Oswyn Colthurst

### Affiliation

Apothecary's Guild (former)Puritan Resistance (former)Member of the Cult of the ArchangelMaster ApothecaryMaster to Wat, Martin and the Elephant

## Appearances

### Books

The Blackthorn Key

> "*I won't insult you by pretending you're stupid. Please extend me the same courtesy. Give me the recipe for the Archangel's Fire.*"
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> -Oswyn Colthurst, to Christopher Rowe
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## Background

Oswyn Colthurst is a corrupt apothecary and member of the Cult of the Archangel. He is the main antagonist of *The Blackthorn Key,* and throughout the book, tries to hunt down the Archangel's Fire.

He is a Guild Warden in the Apothecaries' Guild, alongside Sir Edward Thorpe and Valentine Grey.

## Appearance

Oswyn is described as dressing simply, wearing a ordinary brown coat over plain clean linen. He has a shaved head, and does not wear a wig. Alongside his heavily-dressed Guild Council members, he looks extremely plain. His way of dress is probably due to his lifestyle as a Puritan.

## The Blackthorn Key

#### The Feast of the Burning of Joan of Arc, Heretic (May 30th, 1665)

Oswyn first appears in the book when the Guild Council comes to the Blackthorn Apothecary after Benedict Blackthorn's death. He meets Lord Ashcombe, who acts angrily towards him due to his status as a Puritan.

> "*...Lord Ashcombe's retort was just as hostile. 'My job, Puritan.'*"
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> -Lord Ashcombe, after Oswyn asks what he is doing in London
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He and the others discuss the murder of Benedict Blackthorn, but come to no conclusion. When Nathaniel Stubb enters the shop and tells them to search Christopher, in case he stole something (which he had), Oswyn says, "Oh, do shut up, Nathaniel."

#### The Visitation of Mary (May 31th, 1665)

After Christopher overhears Stubb talking about murdering Blackthorn, Christopher comes to the Apothecaries' Hall to tell Master Thorpe. Oswyn finds him, and after Christopher claims Stubb killed Blackthorn, Oswyn grabs his ear and opens all the doors on the way to the office with his head.

In his office, Oswyn berates Christopher over talking about Stubb, an apothecary master, like that in broad daylight. He also completely dismisses the claim that Stubb committed murder.

> "*Ridiculous. Nathaniel Stubb may be a weasel, but he's no killer. he doesn't have the stones for it.*"
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> -Oswyn Colthurst, to Christopher Rowe
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After he realises that Christopher also knows about Wat, Oswyn's own apprentice in the Cult, Oswyn feigns irritation. He says that Wat is no apprentice of Stubb, which Christopher thinks he is. Christopher tells him about the conversation he overheard in the Blackthorn Apothecary. When he tells Oswyn that they were discussing 'the fire', Oswyn acts puzzled, and tells Christopher that Blackthorn's will was missing from the vault. He tells Christopher that Stubb may be able to purchase Blackthorn Apothecary, and adds that money is all Stubb ever cares about, and that it could be possible Stubb was just looking for money that day before. Christopher denies this, and Oswyn admits that it may indeed be the Cult involved.

When Christopher asks what the Cult is after, Oswyn tells him the answer- power. He says that as all healing power comes from God, the Cult is looking for something even more powerful; something that would grant them the power of God himself. He tells Christopher what the Cult wants to do- overthrow the king, and take his power for themselves. In this way, Oswyn reveals his own motives for wanting the Archangel's Fire, for as a Puritan, he wants the power he believes the Fire can grant him to seize power.

Oswyn asks Christopher who can back up his story, as he is secretly trying to figure out who else knows the truth about Blackthorn's murder. Christopher lies, telling him that he told no one (though truthfully, his best friend Tom was there with him last night). Reassured, Oswyn tells Christopher to stay in the office while he leaves to find the clerk, on the pretense of that Stubb may be on the grounds and looking to finish Christopher off. In fact, Oswyn was likely looking to send his three apprentices- Wat, Martin and the Elephant- to kill Christopher. However, Christopher escapes in fear of being found by the Cult, leaving Oswyn to think he discovered the truth about him.