Field of Dishonor characters

Appears from the start

A Royal Manticoran Navy officer and Grayson steadholder whose emergency command during the Hancock battle is under official review. Her tactical judgment is accepted as necessary, while Pavel Young's refusal to obey her orders leaves him facing a prospective court-martial.

Appears from the start

Honor's former flag officer aboard HMS Nike. A strike on the ship's command spaces leaves him gravely wounded and unable to issue the orders he had prepared, forcing Honor to retain control of the task group during the Hancock battle.

Also known as Lord Young

Appears from the start

A naval officer who withdraws his heavy cruiser from the Hancock formation after ordering his squadron to scatter. He ignores Honor's order to return and faces a prospective court-martial after the reviewing admirals endorse her emergency command decision.

First appears in chapter 2

Manticore's prime minister, dependent on a narrow majority in the House of Lords. The possible prosecution of Pavel Young threatens the Conservative support he needs for a formal declaration of war against Haven.

First appears in chapter 2

Pavel Young's father and the Conservative Association's powerful whip in the House of Lords. He can use his party's votes as leverage while the government weighs prosecution of his son and seeks authority for war.

Also known as Captain Tankersley

First appears in chapter 3

Honor's partner and a naval constructor. He supports her as she confronts the gravity of Young's arrest and the possibility that a conviction on the most serious charges could bring a death sentence.

First appears in chapter 3

First Lord of the Admiralty. She considers the case against Young justified but recognizes that a randomly selected court and possible death sentence could intensify the political struggle over the war.

Also known as Mike

First appears in chapter 4

Honor's longtime friend and executive officer aboard HMS Nike. During a royal audience she is promoted to junior-grade captain and assigned command of a light cruiser, requiring her to leave Honor's ship.

First appears in chapter 3

Manticore's First Space Lord. He favors taking advantage of Haven's military disorder, but the lack of a formal declaration of war limits the offensive action the Navy can sustain.

First appears in chapter 4

Manticore's monarch and a personal supporter of Honor. She balances visible confidence in Honor and Michelle Henke against the government's need to secure parliamentary authority for a broader war.

First appears in chapter 4

Honor's bonded treecat, who accompanies her to a private royal audience and meets the Queen's treecat. His close presence remains part of Honor's personal life even amid naval repair work and political pressure.

First appears in chapter 5

A veteran Marine officer appointed executive officer to the commander of HMS Nike's Marine battalion while the ship undergoes repairs.

First appears in chapter 6

A member of the court-martial board assembled to judge the charges arising from Pavel Young's conduct at Hancock. Her position on the disputed legal and factual questions is not yet known when the board is named.

First appears in chapter 6

A naval officer selected for Pavel Young's court-martial board. He enters a proceeding burdened by political pressure, while its senior member insists that every charge must be judged solely on the evidence.

First appears in chapter 7

An officer helping secure HMS Nike while reporters surround the damaged ship during the public controversy over Young's trial. He doubles the sentries at the dock tube to prevent unauthorized access.

Also known as Admiral Whitehaven

First appears in chapter 8

A senior Manticoran commander who presides over Pavel Young's court-martial. He is responsible for keeping the proceeding focused on the charges despite their capital stakes and the political conflict surrounding them.

First appears in chapter 11

The officer serving as HMS Nike's executive officer while the battlecruiser undergoes repairs, having succeeded Michelle Henke in the post.

First appears in chapter 13

The senior captain commanding the Grayson heavy cruiser GNS Jason Alvarez. Acquainted with Honor from an earlier meeting, he receives her aboard his ship and escorts her to her quarters when she arrives to take up her Grayson duties.

First appears in chapter 14

A direct-action specialist inside North Hollow's inherited political organization. Compromising files leave her vulnerable to his coercion when he turns from public rehabilitation toward private action against Honor and the Navy.

First appears in chapter 16

A former Marine officer and known paid duelist, dismissed after an earlier duel death that witnesses believed was arranged. His unexplained appearance aboard HMSS Hephaestus causes a former Marine to alert military intelligence.

First appears in chapter 17

Honor's regent on Grayson, whose conservative standing and public support help legitimize her new steading. After Honor takes her place in the conclave, she returns the staff of regency and affirms his continued service.

First appears in chapter 20

Mark Sarnow's chief of staff and a senior officer among the group receiving an anonymous warning about Denver Summervale. She helps pass on intelligence that the duelist was retained to kill both Paul Tankersley and Honor.

First appears in chapter 21

A Sergeant Major who joins Tomas Ramirez's covert Marine landing party during a supposed winter exercise. She proves effective in close combat as the team raids the isolated chalet where Denver Summervale is hiding.

First appears in chapter 22

A Grayson major commanding the permanent security detachment sent to protect Honor as Steadholder Harrington. He arrives aboard HMS Nike with her and must coordinate his armed personnel with the ship's own security.

First appears in chapter 30

A lieutenant commander aboard HMS Nike and officer of the watch when Honor visits the ship shortly before her duel with Pavel Young. He receives her on the bridge while the battlecruiser remains under repair.

First appears in chapter 31

A political colleague of Duke Cromarty who assesses the consequences of Honor's public challenge to Pavel Young. He argues that she has turned to personal justice only after ordinary remedies failed her.

First appears in chapter 32

Pavel Young's brother and his second at the formal duel with Honor. His conduct at the dueling ground shows continued hostility toward her as both parties prepare to proceed under the Dreyfus protocol.

First appears in chapter 32

The lieutenant serving as master of the field for Honor's duel with Pavel Young. He administers the Dreyfus protocol, gives the required instructions, and holds responsibility for enforcing its rules.