See also Recurring characters in the Aubrey–Maturin series
- Jack Aubrey: Commander of Polychrest and later appointed Captain of HMS Lively .
- Stephen Maturin: Ship's surgeon, natural philosopher, friend to Jack and intelligence officer; son of Irish and Catalan parents, knows both countries well.
- Sophia Williams: Eldest daughter of three, fair haired beauty of strong character, who lives in the neighborhood where Jack Aubrey takes a house during the brief peace. Aubrey falls in love with her but is indecisive with her in contrast to his decisive nature at sea.
- Mrs Williams: Mother of Sophia, Cecilia, and Frances Williams, widowed. She is protective of her daughters while working to find a suitable husband for each. An unpleasant personality.
- Diana Villiers: Same age cousin of Sophia Williams, both orphaned and widowed in India, now living with her Williams cousins. Both Stephen Maturin and Jack Aubrey are attracted to her dark-haired beauty and abrupt ways. Stephen surprises himself that he can fall in love again.
- Earl Saint Vincent: First Lord of the Admiralty when Aubrey first requests a ship, after prize court decisions go against him. He does not have enough ships at hand.
- General Aubrey: Father of Jack Aubrey. He recently married his dairymaid, and they have a son about the time Jack Aubrey learns of his debt due to the adverse prize court decision. The general lives at Woolcombe, is a member of Parliament, and speaks out too often, and against the Royal Navy, thus against his son's career advancement.
- Sir Joseph Blaine: Head of naval intelligence, Stephen Maturin's contact at the Admiralty, and an entomologist.
- Christy Pallière: Captain of the French ship that took Sophie , with cousins in Bath whom Jack Aubrey visited when also visiting Sophia. He is affable and sociable, and a good ship captain.
- Dr Ramis: French ship's surgeon and contact for Maturin in Toulon.
- Dumanoir de Plessy: Captain of the French privateer Bellone , wounded while taking the Lord Nelson . Maturin treats his wounds, yielding kinder treatment to the passengers now prisoners on his prize.
- Azéma: Second captain from Bellone , captain aboard the prize Lord Nelson merchant ship, who struck his colors on meeting four Royal Navy ships of the line.
- Mr Adam Scriven: An unemployed literary man and translator who instructs Aubrey and Maturin in the laws of debt and the safe haven of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Liberty of the Savoy in the midst of London.
- Mrs Broad: Runs The Grapes, the inn in the Savoy, where Aubrey is safe from bailiffs wanting to take him for debt. He and Maturin set up there.
- Lord Keith: Admiral in the Royal Navy, married to Queeney.
- Queeney: Wife of Lord Keith, and in earlier days, neighbour and tutor to young Jack Aubrey, who hosts a gathering where Aubrey and Maturin meet Canning, as well as Diana Villiers, Mrs Williams and Cecilia.
- Heneage Dundas: Close friend of Jack Aubrey who is already made post captain, intoHMS Franchise when he meets Aubrey and Maturin at Queeeney's "rout" (large evening party).
- Mr Richard Canning: Wealthy trader with a fleet of merchant ships. He offers Aubrey a position as captain on his new privateering ship built like the Bellone . A married man, he pursues Diana Villiers, who goes into keeping with him.
- Lord Melville: First Lord of the Admiralty when war resumes. His political support is the opposition to those who supported his predecessor, Lord Saint Vincent.
- Admiral Harte: He has a squadron in the Downs, to which the Polychrest is attached. He has a strong grudge against Aubrey.
- Mr Parker: First Lieutenant in Polychrest , he uses too much punishment which was part of what nearly precipitated a mutiny on the Polychrest . He had sailed with Prince William (Duke of Clarence), who pressed Lord Melville about his friend's progress. Ironically, Aubrey's good word about him helps him gain his step at age 56 to master and commander on the Fanciulla , bought into service after capture.
- Mr Tom Pullings: Young Second Lieutenant in Polychrest , promoted from master's mate, after his stint with the British East India Company during the peace, on the ship Lord Nelson that Aubrey and Maturin board at Gibraltar.
- Mr and Mrs Pullings: Parents of Tom who bring the food for the feast in Gosport to celebrate his promotion to lieutenant. Mrs Pullings brings her specialty savory pheasant pie, so good that she and Maturin talk at length about the tasty truffles she includes in it.
- Mr William Babbington: Midshipman in Polychrest who injures his left arm in the taking of the Fanciulla .
- Mr Parslow: Young midshipman aboard Polychrest .
- Barret Bonden: Coxswain from HM Sloop Sophie who joins Aubrey when he has HMS Polychrest and brought aboard the HMS Lively .
- Joe Plaice: Cousin to Bonden who signs on to the crew of the Polychrest .
- Preserved Killick: Servant to Aubrey aboard HMS Polychrest and one of the only crewman he can take aboard HMS Lively as a jobbing captain.
- James MacDonald: Reliable first Lieutenant of Marines on Polychrest , until he loses part of his left arm in the attack of Bellone , recuperating in the naval hospital under Maturin's care. He has extensive conversations with Maturin on many topics, and loans his fine pistols to Maturin for the duel that never happens.
- Smithers: Lieutenant of Marines replacing MacDonald aboard Polychrest , independently wealthy, who loses to Maturin at cards, but supports Aubrey at the time of the threatened mutiny.
- Captain Hamond: Regular captain of HMS Lively , recently a Member of Parliament, who takes a leave of absence to engage in political activities, leaving the vacancy for Aubrey.
- Mr Simmons: First lieutenant aboard HMS Lively , a well-run frigate. He is prize captain of Clara .
- Mr Dashwood: Another lieutenant aboard HMS Lively . His sister and nephew takes a ride to meet her husband, carried as a favour, similar to the ride Sophia and Cecilia Williams take to the Downs from Plymouth. He is on duty when the Fama strikes her colours. He is assigned prize captain of that ship.
- Don José Bustamente: Admiral of the Spanish squadron, with his flag on the Medea , carrying treasures from the River Plate to Cadiz. The Royal Navy decides to intercept this squadron, hoping it will strike colors in the face of British force.
- Don Ignacio: Captain of the Clara , taken aboard HMS Lively when Clara struck her colours.
- Graham: Commodore of squadron and captain of HMS Indefatigable pursuing the Spanish squadron. He is impatient for action when the negotiations for surrender seem not to succeed.
- Sutton: Captain of HMS Amphion , in the squadron to intercept the Real Armada (Spanish Royal Navy) squadron before it reaches Cadiz.
