# Bertie Stanhope — Barchester Towers character guide

> Bertie Stanhope in Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Ethelbert Stanhope, young Stanhope

**First appearance:** 0008-ix-the-stanhope-family

## Snapshot

A long-bearded, idle charmer with no profession and no money, drifting through Barchester while his sister quietly aims him at a wealthy widow.

## Who they are

Ethelbert Stanhope, with his silken beard, light blue eyes, and strange dress, is unlike any man Eleanor Bold has known, and his easy familiarity draws her into a friendship she never suspects is dangerous. His sister Charlotte orchestrates every intimacy, hoping to entrap Eleanor's fortune for her brother, though Bertie himself is less schemer than amiable drifter. He matters because he embodies the Stanhope family's seductive impropriety—the charm that makes Eleanor's innocence precarious.

## Relationships

### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold)

_romantic_

Bertie Stanhope, encouraged by his family, courts Eleanor for her money, though she ultimately rejects him.

### [Charlotte Stanhope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/charlotte_stanhope)

_family_

Bertie and Charlotte are siblings, with Charlotte often scheming to manage Bertie's irresponsible behavior.

### [Charlotte Stanhope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/charlotte_stanhope)

_family_

Bertie and Charlotte are siblings, with Charlotte often scheming to manage Bertie's irresponsible behavior.

### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold)

_romantic_

Bertie Stanhope, encouraged by his family, courts Eleanor for her money, though she ultimately rejects him.

### [Charlotte Stanhope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/charlotte_stanhope)

_family_

Bertie and Charlotte are siblings, with Charlotte often scheming to manage Bertie's irresponsible behavior.

### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold)

_romantic_

Bertie Stanhope, encouraged by his family, courts Eleanor for her money, though she ultimately rejects him.

## In the story

### [The Stanhope Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/ix-the-stanhope-family)

The spoiled, idle son of the family, turned loose upon the world without a profession or money, thanks to Charlotte's indulgence.

### [Mrs. Proudie's Reception—Concluded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xi-mrs-proudie-s-reception-concluded)

Pleasantly occupied with Mrs. Proudie's youngest daughter, avoids helping his sister, and makes impudent remarks.

### [The Widow's Suitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xv-the-widow-s-suitors)

Idle and without profession, he is persuaded by his sister Charlotte to court Eleanor Bold for her money.

### [Barchester by Moonlight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xix-barchester-by-moonlight)

Accompanies Eleanor on the walk, warns her about Mr. Slope, and charms her with his amusing and respectful manner.

### [Mrs. Proudie Victrix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxiii-mrs-proudie-victrix)

Becomes intimate with Eleanor, making playful speeches, but is largely a tool in his sister's schemes.

### [The Signora Neroni, the Countess de Courcy, and Mrs. Proudie Meet Each Other at Ullathorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-signora-neroni-the-countess-de-courcy-and-mrs-proudie-meet-each-other-at-ullathorne)

Succeeds in sitting next to Eleanor Bold at dinner; encouraged by her graciousness but his heart fails him as he has love in earnest to make.

### [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)

Seated next to Eleanor; plans to propose to her.

### [Mrs. Bold Confides Her Sorrow to Her Friend Miss Stanhope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xli-mrs-bold-confides-her-sorrow-to-her-friend-miss-stanhope)

Charlotte's brother, intended to be Eleanor's protector and suitor in the scheme.

### [Ullathorne Sports—Act III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlii-ullathorne-sports-act-iii)

Reluctantly follows his sister's scheme to propose to Eleanor, revealing his lack of principle and aversion to earning a living.

### [The Stanhopes at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlv-the-stanhopes-at-home)

Absent during the aftermath; his failed courtship of Eleanor is the subject of family conflict.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/bertie_stanhope
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters