Lord George Gordon
The fictionalized character of Gordon is actually an allegory of the real-life member of parliament after whom the riots were named. He was born into nobility and was known for his eccentricity and blusterous personality. He was head of the Protestant Association that sought to repeal the Papists Act. He was constantly controversial throughout his life.
Gordon Riots Symbol
The Gordon Riots are symbol of the man they were named after as they were the culmination of the bad feeling towards Catholics who wanted to give their loyalty to the Pope rather than the British monarch, and also a symbol of Gordon's view that Catholics should not be given the same civil rights as Protestants.
Raven Symbol
The raven (in this case, Barnaby's raven Grip) is a symbol of bad luck, or bad fortune, and it can definitely be said that Barnaby has a greater degree of bad fortune than the other characters in the book. He is a "simpleton"; his father, absent for most of his life, is a murderer, and Barnaby is so gullible that he is used, imprisoned and charged with heinous crimes he doesn't understand.
The Maypole Inn Symbol
In ancient times in England, villagers would gather around the maypole for fellowship, company and to catch up on village gossip, It was the hub of the villager around which all important decisions were made. The name of the Maypole Inn is symbolic in that the Inn is now the hub of village life; it is where the residents of Chigwell go to catch up on their gossip, to share news and to make important decisions that involve their fellow villagers.
The Hangman Symbol
Dennis is a hangman at Newgate Prison. His job, though, is also symbolic of his role in the riots in that he betrays Barnaby, his father and Hugh to the soldiers, knowing that his betrayal of them will result in their deaths. He has been their "hangman" even without doing the job himself.
