# Dr. Proudie — Barchester Towers character guide > Dr. Proudie in Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Bishop Proudie, the Bishop of Barchester **First appearance:** 0002-iii-dr-and-mrs-proudie ## Snapshot The new Bishop of Barchester, a decent, indecisive man whose authority exists mostly on paper while his wife and chaplain divide the spoils. ## Who they are Proudie is nominally the head of the diocese, but his wife manages his household and Slope manages his business, leaving him to murmur 'hum, ha' while others decide. He is not a bad man, only a weak one, and his weakness is the vacuum into which Mrs. Proudie and Slope both pour their ambitions. His passivity shapes the entire struggle, since whoever controls the bishop effectively controls Barchester. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _professional_ Dr. Proudie is the bishop and Mr. Slope's superior, but Slope schemes to undermine his authority. ### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold) _social_ Dr. Proudie is Eleanor's bishop and a formal acquaintance, interacting mainly through church social functions. ### [Mr. Harding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_harding) _professional_ Dr. Proudie is Mr. Harding's bishop, and their relationship is formal but strained due to Harding's gentle resistance. ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _professional_ Dr. Proudie is the bishop and Mr. Slope's superior, but Slope schemes to undermine his authority. ### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold) _social_ Dr. Proudie is Eleanor's bishop and a formal acquaintance, interacting mainly through church social functions. ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _professional_ Dr. Proudie is the bishop and Mr. Slope's superior, but Slope schemes to undermine his authority. ### [Mr. Harding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_harding) _professional_ Dr. Proudie is Mr. Harding's bishop, and their relationship is formal but strained due to Harding's gentle resistance. ### [Mr. Harding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_harding) _professional_ Dr. Proudie is Mr. Harding's bishop, and their relationship is formal but strained due to Harding's gentle resistance. ### [Eleanor Bold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold) _social_ Dr. Proudie is Eleanor's bishop and a formal acquaintance, interacting mainly through church social functions. ## 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) Mentioned as the one who is consecrated Bishop of Barchester, ending the archdeacon's hopes. ### [Dr. and Mrs. Proudie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/iii-dr-and-mrs-proudie) Newly installed Bishop of Barchester; described as a good-looking, tidy man of below middle height, with a sharp nose and proud mouth and chin. He is henpecked by his wife and has a large family. ### [The Bishop's Chaplain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/iv-the-bishop-s-chaplain) Shown as the newly appointed Bishop of Barchester, sleeping in the railway carriage, with Mr. Slope plotting to dominate him and emancipate him from his wife's influence. ### [A Morning Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/v-a-morning-visit) The new bishop, seated in the old bishop's chair, wearing his apron; appears somewhat passive while his wife and chaplain dominate the conversation. ### [War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/vi-war) The new bishop, described by Grantly as a contemptible puppet controlled by others; he takes his seat in the cathedral for the first time. ### [The Dean and Chapter Take Counsel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/vii-the-dean-and-chapter-take-counsel) Returns to London with his wife to avoid confrontation with the dean and chapter over the sermon. ### [Mrs. Proudie's Reception—Commenced](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/x-mrs-proudie-s-reception-commenced) Anxiously awaits the Signora's arrival, preoccupied with her presence at the reception. ### [Mrs. Proudie's Reception—Concluded](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xi-mrs-proudie-s-reception-concluded) Discovers Signora Neroni is Dr. Stanhope's daughter, feels anger and embarrassment, and tries to be gracious to the Grantlyite clergy. ### [Slope Versus Harding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xii-slope-versus-harding) Mentioned as the bishop who supports the new measures and is informed of Mr. Harding's refusal. ### [The New Champion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xiv-the-new-champion) Mentioned as the bishop; the archdeacon plans to see him without his wife or chaplain present; considered an ass by the archdeacon. ### [Baby Worship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xvi-baby-worship) Torn between his wife and his chaplain, uncertain about the hospital appointment. ### [Who Shall Be Cock of the Walk?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xvii-who-shall-be-cock-of-the-walk) The bishop attempts to assert his independence from his wife, but his courage fails when confronted. ### [The Widow's Persecution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xviii-the-widow-s-persecution) Feigning illness, he avoids meeting Archdeacon Grantly and secretly agrees with Mr. Slope to proceed with Mr. Quiverful's appointment. ### [Mrs. Proudie Wrestles and Gets a Fall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxvi-mrs-proudie-wrestles-and-gets-a-fall) Initially silent and hesitant, he is persuaded by Mr. Slope to assert his authority and write to the archbishop, though he resists writing to Mr. Harding immediately. ### [A Love Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxvii-a-love-scene) Mentioned as the bishop who intends to offer the wardenship to Mr. Harding. ### [A New Candidate for Ecclesiastical Honours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxii-a-new-candidate-for-ecclesiastical-honours) Initially hesitant, he is persuaded by Mr. Slope to support his candidacy for the deanery and agrees to nominate Mr. Quiverful for Hiram's Hospital. ### [Mrs. Proudie Victrix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxiii-mrs-proudie-victrix) Returns home after overstaying his leave, is greeted affectionately by Mrs. Proudie, but feels uneasy as she questions him about the dean's succession. ### [Mr. and Mrs. Quiverful Are Made Happy. Mr. Slope Is Encouraged by the Press](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xliii-mr-and-mrs-quiverful-are-made-happy-mr-slope-is-encouraged-by-the-press) Signs the appointment for Mr. Quiverful under his wife's insistence, enjoys his day at Ullathorne, and later receives Dr. Gwynne in his study. ### [Mr. Slope Bids Farewell to the Palace and Its Inhabitants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/li-mr-slope-bids-farewell-to-the-palace-and-its-inhabitants) Reluctantly follows his wife's lead in dismissing Mr. Slope; later accepts his subordinate role. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/dr_proudie - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters