# Archdeacon Grantly — Barchester Towers character guide > Archdeacon Grantly in Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Dr. Grantly, Mr. Grantly, the Archdeacon **First appearance:** 0000-i-who-will-be-the-new-bishop ## Snapshot Barchester's formidable Archdeacon, who treats the Church as a family estate and every rival appointment as a personal declaration of war. ## Who they are Dr. Grantly commands the clerical establishment of Barchester with the assurance of a man who has never imagined it otherwise, and the arrival of Bishop Proudie and his chaplain Slope threatens everything he holds dear. He is genuinely attached to his protégé Mr. Arabin, yet his anxiety over Arabin's rumored entanglement with the Signora Neroni torments him almost as much as Slope's ascent, and his wife's sharper eyes only deepen his misery. His schemes to protect the hospital and block his enemies drive much of the novel's early maneuvering. ## Relationships ### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold) _family_ Archdeacon Grantly is Eleanor's brother-in-law and acts as a protective, often overbearing, guardian figure. ### [Mr. Harding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_harding) _family_ Archdeacon Grantly is Mr. Harding's son-in-law, and they share a close, though sometimes contentious, family bond. ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _rivalry_ Archdeacon Grantly fiercely battles Mr. Slope for control of the diocese and church politics. ### [Mr. Arabin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_arabin) _friendship_ Archdeacon Grantly and Mr. Arabin are allies and fellow clergymen, with Grantly supporting Arabin's career. ### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold) _family_ Archdeacon Grantly is Eleanor's brother-in-law and acts as a protective, often overbearing, guardian figure. ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _rivalry_ Archdeacon Grantly fiercely battles Mr. Slope for control of the diocese and church politics. ### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold) _family_ Archdeacon Grantly is Eleanor's brother-in-law and acts as a protective, often overbearing, guardian figure. ### [Mr. Harding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_harding) _family_ Archdeacon Grantly is Mr. Harding's son-in-law, and they share a close, though sometimes contentious, family bond. ### [Mr. Harding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_harding) _family_ Archdeacon Grantly is Mr. Harding's son-in-law, and they share a close, though sometimes contentious, family bond. ### [Mr. Arabin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_arabin) _friendship_ Archdeacon Grantly and Mr. Arabin are allies and fellow clergymen, with Grantly supporting Arabin's career. ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _rivalry_ Archdeacon Grantly fiercely battles Mr. Slope for control of the diocese and church politics. ### [Mr. Arabin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_arabin) _friendship_ Archdeacon Grantly and Mr. Arabin are allies and fellow clergymen, with Grantly supporting Arabin's career. ## In the story ### [Who Will Be the New Bishop?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/i-who-will-be-the-new-bishop) The son of the deceased bishop, he had hoped to succeed his father but is thwarted by the change in government. ### [Hiram’s Hospital According to Act of Parliament](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/ii-hiram-s-hospital-according-to-act-of-parliament) Eleanor's brother-in-law, agrees that the baby is delightful. ### [The Bishop's Chaplain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/iv-the-bishop-s-chaplain) Contrasted with Mr. Slope: the Archdeacon is described as a ruler who maintains power through wisdom and gentlemanly conduct, unlike Slope's intrusive and manipulative style. ### [A Morning Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/v-a-morning-visit) Accompanies Mr. Harding; deeply offended by the new bishop's household, especially Mr. Slope's familiarity and Mrs. Proudie's presence; vows never to shake Slope's hand again. ### [War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/vi-war) Furious at the new bishop and Mr. Slope, he plans a campaign of high church opposition and vows to make Barchester too hot for Slope. ### [The Dean and Chapter Take Counsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/vii-the-dean-and-chapter-take-counsel) Leads the chapter meeting, vehemently opposes Mr. Slope, and insists on barring him from the cathedral pulpit. ### [The Ex-Warden Rejoices in His Probable Return to the Hospital](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/viii-the-ex-warden-rejoices-in-his-probable-return-to-the-hospital) Expresses strong opinions on the hospital affair, criticizing the government's role and the reduction of income, but supports Mr. Harding's reappointment as a practical matter. ### [Mrs. Proudie's Reception—Commenced](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/x-mrs-proudie-s-reception-commenced) Attends the reception with his wife and daughter Griselda, shaking hands with Dr. Stanhope. ### [Mrs. Proudie's Reception—Concluded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xi-mrs-proudie-s-reception-concluded) Engages in sharp banter with Bishop Proudie about Oxford reforms, representing the Grantlyite faction. ### [The Rubbish Cart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xiii-the-rubbish-cart) Mentioned as being out when Mr. Harding arrives; expected to advocate for open battle against the Proudie faction. ### [The New Champion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xiv-the-new-champion) Triumphantly secures Mr. Arabin for St. Ewold's; energetically persuades Mr. Harding to resist Slope's conditions; later disturbed by Mrs. Grantly's news about Eleanor and Slope. ### [Who Shall Be Cock of the Walk?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xvii-who-shall-be-cock-of-the-walk) He writes to the bishop requesting a meeting about Mr. Harding's reappointment to the hospital. ### [The Widow's Persecution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xviii-the-widow-s-persecution) Furious at being fobbed off with a note from Mr. Slope, he confronts Mr. Harding and Eleanor, suspecting Mr. Slope's designs on Eleanor and the hospital. ### [Mr. Arabin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xx-mr-arabin) Host at Plumstead; praises Arabin highly and defends him against his wife's criticisms. ### [St. Ewold’s Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxi-st-ewold-s-parsonage) Accuses Eleanor of deceit regarding Mr. Slope, discusses parish matters with Mr. Arabin, and thoroughly inspects the parsonage's condition. ### [The Thornes of Ullathorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxii-the-thornes-of-ullathorne) Assists Mr. Arabin at the reading desk; his duty at Plumstead is taken by Mr. Harding. ### [Mr. Arabin Reads Himself in at St. Ewold's](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxiii-mr-arabin-reads-himself-in-at-st-ewold-s) Accompanies Arabin, ridicules his shyness, and preaches a sermon comparing himself to St. Paul. ### [Mr. Slope Manages Matters Very Cleverly at Puddingdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxiv-mr-slope-manages-matters-very-cleverly-at-puddingdale) Continues to oppose the bishop's plans and seeks support from the Master of Lazarus to drive the bishop into compliance. ### [Mrs. Bold Is Entertained by Dr. and Mrs. Grantly at Plumstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxviii-mrs-bold-is-entertained-by-dr-and-mrs-grantly-at-plumstead) Intercepts Mr. Slope's letter, expresses outrage, and confronts Eleanor about her association with Slope. ### [A Serious Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxix-a-serious-interview) Confronts Eleanor about Mr. Slope's letter, believing it to be a love letter, and becomes further convinced of her intention to marry Slope. ### [Another Love Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxx-another-love-scene) Mentioned as having lectured Eleanor about Mr. Slope, contributing to her irritation. ### [The Bishop's Library](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxi-the-bishop-s-library) Dominates the clerical gathering in the bishop's library, anxiously considering the dean's condition and the potential succession. ### [Oxford—The Master and Tutor of Lazarus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxiv-oxford-the-master-and-tutor-of-lazarus) Gloomy about Mr. Slope's potential rise to the deanery; discusses strategy with Mr. Arabin and treats Mr. Harding as a pawn in the ecclesiastical struggle. ### [The Bishop Sits Down to Breakfast, and the Dean Dies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-bishop-sits-down-to-breakfast-and-the-dean-dies) Angry with Eleanor for arriving with Mr. Slope; condemns her behavior to Mr. Arabin. ### [The Dean Elect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlvii-the-dean-elect) Frustrated by Mr. Harding's reluctance to accept the deanery and distressed by Mr. Arabin's rumored misconduct. ### [Miss Thorne Shows Her Talent at Matchmaking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlviii-miss-thorne-shows-her-talent-at-matchmaking) Accompanies Mr. Harding back to Barchester, arguing that Harding should accept the deanery. ### [The Archdeacon Is Satisfied with the State of Affairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/l-the-archdeacon-is-satisfied-with-the-state-of-affairs) Initially disbelieves Eleanor's engagement to Mr. Arabin, but later approves and plans the wedding; shows goodwill to Mrs. Quiverful. ### [The New Dean Takes Possession of the Deanery, and the New Warden of the Hospital](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/lii-the-new-dean-takes-possession-of-the-deanery-and-the-new-warden-of-the-hospital) Accompanies Mr. Harding to Oxford and London, using his influence to promote Mr. Arabin and thwart Mr. Slope, though he takes more credit than due. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/liii-conclusion) Performs the marriage ceremony; celebrates his victory over Mr. Slope with extravagant gifts; retains some ecclesiastical authority but no longer reigns supreme. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/archdeacon_grantly - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters