The Earl in the Gutter: How Nobby Nobbs Almost Became King
In Feet of Clay, Nobby Nobbs is revealed as a possible heir to the Earl of Ankh. His refusal is Pratchett's funniest takedown of the 'rightful king' trope.
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Nobby Nobbs - Discworld Character Biography
Appears in 8 books
Character Bio
A member of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch so unidentifiably human he carries a certificate to prove his species. A petty thief and coward with questionable hygiene, he nonetheless shows occasional moments of surprising insight and loyalty to his fellow watchmen.
Physical Appearance
Corporal Nobby Nobbs is a notably scruffy, wiry, and unsightly character of dubious species and hygiene. He is extremely short and thin, with rough, blotchy skin, scraggly hair, and perpetually shifty, suspicious eyes. Nobby wears an ill-fitting, patched, and heavily stained City Watch uniform, frequently accessorized with stolen or found trinkets like mismatched jewelry, medals, or dubious souvenirs. His slouching posture and furtive manner suggest mischief or petty crime lurking just beneath the surface.
Articles About Nobby Nobbs
The Certificate of Humanity: What Nobby Nobbs Says About Who We Are
Nobby Nobbs carries a certificate signed by Lord Vetinari proving he's human. Through this running gag, Pratchett asks: what truly makes someone human?
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Nobby Nobbs Appears In These Discworld Books
- 8
Guards! Guards!
The cynical, downtrodden City Watch of Ankh-Morpork faces off against a dragon summoned by power-hungry conspirators. Led by Captain Vimes, they must overcome incompetence to protect their city.
Examines authority, justice, and civic responsibility, satirizing the complacency of institutions and the public's desire for simplistic solutions.
Main characters: sam vimes, carrot ironfoundersson, sybil ramkin, nobby nobbs, fred colon, lord vetinari and lupine wonse
- 15
Men at Arms
Captain Vimes and the expanding City Watch investigate a mysterious new invention a lethal "gonne" which threatens stability in Ankh-Morpork. Issues of race, integration, and justice loom large.
Discusses prejudice, integration, and social reform, emphasizing the value of diversity and challenging entrenched biases.
Main characters: sam vimes, carrot ironfoundersson, angua, detritus, cuddy, edward d eath, sybil ramkin and lord vetinari
- 19
Feet of Clay
Vimes investigates an assassination attempt on Lord Vetinari involving golems, the city's clay workers. The mystery reveals deep societal tensions in the city's hierarchy.
Explores free will, class struggle, and the ethics of artificial intelligence, raising questions about what it truly means to be "alive."
Main characters: sam vimes, carrot ironfoundersson, angua, cheery littlebottom, dorfl, lord vetinari and detritus
- 21
Jingo
War threatens between Ankh-Morpork and Klatch over a newly risen island. Commander Vimes must navigate diplomacy, espionage, and prejudice to avert a senseless conflict.
A sharp critique of nationalism, xenophobia, and the absurdity of war, highlighting how easily prejudice is exploited politically.
Main characters: sam vimes, carrot ironfoundersson, angua, fred colon, nobby nobbs, lord vetinari, leonard of quirm and seventyone hour ahmed
- 24
The Fifth Elephant
Commander Vimes travels to Uberwald for diplomatic negotiations, uncovering plots involving dwarven politics and werewolves. Tensions mount as intrigue threatens war.
Addresses international diplomacy, cultural misunderstandings, and the delicate balance of political power and integrity.
Main characters: sam vimes, sybil ramkin, carrot ironfoundersson, angua, wolfgang von uberwald, gaspode and sally von humpeding
- 29
Night Watch
Commander Vimes is sent back in time during a rebellion in Ankh-Morpork. He must mentor his younger self and maintain history without disrupting his personal future.
An introspective look at morality, justice, personal integrity, and the inevitability of history repeating itself.
Main characters: sam vimes, carcer dun, reg shoe, rosie palm and lord snapcase
- 34
Thud!
Vimes investigates a murder amidst escalating tensions between trolls and dwarves. Ancient animosity threatens to plunge the city into chaos.
Addresses racial and ethnic tensions, prejudice, and the importance of empathy, communication, and historical reconciliation.
Main characters: sam vimes, carrot ironfoundersson, angua, cheery littlebottom, detritus, sybil ramkin, lord vetinari, grag hamcrusher and mr shine
- 39
Snuff
Vimes investigates crimes against goblins in the countryside, confronting entrenched prejudice and fighting for justice.
Tackles systemic prejudice, colonial attitudes, and the fight for civil rights and dignity, underscoring justice as an active, persistent choice.
Main characters: sam vimes, sybil ramkin, willikins, chief constable feeney upshot, stratford and tears of the mushroom