Margaret or Meg Black—apprentice apothecary, amateur surgeon and sometime smuggler of illicit and heretical literature. Suspected subverter of the Bedwell Christmas Revels Robert Black—older brother of Meg. Apprentice artificer and Ned’s partner in the Revels scheme. Gruesome Roger—retainer to the Black family. A fellow with secrets who likes to loom menacingly over Ned Bedwell ruining his Christmas. Canting Michael—a gang lord of Southwark who would like the pleasure of Red Ned’s ‘company’ for a chat. Gulping Jemmy—a rogue with a keen thirst and some strange friendships amongst the gang lords of London. Will Whipple—a new and weak stomached member of Canting’s gang much prone to codpiece wetting Earless Nick (Throckmore)—self–proclaimed Master of Masterless men and Lord of the Liberties. Always ready for a game, good company or an hour with Red Ned and a hot poker.
