Will Revill is an agent of British Intelligence.
There being no real government agency with that designation back in the late 1500's, it is more accurate to say that Revill is working for Sir Thomas Heneage, an influential force in Queen Elizabeth I's retinue and a man known for being ambitious and successful at gaining and keeping power. It is important to state that while Heneage might or might not have been a spymaster in the traditional sense, he was not only friends with an acknowledged expert in that field, Sir Francis Walsingham, he knew the ins and outs of intrigue and how best to make use of it to protect the Crown and his own station.
A key word to describe Revill's work with that spymaster, shown in the title of adventures of Revill, is 'reluctant' for Revill has no desire at any time to handle the unpleasant work that Heneage will force upon him. Revill will become party to that man's machinations only to protect his own family from major disaster.
Revill's real line of work is that of an officer in the British Army's Artillery Corps. Holding the rank of Captain, Revill has already spent considerable time in that capacity and is known for being quite good at commanding his one hundred plus men and if Revill has his way, he would continue as such for the foreseeable future.
Unfortunately, Heneage has need of someone of Revill's intelligence and tenacity, not to mention his "intemperance" and will use any means to get it, including threatening Revill's sister's safety. Thus Revill becomes an unofficial operative.
Revill's exact age is not mentioned (that I could find) but I would estimate it to be in the late 20s or very early 30s. He is a good looking man in quite good shape, a fellow who catches and keeps the eye of several youthful women and more than one not so young; while he is not immune to their qualities, he is decent enough to be mindful of Jenna, his young Cornish 'paramour' who waits for him back in London.
Traveling with Revill and serving as his right hand is Sergeant Tom Bright, an older man described as wiry and little and a man who has become quite close to Revill since the time a year before we first meet them when in a battle in the Netherlands they, under orders, fought a horrific battle that left most of their forces decimated and themselves permanently scarred. Professionally they remain Captain and sergeant but personally, they are close friends.
Good Lines:
- Said by Heneage concerning an enemy of the Crown, "A drowned Spaniard is as good as one who's been shot."
- Said by his Cornish lover, Jenna, "Remember this. An Irish main is only a Cornish maid who can swim."