This page lists all of the characters in the 13th-century Old French Le Roman de Silence by Heldris de Cornuälle. It contains summaries for both major and minor characters as well as an indication of where they are found (for minor characters, especially those without proper names).
Characters Name Role Appearance(s) in Roman de Silence (lines) Ref(s) Narrator Persona who shares a name with the author, relates the events of the story as well as his opinions on them esp. 1-106, 255-276, 1550-1576, 1651-1669, 3901-3924, 4199-4220, 5228-5241, 6692-6706 King Evan He was the king of England and husband to Eufeme. He allows Silence to her inheritance even though she is a woman. 107-383,4417-4530, 5747-5855, 6341-6357, 6413-6432, 6525-6668 King Begon King of Norway and father of "the beautiful gem" Eufeme. Goes to war with King Evan but cannot win, so to make peace he offers his daughter to the king. Seeing that King Evan is satisfied, Begon sends her away immediately along with some beasts, two archbishops, four bishops, two dukes, and four counts. v. 145-233 Eufeme Daughter of King Begon of Norway and wife of King Evan. To end the long hardships of war between Begon and Evan, a marriage between King Evan and Eufeme is arranged. Queen Eufeme is the quintessential "evil queen". When first described by the narrator, she is compared to a "beautiful gem" (v. 166). All her flaws are exaggerated, which the narrator uses to convey that she is actually meant to be a caricature of everything a woman should not be, as she is opinionated and libidinous. Her outspokenness and lustful behavior ultimately end in her demise, as she is beheaded by King Evan for adultery. v. 165-209, 228-248, 3694-3716, 3721-3781, 3791-4176, 4225-4231, 4248, 4274-4280, 5242, 5680, 5804, 6180, 6348, 6371, 6460, 6531, 6587, 6651, 6663, 6695-6697 Burr, Kristin L. "A Question of Honor: Eufeme's Transgressions in Le Roman De Silence." Medieval Feminist Forum. 38.1 (2004): 28-37. Cador A valiant knight, who is named "overlord of all" (v. 1604) by Count Renald prior to the count's death. Married to Eufemie. Father to Silence. Cador is meant to represent the masculine ideal of the Middle Ages: courageous, valiant, strong, and has a beautiful wife/lover. v. 392-395, 404-426, 473-558, 565-574, 577-592, 633-640, 679-686, 718-732, 783, 795, 825-838, 869-875, 901-905, 977-990, 1086-1154, 1199, 1251, 1265-1275,1412-1657, 4422 Eufemie Married to Cador. Accompanies Cador on many of his knightly adventures. Mother to Silence. Eufemie is meant to represent the feminine ideal (in contrast to Eufeme) as she is quiet, obedient, chaste, and beautiful (young and fair). 395-405, 544-574, 593-675, 714, 733-1536, 1577-1792, 1958-2085, 2142-2212, 2401-2406, 2464, 2688, 2854, 3014-3086, 3480, 3553, 3656, 6682-6683 Love v. 1555 Nature Nature refers to the truth in beings. In this case, the truth about Silence being a woman. Count of Chester One of King Evan's courtiers. Offers to facilitate convincing Cador and Eufemie to marry. 1309-1339, 1390-1494 Renald of Cornwall Count of Cornwall, father of Eufemie, and an excellent aristocrat; his properties, for which he does homage to King Evan, go to Cador at his death, a year after Cador marries Eufemie v. 397, 1298, 1451, 1505, 1525-1549, 1577-1634 Archbishop Unnamed archbishop who marries Cador and Eufemie v. 1511 Flattery Personification v. 1552 Truth Personification v. 1553 Virtue Personification v. 1555 Shame Personification, daughter of Flattery and Truth? v. 1558-1575 God Jesus Adam Father of mankind, mentioned in a brief catechismic passage v. 1703-06 Eve Mother of mankind, mentioned in a brief catechismic passage v. 1704-06 Walter Son of the lady who later acts as Midwife/Nurse, dead in infancy v. 1739-1742 Silence Born a woman but forced to live as a man in order to receive her inheritance. Throughout the story she struggles with the nature of living as a girl vs.the nature of living as a boy. She ends up returning to nature and living as a woman as well as gaining her inheritance. Nurture Nurture refers to how societal, historical, and or parental influence renders a person. In this case, it's Silence living as a man. Midwife/Nurse Is referred to as lady at times. Cousin of Cador. She was married to an English man who died before she gave birth to their child, Walther, who lives for only a week after his baptism. At the time she was living with Cador's aunt. They are of close parentage, which led to Cador deciding to include her in the scheme of hiding the true nature of his child. She lives in solitude with Silence with the occasional visits by the Seneschal. v. 1731-1794, 1964-1994, 2059-2062, 2112-2120, 2160- Seneschal The seneschal (given no specific name) of the land was raised along with Eufemie. He was close to Renald. He loves Eufemie and is loyal. He lives in the forest by a sea. The count and countess reach out to him to help disguise their child's sex. He pledges his service to them and builds a lodging for the nursemaid and Silence. He helps raise the child as a man. v. 2140-2257, + Priest/chaplain Baptizes Silence. Is rushed to perform the ceremony due to the lie that the child was nearly dying, which makes him/them not question why the child must keep its clothing on. v. 2100-2115 Clerk He is at the service of the priest who performs the baptism for Silence. He was ordered to bring the water and salt for the ceremony. v. 2107-2111 Minstrels (or jongleurs) The minstrels help Silence run away from home, as they help him disguise his identity. They teach him how to play music, and Silence quickly excels. This makes the minstrels angry because they believe Silence will steal their business, so they plot against Silence and devise a plan to kill him. Cross-Dressed Nun Eupheme's lover 6530-6531 Courtiers (various) King of France Evan's Chancellor Count of Blois Count of Nevers Count of Clermont 30 Frenchmen Guy de Calmot Roger de Belmont Castel Landon Rebellious Count Merlin He made the kings tower then fled to live in the woods forever, or until someone caught him. He serves as the all knowing being who foils everyone secrets, as well as comic relief. The man who can't be caught other than by a woman's trickery. It is because Silence caught Merlin that her disguise was ruined. 5987-6552 Old Man Advises Silence on how to catch Merlin. 5875-5975 Innkeeper The keeper of the inn that must turn Silence in to the count v.3491-3540
References Citations
Bibliography Burr, Kristin L. "A Question of Honor: Eufeme's Transgressions in Le Roman de Silence." Medieval Feminist Forum 38.1 (2004): 28-37.