVALLET Lieutenant to Don Cristobal de Porres at the Castile (the barracks in Madrid where Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, disguised as the Chevalier de Guise, is held prisoner), he leads the chase across Spain for Sir Nicholas after he escapes.

?*DAVIS

BEAUVALLET

He is mentioned in passing as one of Queen Elizabeth I's pirates, making undeclared war on Spain at sea.

?*de MAUVISSIÈRE

BEAUVALLET

French ambassador to Queen Elizabeth I. Sir Nicholas Beauvallet briefly encounters De Mauvissière at Westminster when he (Sir Nicholas) calls on Queen Elizabeth to ask permission to travel into Spain.

?*FERMOSA, Don Luis de

BEAUVALLET

An official of Madrid It is mentioned in passing that Don Cristobal de Porres sends to Fermosa to have him order out the alguazils to search Madrid after Sir Nicholas Beauvallet escapes from the Castile barracks.

?*FROBISHER, Martin

BEAUVALLET

One of the mariners who waged undeclared war on Spanish ships at the behest of Queen Elizabeth I. Frobisher is mentioned in passing as one of the seadogs who joins Sir Nicholas Beauvallet at a dinner at the Devil Tavern in East Chepe London (a favourite haunt of the seadogs).

?*GILBERT

BEAUVALLET

One of the mariners who waged undeclared war on Spanish ships at the behest of Queen Elizabeth I. Joshua Dimmock mentions Gilbert in passing when comparing him unfavorably to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet.

?*HATTON, Sir Christopher

BEAUVALLET

Vice-chancellor to Queen Elizabeth I. Sir Christopher Hatton formally greets Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, when he (Sir Nicholas) comes to Westminster to seek Queen Elizabeth's permission to travel into Spain. Sir Christopher is clearly jealous of the favor the Queen has shown both Sir Nicholas and Sir Walter Raleigh (who is also present), and Sir Nicholas finds such jealousies absurd.

?*HOWARD

BEAUVALLET

One of the mariners who waged undeclared war on Spanish ships at the behest of Queen Elizabeth I. Joshua Dimmock mentions Howard in passing when comparing him unfavorably to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet.

?*LAUVINIÈRE, Henri de

BEAUVALLET

French ambassador to King Philip of Spain Although de Lauvinière is not personally acquainted with the Chevalier Claude de Guise, he is suspicious that Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, disguised as the Chevalier, is an imposter and writes home to France to inquire into the age and appearance of the Chevalier. When Sir Nicholas is arrested on suspicion of being the pirate el Beauvallet, de Lauvinière counsels King Philip to wait until letters come from France and he (de Lauvinière) can confirm or deny the Chevalier's identity.

?*LUIS, Frey

BEAUVALLET

A monk of the Dominican order who acts as an advisor to King Philip of Spain. A zealot who believes in the purifying influence of the inquisition, Frey Luis advises King Philip to hand Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, disguised as the Chevalier de Guise, over to the inquisition without waiting for the French to confirm or deny the Chevalier's identity.

?*VASQUEZ, Don Matteo de

BEAUVALLET

Secretary to King Philip of Spain at the Alcazar in Madrid. Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (disguised as the Chevalier de Guise) encounters Don Matteo briefly when calling on King Philip at the Alcazar. Sir Nicholas is unimpressed with Don Matteo, and reflects that Queen Elizabeth keeps better men about her.

?*WADLOE

BEAUVALLET

Host of the Devil Tavern, a favourite haunt of the seadogs. Wadloe greets Sir Nicholas Beauvallet when he comes to stay at the Devil Tavern, and tells Sir Nicholas that Sir Francis Drake and other seadogs will be meeting for dinner at eleven.

ALAPERO, Don Alonso de

BEAUVALLET

It is mentioned in passing that Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (disguised as the Chevalier de Guise) attends a party at Don Alonso's house in Madrid in order to encounter Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva.

ALFRESTON, Lady Alison

BEAUVALLET

Lady Alison, the daughter of Lord Alfreston, is mentioned in passing as a possible bride for Sir Nicholas Beauvallet.

ALFRESTON, Lord (Gervais)

BEAUVALLET

Lord Alfreston is mentioned in passing as the father of Lady Alison, a possible bride for Sir Nicholas Beauvallet.

ALLEN, Father (?)

BEAUVALLET

An English Jesuit priest, who for ideological reasons, acts as an aide and advisor to King Philip of Spain. Father Allen has never previously encountered Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, and so is unable to tell King Philip whether the Chevalier de Guise is the pirate el Beauvallet in disguise. He advises the King to hold on to his prisoner until the French authorities are able to confirm or deny the truth of the Chevalier's claims.

ARANDA, Don Juan de

BEAUVALLET

An Andalusian nobleman that Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (in disguise as the Chevalier de Guise) befriends while he is kicking his heels in Madrid.

ARNOLD

BEAUVALLET

Arnold, a cousin of Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, is mentioned in passing as having recently married Groshawk's second daughter.

BARTOLOMEO

BEAUVALLET

Man servant to Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva, Bartolomeo takes issue with Joshua Dimmock over the proper medical care the mortally ill Don Manuel requires.

BEAUVALLET, El

BEAUVALLET

See: BEAUVALLET, Sir Nicholas

Nickname given to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet by his Spanish enemies after Sir Nicholas, at the behest of Queen Elizabeth I, joins the ranks of other English seadogs who practice piracy upon the Spanish as a form of unofficial warfare. El Beauvallet and his ship The Venture are particularly feared as the Spanish believe Sir Nicholas can achieve the impossible through witchcraft.

BEAUVALLET, First Baron (Simon)

BEAUVALLET

Simon is mentioned in passing as the First Baron Beauvallet, founder of the present English Barony, and a direct ancestor to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet.

BEAUVALLET, Lady (Kate)

BEAUVALLET

Husband: Gerard, Seventh Baron Beauvallet

Lady Beauvallet is frail, kind-hearted, and much loved by her stronger, heartier spouse. She joins her husband in wishing that Sir Nicholas Beauvallet would settle down in England, marry, and produce heirs.

BEAUVALLET, Lady (Margaret)

BEAUVALLET

Wife of Henry, Third Baron Beauvallet, Margaret, Lady Beauvallet, is mentioned in passing as having been the heiress of Malvallet.

BEAUVALLET, Second Baron (Geoffrey)

BEAUVALLET

Mentioned in passing as having always been at loggerheads with his father Simon, the First Baron, such that Simon left the French estate of Belremy to Geoffrey's younger brother Henry (Count of Belremy).

BEAUVALLET, Seventh Baron (Gerard)

BEAUVALLET

Wife: Kate, Lady Beauvallet

Father: Sixth Baron Beauvallet

Brother: Sir Nicholas Beauvallet

Sister: Adela, Lady Stanbury

Head of the now wealthy and well-connected House of Beauvallet, Gerard is descended from Simon, First Baron Beauvallet. Gerard is a fair, solid, comfortable, careful man who wishes his wild younger brother Sir Nicholas Beauvallet would settle down and provide him with the heirs he and his lady lack. Although he still owns the drafty old manor of Beauvallet, his principal residence is his recently built Manor at Alreston in Hampshire.

BEAUVALLET, Sir Nicholas

BEAUVALLET

Familial Nickname: Nick

a.k.a.: El Beauvallet, Chevalier de Guise, Mad Nicholas, the Scourge of Spain, Don Tomas

Father: Sixth Baron Beauvallet

Brother: Gerard, Seventh Baron Beauvallet

Sister: Adela, Lady Stanbury

Sir Nicholas is the Beauvallet after whom the book is named. As a younger son he sought his fortune first by traveling throughout Italy, France and Spain, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the languages and becoming proficient in the art of duello. He then turned to the sea, first as a protégé of Sir Francis Drake, and later in his own vessel, The Venture. After he returned from Drake's voyage around the world, Queen Elizabeth I, with whom the dark, handsome, witty, and daring Nicholas was always a favourite, granted him a knighthood. When the Queen later enlisted her mariners to wage an undeclared war at sea against Spain, Beauvallet set out in his own ship, The Venture, and quickly gained fame as a daring, reckless, and highly successful pirate, until the Spanish feared his very name. At the beginning of the book Sir Nicholas is already a vastly wealthy and successful pirate, enough so that his brother Gerard, Lord Beauvallet urges him to marry and settle down on his (Sir Nicholas's) estates at Basing. Because Gerard and his wife have remained childless, Gerard is looking to Nicholas to provide heirs for the Barony. Sir Nicholas, however, has his own ideas, and sets off for the heart of Spain, disguised as the Chevalier de Guise, in pursuit of Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva.

BEAUVALLET, Third Baron (Henry)

BEAUVALLET

Son of the Second Baron, Geoffrey, the Third Baron is mentioned in passing as having married Margaret, the heiress of Malvallet, thus uniting the two estates.

BELREMY, Count of (Henry Beauvallet)

BEAUVALLET

It is mentioned in passing that Henry Beauvallet, the second son of Simon, Lord Beauvallet and Margaret, Lady Beauvallet (the Countess of Belremy) inherited Belremy, because his father was always at outs with Henry's older brother Geoffrey. He is the founder of the French branch of the Beauvallet family.

BELREMY, Marquis de (Eustache de Beauvallet)

BEAUVALLET

Head of the current French House of Beauvallet, descended from Henry Beauvallet, the Count of Belremy, Eustache is a distant cousin of Sir Nicholas Beauvallet. Sir Nicholas and Eustache encountered one another as young men, were instantly pleased with one another, and toured the Continent together. Sir Nicholas visits Eustache on his way to Spain.

CAPPER

BEAUVALLET

A parson on board Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's ship The Venture, he performs the marriage ceremony for Sir Nicholas on board ship at the end of the book.

CARMELITA

BEAUVALLET

Maid to Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva at the house of the Carvalho's in Madrid (after Dominica's former maid, Maria, has married a groom), she is an old, sour-faced woman who is not particularly loyal to her mistress.

CARVALHO, Don Diego de

BEAUVALLET

Father: Don Rodriguez de Carvalho

Mother: Dona Beatrice de Carvalho

Uncle: Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva

Cousin: Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva

A slight, scented, foppish man, he tries to force his cousin Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva into a marriage to obtain her money. She despises him, for although his object is clearly her money he whines and apologizes for his villainy and pretends to be in love with her. Although he fancies himself his own man, he is in reality under his mother's thumb. Diego and Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (disguised as the Chevalier de Guise) conceive an immediate antipathy for one another when they meet on the Mentidero in Madrid.

CARVALHO, Don Rodriguez de

BEAUVALLET

Wife: Dona Beatrice de Carvalho

Son: Don Diego de Carvalho

Niece: Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva

Don Rodriguez is a weak, apologetic man who turns a blind eye toward his wife's plans to force Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva into marriage with his son Don Diego de Carvalho so that the Carvalho's might obtain her money. Dominica despises him for being weak and easily controlled by his wife.

CARVALHO, Dona Beatrice de

BEAUVALLET

Husband: Don Rodriguez de Carvalho

Son: Don Diego de Carvalho

Brother: Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva

Niece: Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva

Beatrice is the plump (though handsome once), good humored, selfish, cynical and wearily calculating aunt to whose guardianship Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva is left after her father's death. Beatrice frankly and ruthlessly acknowledges to Dominica that her plan is to marry Dominica to her (Beatrice's) son Don Diego de Carvalho so that the impoverished Carvalhos can obtain Dominica's wealth. Beatrice rules her husband and son with seeming casualness, but is in complete control. Ever a fan of a personable man, she is most taken with Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (in disguise as the Chevalier de Guise).

CHINCHON, Don de

BEAUVALLET

He is mentioned in passing as holding a party at his home in Madrid that Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, in disguise as the Chevalier de Guise, attends to encounter Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva.

CRUZADA

BEAUVALLET

Don Juan de Narvaez's lieutenant on board the Santa Maria (the ship on which Sir Nicholas Beauvallet meets Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva), he fights hard against Sir Nicholas and his men, but to no avail.

CULPEPPER

BEAUVALLET

He is left in charge of Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's ship The Venture, when it is anchored at Plymouth Sound.

DANGERFIELD, Richard

BEAUVALLET

a.k.a. Diccon

Diccon is lieutenant to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet on board The Venture. He is a fair, competent, earnest, diffident young man easily enthralled by Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva when she is trying to annoy Sir Nicholas.

DAW, John

BEAUVALLET

One of Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's men on board The Venture, he kisses Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva when the men first discover her aboard the freshly taken Spanish Galleon Santa Maria. Beauvallet later kicks Daw for his impudence.

DAWSON

BEAUVALLET

He is the steward at Gerard, Second Baron Beauvallet's primary residence of Alreston in Hampshire.

DICCON

BEAUVALLET

Diccon is the nickname of Richard Dangerfield, Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's lieutenant on board The Venture. See: Dangerfield, Richard

DIMMOCK, Joshua

BEAUVALLET

a.k.a. Pedro

Joshua is manservant to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, and travels with Sir Nicholas wherever he goes be it in England, on board The Venture, and even into the heart of Spain. He is a small man with an inquisitive nose and very bravely curling mustachios, who is impertinent, assured, opinionated, chatty, mischievous, and completely loyal to Sir Nicholas. He would like to see Sir Nicholas settle down so that he too can settle down, but he would never leave Sir Nicholas in order to settle down on his own.

GUISE, Chevalier de (Claude)

BEAUVALLET

See: Beauvallet, Sir Nicholas

The Chevalier is a young, ill-tempered scion of the House of Guise (some sort of a cousin to the Duc de Guise) sent to King Philip of Spain with a coded letter concerning Mary, Queen of Scots. He (the Chevalier) tries to drink Sir Nicholas Beauvallet under the table and then steal his horse. Sir Nicholas accidentally kills Guise in the struggle that follows the attempted theft, discovers the coded letter, and assumes Guise's identity. As the Chevalier Claude de Guise, Beauvallet holds an audience with King Philip of Spain and takes social Madrid by storm.

HICK, William

BEAUVALLET

Hick is one of Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's men on board The Venture. He tries to kiss Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva when The Venture's men first discover her on board the newly taken Santa Maria. She slaps him, and later Sir Nicholas kicks him for his impudence.

HOWE, Patrick

BEAUVALLET

Howe acts as Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's Master sailor on board The Venture.

LOSA, Don Diaz de

BEAUVALLET

A courtier of King Philip of Spain, who King Philip assigns to sponsor Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (disguised as the Chevalier de Guise) into Madrid society. Don Diaz de Losa is a stately, grandly dressed, middle-aged man.

LUIS,

BEAUVALLET

Luis is valet to the foppish Don Diego de Carvalho. Luis is the only servant present when Don Diego abducts his cousin and brings her to his hunting lodge.

Mad Nicholas

BEAUVALLET

See: BEAUVALLET, Sir Nicholas

Nickname given to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet in reference to his risky and daring fighting style when attacking Spanish galleons or ports in his ship The Venture.

MARGERY

BEAUVALLET

Margery is the nurse in residence at Gerard, Lord Beauvallet's principal residence of Alreston in Hampshire. She was nurse to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet when he was a child.

MARIA

BEAUVALLET

Maria is maid to Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva in Santiago, Chile, on board the Santa Maria, and on board The Venture. A cheerful plump creature, she marries a groom after she and her mistress return to Spain, leaving Dominica to the services of the less sympathetic Carmelita.

MONTLICE, Earl of (Alan)

BEAUVALLET

Mentioned in passing as the author of a Chronicle about the life of Simon, First Baron Beauvallet.

NARVAEZ, Don Juan de

BEAUVALLET

Don Juan de Narvaez is the Captain of the Santa Maria, the Spanish galleon upon which Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva and her father are travelling on from Santiago to Spain. Intent upon impressing Dominica he foolishly fires on Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's ship The Venture, and Sir Nicholas takes and sinks the Santa Maria. Sir Nicholas gives de Narvaez and his men a lifeboat in which to head for the nearby island of Dominica.

NOVELI, Don Luis de

BEAUVALLET

Don Luis is mentioned in passing as hosting the party in Madrid where Don Maxia de Perinat sees Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (in disguise as the Chevalier de Guise) and swears he is in fact the pirate el Beauvallet.

Pedro

BEAUVALLET

See: DIMMOCK, Joshua

The false name which Joshua Dimmock goes by in Villanova, when he and Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva are waiting for Sir Nicholas Beauvallet to rejoin them.

PEDRO, Frey

BEAUVALLET

Frey Pedro is mentioned in passing as the Priest with whom the Carvalho family worships in Madrid.

PERINAT, Don Maxia de

BEAUVALLET

Don Maxia is the Spanish Galleon captain who swore to capture the pirate el Beauvallet, was given a bad beating by Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, and came rushing back to Santiago. He is in ill favor in King Philip's court because of this incident. Therefore, when he encounters Sir Nicholas Beauvallet at a party and swears that Sir Nicholas (in disguise as the Chevalier de Guise) is in fact the pirate el Beauvallet, most people do not credit it.

PORRES, Don Cristobal de

BEAUVALLET

Commander of the Guards and Governor of the Castile (the barracks where Sir Nicholas Beauvallet is held after his arrest), Don Cristobal is a grave, dark man of about forty years.

RADA Y SYLVA, Don Manuel de

BEAUVALLET

Daughter: Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva

Sister: Dona Beatrice de Carvalho

Nephew: Don Diego de Carvalho

Don Manuel has been the Governor of Santiago in Chile, but at the beginning of the story he is in poor health and has retired and is returning to Spain with his daughter Dominica, planning to put her and the considerable wealth he will leave her in the care of his sister Beatrice before he dies. Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, after taking the ship on which Don Manuel and his daughter were traveling, makes a dangerous trip to the Spanish coast to drop off his two Spanish passengers so that Don Manuel will make it back to Spain in time. Don Manuel is old and tired, but he likes Sir Nicholas's style, and tells Sir Nicholas that if he weren't an enemy, he is just the sort of man to whom Don Manuel would like to give Dominica in marriage.

RADA Y SYLVA, Dona Dominica de

BEAUVALLET

Father: Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva

Uncles: Don Rodriguez de Carvalho, Don Miguel de Tobar

Aunt: Dona Beatrice de Carvalho

Cousins: Don Diego de Carvalho, Don Miguel de Tobar

Dominica is the tall, dark-haired, lushly beautiful, independent minded lady after whom Sir Nicholas Beauvallet is willing to travel into the heart of Spain. Having grown up away from the Inquisition in Spain (her father was the Governor of Santiago, Chile), she has imbibed heretical notions, and is conveniently prepared to embrace a Protestant religion.

RUSSET

BEAUVALLET

Russet is one of Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's men on board The Venture.

SAMSON

BEAUVALLET

Samson is gatekeeper at Gerard, Baron Beauvallet's principal residence of Alreston in Hampshire.

SCOURGE OF SPAIN, THE

BEAUVALLET

See: BEAUVALLET, Sir Nicholas

Nickname given to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet in reference to the success of his methods in fighting against the Spanish in his ship The Venture.

SELBY

BEAUVALLET

Selby is mentioned in passing as a neighbour of Gerard, Lord Beauvallet (at his principal residence at Alreston) with whom Gerard likes to hawk.

STANBURY, Lady (Adela) née Adela Beauvallet

BEAUVALLET

Adela, sister to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, is mentioned in passing as having given birth to a son while Sir Nicholas was at sea

STANBURY, Lord

BEAUVALLET

Married to Adela, sister of Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, Lord Stanbury is mentioned in passing as having once given Gerard a hawk.

TOBAR, Don Miguel de

BEAUVALLET

Don Miguel is mentioned in passing as an uncle of the wealthy Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva (the brother of Dominica's mother). Dominica does not believe leaving the Carvalho household for that of her Uncle de Tobar would be any use as a way of escaping matrimony since her Uncle de Tobar would like to marry Dominica to his son, also called Don Miguel de Tobar.

TOBAR, Don Miguel de

BEAUVALLET

Don Miguel is mentioned in passing as a cousin of the wealthy Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva (the son of Dominica's mother's brother). Dominica does not believe leaving the Carvalho household for that of her uncle Don Miguel de Tobar would be any use as a way of escaping from matrimony since her uncle de Tobar would like to marry Dominica to her cousin Don Miguel.

TOMAS, Don

BEAUVALLET

See: BEAUVALLET, Sir Nicholas

Don Tomas is the false name which Sir Nicholas Beauvallet goes by in Villanova, while on his way to rendezvous with The Venture at the Spanish coast.

VASSO, Miguel de

BEAUVALLET

Vasso is mentioned in passing as being one of Don Juan de Narvaez's men on the Santa Maria. Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva's woman Maria later complains that he locked her in her cabin when Sir Nicholas Beauvallet began attacking the ship.

ALAPERO, Don Alonso de

BEAUVALLET

It is mentioned in passing that Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (disguised as the Chevalier de Guise) attends a party at Don Alonso's house in Madrid in order to encounter Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva.

ALFRESTON, Lady Alison

BEAUVALLET

Lady Alison, the daughter of Lord Alfreston, is mentioned in passing as a possible bride for Sir Nicholas Beauvallet.

ALFRESTON, Lord (Gervais)

BEAUVALLET

Lord Alfreston is mentioned in passing as the father of Lady Alison, a possible bride for Sir Nicholas Beauvallet.

ALLEN, Father (?)

BEAUVALLET

An English Jesuit priest, who for ideological reasons, acts as an aide and advisor to King Philip of Spain. Father Allen has never previously encountered Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, and so is unable to tell King Philip whether the Chevalier de Guise is the pirate el Beauvallet in disguise. He advises the King to hold on to his prisoner until the French authorities are able to confirm or deny the truth of the Chevalier's claims.

ARANDA, Don Juan de

BEAUVALLET

An Andalusian nobleman that Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (in disguise as the Chevalier de Guise) befriends while he is kicking his heels in Madrid.

ARNOLD

BEAUVALLET

Arnold, a cousin of Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, is mentioned in passing as having recently married Groshawk's second daughter.

BARTOLOMEO

BEAUVALLET

Man servant to Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva, Bartolomeo takes issue with Joshua Dimmock over the proper medical care the mortally ill Don Manuel requires.

BEAUVALLET, El

BEAUVALLET

See: BEAUVALLET, Sir Nicholas

Nickname given to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet by his Spanish enemies after Sir Nicholas, at the behest of Queen Elizabeth I, joins the ranks of other English seadogs who practice piracy upon the Spanish as a form of unofficial warfare. El Beauvallet and his ship The Venture are particularly feared as the Spanish believe Sir Nicholas can achieve the impossible through witchcraft.

BEAUVALLET, First Baron (Simon)

BEAUVALLET

Simon is mentioned in passing as the First Baron Beauvallet, founder of the present English Barony, and a direct ancestor to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet.

BEAUVALLET, Lady (Kate)

BEAUVALLET

Husband: Gerard, Seventh Baron Beauvallet

Lady Beauvallet is frail, kind-hearted, and much loved by her stronger, heartier spouse. She joins her husband in wishing that Sir Nicholas Beauvallet would settle down in England, marry, and produce heirs.

BEAUVALLET, Lady (Margaret)

BEAUVALLET

Wife of Henry, Third Baron Beauvallet, Margaret, Lady Beauvallet, is mentioned in passing as having been the heiress of Malvallet.

BEAUVALLET, Second Baron (Geoffrey)

BEAUVALLET

Mentioned in passing as having always been at loggerheads with his father Simon, the First Baron, such that Simon left the French estate of Belremy to Geoffrey's younger brother Henry (Count of Belremy).

BEAUVALLET, Seventh Baron (Gerard)

BEAUVALLET

Wife: Kate, Lady Beauvallet

Father: Sixth Baron Beauvallet

Brother: Sir Nicholas Beauvallet

Sister: Adela, Lady Stanbury

Head of the now wealthy and well-connected House of Beauvallet, Gerard is descended from Simon, First Baron Beauvallet. Gerard is a fair, solid, comfortable, careful man who wishes his wild younger brother Sir Nicholas Beauvallet would settle down and provide him with the heirs he and his lady lack. Although he still owns the drafty old manor of Beauvallet, his principal residence is his recently built Manor at Alreston in Hampshire.

BEAUVALLET, Sir Nicholas

BEAUVALLET

Familial Nickname: Nick

a.k.a.: El Beauvallet, Chevalier de Guise, Mad Nicholas, the Scourge of Spain, Don Tomas

Father: Sixth Baron Beauvallet

Brother: Gerard, Seventh Baron Beauvallet

Sister: Adela, Lady Stanbury

Sir Nicholas is the Beauvallet after whom the book is named. As a younger son he sought his fortune first by traveling throughout Italy, France and Spain, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the languages and becoming proficient in the art of duello. He then turned to the sea, first as a protégé of Sir Francis Drake, and later in his own vessel, The Venture. After he returned from Drake's voyage around the world, Queen Elizabeth I, with whom the dark, handsome, witty, and daring Nicholas was always a favourite, granted him a knighthood. When the Queen later enlisted her mariners to wage an undeclared war at sea against Spain, Beauvallet set out in his own ship, The Venture, and quickly gained fame as a daring, reckless, and highly successful pirate, until the Spanish feared his very name. At the beginning of the book Sir Nicholas is already a vastly wealthy and successful pirate, enough so that his brother Gerard, Lord Beauvallet urges him to marry and settle down on his (Sir Nicholas's) estates at Basing. Because Gerard and his wife have remained childless, Gerard is looking to Nicholas to provide heirs for the Barony. Sir Nicholas, however, has his own ideas, and sets off for the heart of Spain, disguised as the Chevalier de Guise, in pursuit of Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva.

BEAUVALLET, Third Baron (Henry)

BEAUVALLET

Son of the Second Baron, Geoffrey, the Third Baron is mentioned in passing as having married Margaret, the heiress of Malvallet, thus uniting the two estates.

BELREMY, Count of (Henry Beauvallet)

BEAUVALLET

It is mentioned in passing that Henry Beauvallet, the second son of Simon, Lord Beauvallet and Margaret, Lady Beauvallet (the Countess of Belremy) inherited Belremy, because his father was always at outs with Henry's older brother Geoffrey. He is the founder of the French branch of the Beauvallet family.

BELREMY, Marquis de (Eustache de Beauvallet)

BEAUVALLET

Head of the current French House of Beauvallet, descended from Henry Beauvallet, the Count of Belremy, Eustache is a distant cousin of Sir Nicholas Beauvallet. Sir Nicholas and Eustache encountered one another as young men, were instantly pleased with one another, and toured the Continent together. Sir Nicholas visits Eustache on his way to Spain.

CAPPER

BEAUVALLET

A parson on board Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's ship The Venture, he performs the marriage ceremony for Sir Nicholas on board ship at the end of the book.

CARMELITA

BEAUVALLET

Maid to Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva at the house of the Carvalho's in Madrid (after Dominica's former maid, Maria, has married a groom), she is an old, sour-faced woman who is not particularly loyal to her mistress.

CARVALHO, Don Diego de

BEAUVALLET

Father: Don Rodriguez de Carvalho

Mother: Dona Beatrice de Carvalho

Uncle: Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva

Cousin: Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva

A slight, scented, foppish man, he tries to force his cousin Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva into a marriage to obtain her money. She despises him, for although his object is clearly her money he whines and apologizes for his villainy and pretends to be in love with her. Although he fancies himself his own man, he is in reality under his mother's thumb. Diego and Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (disguised as the Chevalier de Guise) conceive an immediate antipathy for one another when they meet on the Mentidero in Madrid.

CARVALHO, Don Rodriguez de

BEAUVALLET

Wife: Dona Beatrice de Carvalho

Son: Don Diego de Carvalho

Niece: Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva

Don Rodriguez is a weak, apologetic man who turns a blind eye toward his wife's plans to force Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva into marriage with his son Don Diego de Carvalho so that the Carvalho's might obtain her money. Dominica despises him for being weak and easily controlled by his wife.

CARVALHO, Dona Beatrice de

BEAUVALLET

Husband: Don Rodriguez de Carvalho

Son: Don Diego de Carvalho

Brother: Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva

Niece: Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva

Beatrice is the plump (though handsome once), good humored, selfish, cynical and wearily calculating aunt to whose guardianship Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva is left after her father's death. Beatrice frankly and ruthlessly acknowledges to Dominica that her plan is to marry Dominica to her (Beatrice's) son Don Diego de Carvalho so that the impoverished Carvalhos can obtain Dominica's wealth. Beatrice rules her husband and son with seeming casualness, but is in complete control. Ever a fan of a personable man, she is most taken with Sir Nicholas Beauvallet (in disguise as the Chevalier de Guise).

CHINCHON, Don de

BEAUVALLET

He is mentioned in passing as holding a party at his home in Madrid that Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, in disguise as the Chevalier de Guise, attends to encounter Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva.

CRUZADA

BEAUVALLET

Don Juan de Narvaez's lieutenant on board the Santa Maria (the ship on which Sir Nicholas Beauvallet meets Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva), he fights hard against Sir Nicholas and his men, but to no avail.

CULPEPPER

BEAUVALLET

He is left in charge of Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's ship The Venture, when it is anchored at Plymouth Sound.

DANGERFIELD, Richard

BEAUVALLET

a.k.a. Diccon

Diccon is lieutenant to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet on board The Venture. He is a fair, competent, earnest, diffident young man easily enthralled by Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva when she is trying to annoy Sir Nicholas.

DAW, John

BEAUVALLET

One of Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's men on board The Venture, he kisses Dona Dominica de Rada y Sylva when the men first discover her aboard the freshly taken Spanish Galleon Santa Maria. Beauvallet later kicks Daw for his impudence.

DAWSON

BEAUVALLET

He is the steward at Gerard, Second Baron Beauvallet's primary residence of Alreston in Hampshire.

DICCON

BEAUVALLET

Diccon is the nickname of Richard Dangerfield, Sir Nicholas Beauvallet's lieutenant on board The Venture. See: Dangerfield, Richard

DIMMOCK, Joshua

BEAUVALLET

a.k.a. Pedro

Joshua is manservant to Sir Nicholas Beauvallet, and travels with Sir Nicholas wherever he goes be it in England, on board The Venture, and even into the heart of Spain. He is a small man with an inquisitive nose and very bravely curling mustachios, who is impertinent, assured, opinionated, chatty, mischievous, and completely loyal to Sir Nicholas. He would like to see Sir Nicholas settle down so that he too can settle down, but he would never leave Sir Nicholas in order to settle down on his own.

GUISE, Chevalier de (Claude)

BEAUVALLET

See: Beauvallet, Sir Nicholas

The Chevalier is a young, ill-tempered scion of the House of Guise (some sort of a cousin to the Duc de Guise) sent to King Philip of Spain with a coded letter concerning Mary, Queen of Scots. He (the Chevalier) tries to drink Sir Nicholas Beauvallet under the table and then steal his horse. Sir Nicholas accidentally kills Guise in the struggle that follows the attempted theft, discovers the coded letter, and assumes Guise's identity. As the Chevalier Claude de Guise, Beauvallet holds an audience with King Philip of Spain and takes social Madrid by storm.