Margaret or Meg Black—apprentice apothecary, amateur surgeon and sometime smuggler of illicit literature. Suspected subverter of the 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 ruining his Christmas. Richard Rich—Commissioner of Sewers for London and uncle to Red Ned. A lawyer climbing the ladder of patronage, and a good friend of Thomas Cromwell Canting Michael—a gang lord of Southwark who would like Red Ned’s ‘company’ for an hour or two. Earless Nick (Throckmore)—self–proclaimed Master of Masterless men and Lord of the Liberties. Always ready for good company and a game. Lady Dellingham—an ardent church reformer and ally of Cromwell. She holds firm views on the performance of good works in the sinkholes of London. Soon to leave for Geneva, though probably now soon enough for Ned’s liking.
