Protagonist, anyway. But someone wanted a coward. He’s one and often comes out of his adventures looking to others like a hero.
Aren’t there some Reluctant Heroes who claim to be cowards near the beginning of the story? Can’t remember for sure, maybe Bilbo did this.
Poul Anderson’s space-epic protagonist, Dominic Flandry, is a coward, and is well aware of it. He sometimes does brave things anyway – one of the hallmarks of a certain kind of cowardice is being more afraid of it being found out than of dying horribly in combat.
Flandry is somewhat similar to Flashman…just not as funny.