Quintus Umfraville

Quintus Umfraville was a wizard and the author of the seventeenth-century book The Noble Sport of Warlocks. His work is remembered as an early, though somewhat simplistic and incomplete, account of the game that would become known as Quidditch. His writing provides a valuable historical insight into the sport's brutal and less-regulated origins (QTA).

Almost nothing is known about the life of Quintus Umfraville, other than that he was an author active in the early 17th century. His famous book, The Noble Sport of Warlocks, was published in 1620 and is referenced in Kennilworthy Whisp's definitive history, Quidditch Through the Ages (QTA). Umfraville's account is one of the earliest known written references to a game played on broomsticks that resembled modern Quidditch. However, his description of the game is notably flawed; he fails to mention the Golden Snitch or the Bludgers, and he makes no mention of the goalposts, suggesting the primary objective was simply to catch the Quaffle (QTA).

There is no known description of Quintus Umfraville's physical appearance. Based on his writing, he seemed to view the sport he described as a noble pursuit, befitting of Warlocks. However, his account focuses on rather unsporting aspects, such as a diagram showing how to set an opponent's broomstick on fire, indicating the game was far more violent in his time. He also describes the use of Cheering Charms by the crowd, suggesting he was interested in the spectacle of the sport as much as its rules (QTA).

• Writing: Umfraville was a published author, having penned at least one book, The Noble Sport of Warlocks (QTA).
• Knowledge of Magic: His book references the use of the Cheering Charm and spells capable of setting a broomstick alight, indicating he had at least a theoretical knowledge of such magic (QTA).

Umfraville's only known significant possession was the authorship of his book, The Noble Sport of Warlocks. The book is notable for its historical value in documenting an early stage in the evolution of Quidditch (QTA).

No family, friends, or other personal relationships are known for Quintus Umfraville.

• Quintus: A Latin praenomen meaning “fifth.” It was a common name in ancient Rome and lends a classical, historical feel to the character.
• Umfraville: A surname of Norman-French origin, derived from a place name in Normandy. It has aristocratic and historical connotations which fit well with the author of a book titled The Noble Sport of Warlocks.

Quintus Umfraville is not mentioned in the seven main Harry Potter novels. All canonical information about him comes from the supplementary book Quidditch Through the Ages, written by J.K. Rowling.