3rd Earl of Sussex Sir Nicholas Blount, his master of house Sir Walter Raleigh Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester Richard Varney, his follower Anthony Forster, warden of Cumnor Hall Janet, his daughter Erasmus Holiday, a schoolteacher Dickie Sludge, alias Flibbertigibbet Dr Demetrius Dobobbie, alias Alasco, an astrologer Master Crane, landlord of the 'Crane Inn' at Marlborough Dame Alison Crane, his wife Jack Hostler Gaffer Grimesby Sampson, a junior tapster Dame Crank, a laundress Sir Hugh Robsart, of Lidcote Hall Amy Robsart, his daughter Will Badger, his servant Michael Mumblazon, inmate of Lidcote Hall Queen Elizabeth Lord Hunsdon Lord Burleigh Dr Master, her physician Bowyer, an usher Laurence Staple, a warder Chapter summary Volume One Ch. 1: Michael Lambourne is welcomed back from abroad to the 'Bonny Black Bear' inn at Cumnor. Attention then shifts to the melancholy figure of Tressilian. Ch. 2: Goldthread tells Lambourne and Tressilian that Anthony Forster is living in Cumnor Place with an attractive young woman [Amy Robsart], and Lambourne wagers that he will get Forster to introduce himself to her. Ch. 3: Lambourne and Tressilian are received at Cumnor Place by Forster, whom Lambourne takes off for a private conversation. Ch. 4: Lambourne and Forster explore the advantages of working together. Tressilian tries to persuade Amy to return to her father, who is seriously ill, but they are interrupted by Forster and Lambourne. Forced to leave, Tressilian encounters Richard Varney at the postern-door and they cross swords. Lambourne stops the fight and is instructed by Varney to shadow Tressilian. Ch. 5: Varney brings Amy a letter from Leicester. Forster and Varney negotiate, and in soliloquy Varney professes his intention to possess Amy or ruin her. Ch. 6: Amy delights in the newly refurbished rooms at Cumnor Place. Janet Forster warns her not to alienate Varney. He advises Amy not to tell Leicester about Tressilian's visit. Ch. 7: On his arrival at Cumnor Place Leicester tells Amy that their relationship cannot be publicly acknowledged at this stage. He considers retiring from public life, but Varney dissuades him. Leicester speaks harshly of Tressilian, and Amy says nothing about his visit. The next morning Varney and Lambourne leave for Woodstock, preceded by Leicester who makes a public show of having spent the night there. Ch. 8: The previous day, back at the inn, Tressilian snubs Lambourne. He tells the landlord Giles Gosling of his affection for Amy, and