Godric
The title character is based on a real-life historical figure Godric of Finchale who lived past the age of 100 and became a non-canonized saint. His story is fictionalized in this novel which situates his long life as a sort of symbolic incarnation of the eternal struggle between sin and temptation for all members of mankind. The novel is actually based on an existing medieval biography of the historical Godric.
Reginald
The author of that biography was a Benedictine monk known as Reginald of Durham. In the novel, Reginald is also fictionalized to serve the purpose of the narrative, existing in his role as the biographer of Godric which is being written by Reginald over an extended period of time.
Roger Mouse
The opening words of the novel are Godric’s confession that he had five friends of which two were snakes. One of the three others is his closest companion and partner in a series of roguish adventures, Roger Mouse. The two are also business partners who invest in a ship together ostensibly to transport pilgrims to holy sites, but for the real purpose of faking pirate attacks and robbing them.
Burcwen
Godric’s sister is Burcwen who saves his life as a near-drowning experience in his youth. This act serves to create a bond between the two which connects them for the rest of their lives. Eventually the latent incestuous desires which serves as part of this bond is consummated. Burcwen winds up getting herself to a nunnery.
William
Brother of Godric and Burcwen. The bond between his two siblings comes at the cost of William’s closeness to both, but especially his sister. It is while searching for Burcwen that he, rather ironically, actually does drown. Godric assumes responsibility for what was either an accident or suicide by claiming he as much as murdered his brother through his actions.
Elric
Godric attained some of his fame for the section of his life that he lived as a hermit. It is as an apprentice to Elric that Godric learns much about this life. The older hermit teaches Godric much—especially about the existence of evil in the world—but mostly what he learns is the value of being a hermit without accepting the dark worldview of Elric which leads only to a life without room and possibility for pleasure and happiness.
