Hengist
He is a young, eighteen-year-old boy who works as a basket weaver. He is described as being highly unattractive, with his “squat body,” and, “short bandy legs.” This means he is outcasted by all the young woman in the town.
The Princess
The Princess is an unnamed, young seventeen-year-old beauty, who captures the attention of Hengist and quickly becomes his obsession. Despite Hengist's desire to be with her, she is in an abusive relationship. Eventually, she is saved by Hengist and becomes promised to marriage to him by the King.
The King
The King is a highly misogynistic man who cares little for women, including his own daughter. After witnessing Hengist save his daughter's life, he offers her hand in marriage, as well as giving him permission to “ravish any maiden, wench, lady, dame, Countess, Duchess, or other female in the kingdom whenever he so desires.” As such, he is shown to have very little care for those he regards as inferior to him, such as women of that period.
