The usurping Duke of Lancre who murders his cousin King Verence to seize the throne, driven by his ambitious wife. He is a thin, lizard-like man who hates the kingdom's forests and rain. The duke descends into madness, obsessively scrubbing the blood from his hands and hearing accusing voices. Despite his insanity, he possesses moments of cold, clear cunning and correctly identifies that witches cannot overthrow him without compromising their own principles. He swings between mania and despair, becoming increasingly erratic.