Simpkin was a foliot in the service of Mr Pinn, who actually derived a certain amount of satisfaction and pride from his servitude, which, amongst other things, led Bartimaeus to regard him with contempt. Despite having the opportunity to escape his fate, Simpkin chose to attack a golem and die rather than leave Mr Pinn's Store. The only character in the trilogy other than the three main protagonists to have a chapter (albeit a short one) told from his point of view.