# Eleanor Bold — Barchester Towers character guide > Eleanor Bold in Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Eleanor, Nelly, Mrs. Bold, the Widow Bold **First appearance:** 0000-i-who-will-be-the-new-bishop ## Snapshot A young widow who loved her husband with ivy-like tenacity, now the unwilling prize in a clerical tug-of-war she never asked to join. ## Who they are Eleanor mourns John Bold with a devotion that clings even to his faults, and pours her remaining love into their infant son. Her fortune and her beauty make her a target for suitors — most alarmingly Mr. Slope — while her father and brother-in-law argue over her future as though she were a pawn. Her quiet refusal to be managed is the moral center around which the novel's courtships turn. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _psychological_ Mr. Slope relentlessly pursues Eleanor for her fortune and status, creating a dynamic of unwanted obsession and manipulation. ### [Mr. Arabin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_arabin) _romantic_ Eleanor and Mr. Arabin develop a deep mutual affection and eventually marry, overcoming initial misunderstandings. ### [Archdeacon Grantly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/archdeacon_grantly) _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_ Eleanor is Mr. Harding's beloved daughter, and they share a tender, supportive father-daughter relationship. ### [Bertie Stanhope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/bertie_stanhope) _romantic_ Bertie Stanhope, encouraged by his family, courts Eleanor for her money, though she ultimately rejects him. ### [Dr. Proudie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/dr_proudie) _social_ Dr. Proudie is Eleanor's bishop and a formal acquaintance, interacting mainly through church social functions. ### [Miss Thorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/miss_thorne) _friendship_ Eleanor and Miss Thorne are friendly acquaintances, with Miss Thorne acting as a kind and hospitable hostess. ### [Charlotte Stanhope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/charlotte_stanhope) _social_ Charlotte Stanhope befriends Eleanor primarily to advance her brother Bertie's marriage prospects. ### [Signora Neroni](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/signora_neroni) _social_ Eleanor and Signora Neroni are polite acquaintances, though Eleanor is wary of the Signora's manipulative nature. ### [Mrs. Stanhope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mrs_stanhope) _social_ Eleanor is a guest and acquaintance of Mrs. Stanhope, who is a shallow and socially ambitious hostess. ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _psychological_ Mr. Slope relentlessly pursues Eleanor for her fortune and status, creating a dynamic of unwanted obsession and manipulation. ### [Mr. Slope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/mr_slope) _psychological_ Mr. Slope relentlessly pursues Eleanor for her fortune and status, creating a dynamic of unwanted obsession and manipulation. ## In the story ### [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) Widow of John Bold, devoted mother to her infant son; deeply mourns her husband but finds solace in her child. ### [War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/vi-war) Mentioned as not being required to call on Mrs. Proudie, according to the archdeacon's decision. ### [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) Receives Mr. Slope's visit, is swayed by his soft words, and later tells her father she thinks Mr. Slope is not as bad as painted. ### [The Rubbish Cart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xiii-the-rubbish-cart) Has become friendly with Mr. Slope, agreeing to help with a Sunday-school project; unaware of any romantic intentions on his part, but her actions worry her father and sister. ### [The New Champion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xiv-the-new-champion) Mentioned as having spoken to Mr. Slope and expressed willingness to teach in a Sunday-school; her relatives consider her scandalously ill-treated in this matter. ### [The Widow's Suitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xv-the-widow-s-suitors) The wealthy widow who is the object of schemes by both Mr. Slope and Bertie Stanhope. ### [Baby Worship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xvi-baby-worship) Distressed by news of Quiverful's appointment, but cautious about involving herself in her father's affairs. ### [The Widow's Persecution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xviii-the-widow-s-persecution) Innocent of the archdeacon's suspicions, she defends her conversation with Mr. Slope and accepts an invitation to the Stanhopes before agreeing to go to Plumstead. ### [Barchester by Moonlight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xix-barchester-by-moonlight) Enjoys a moonlit walk with the Stanhopes and is warned by Bertie about Mr. Slope's character. ### [St. Ewold’s Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxi-st-ewold-s-parsonage) Defends Mr. Slope against her sister's abuse, converses with Mr. Arabin at the parsonage, and begins to feel weary of the clerical lifestyle. ### [The Thornes of Ullathorne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxii-the-thornes-of-ullathorne) Accompanies the party to St. Ewold's and plans to lunch at the squire's house. ### [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) Travels with the party, engages in light banter with Arabin about public speaking. ### [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) Feels displeased by Mr. Arabin's attention to Signora Neroni, though she herself spends the evening with Bertie Stanhope; her devotion to her late husband is fading. ### [A Love Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxvii-a-love-scene) Recipient of Mr. Slope's letter; discussed by Signora Neroni as a potential match for Slope. ### [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) Receives Mr. Slope's letter, feels judged by the Grantlys, and shows it to her father, leading to misunderstanding. ### [A Serious Interview](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxix-a-serious-interview) Defends her correspondence with Mr. Slope and quarrels with Archdeacon Grantly, insisting on returning to Barchester alone. ### [Another Love Scene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxx-another-love-scene) Feels angry and ill-used by everyone, especially Mr. Arabin, whom she believed esteemed her. She is hurt by his earlier suspicions and struggles to maintain her composure during their encounter. ### [The Bishop's Library](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxi-the-bishop-s-library) Returns to Barchester from Plumstead and learns of the dean's fit from Mary Bold. ### [Mrs. Proudie Victrix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxiii-mrs-proudie-victrix) Grows fond of the Stanhopes, especially Charlotte and Bertie, but remains innocent of Charlotte's matchmaking schemes. She avoids Mr. Slope but is forced to ride with him to Ullathorne. ### [Oxford—The Master and Tutor of Lazarus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxiv-oxford-the-master-and-tutor-of-lazarus) Mentioned as the object of Mr. Arabin's affection and the subject of speculation regarding her feelings for Mr. Slope. ### [Miss Thorne's Fête Champêtre](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxv-miss-thorne-s-f-te-champ-tre) Travels to Ullathorne with apprehension, dreading Mr. Slope's attentions and the public display of being handed out of the carriage by him. ### [Ullathorne Sports—Act I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxxvi-ullathorne-sports-act-i) Vehemently denies any romantic interest in Mr. Slope and reconciles with her father. ### [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) Accepts Bertie Stanhope's arm to avoid Mr. Slope; sits next to Bertie at dinner while Mr. Arabin lingers by the Signora's sofa. ### [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) Arrives with Mr. Slope, causing scandal; seated between Bertie Stanhope and Mr. Slope at the party. ### [Ullathorne Sports—Act II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xl-ullathorne-sports-act-ii) Flees from Mr. Slope's advances, coldly rejects his proposal, and slaps him when he seizes her hand, then runs away in distress. ### [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) Distraught after Mr. Slope's advances, she confides in Charlotte Stanhope and reluctantly agrees to Charlotte's protective scheme. ### [Ullathorne Sports—Act III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlii-ullathorne-sports-act-iii) Feels betrayed upon learning Charlotte's manipulative intentions and firmly rejects Bertie's half-hearted proposal. ### [Mrs. Bold at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xliv-mrs-bold-at-home) Returns home from Ullathorne deeply unhappy and tired, confides in Mary about Mr. Slope's advances and the Stanhopes' scheme, finds comfort in her baby, and later discusses the dean's death and hospital appointment with her father. ### [The Stanhopes at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlv-the-stanhopes-at-home) Visits the Stanhopes and receives a startling revelation from Signora Neroni about Mr. Arabin's love for her, leaving her confused but hopeful. ### [Mr. Slope's Parting Interview with the Signora](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlvi-mr-slope-s-parting-interview-with-the-signora) Referenced indirectly as the object of Mr. Slope's courtship and the Signora's mockery, though not present in the scene. ### [Miss Thorne Shows Her Talent at Matchmaking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlviii-miss-thorne-shows-her-talent-at-matchmaking) Accepts Miss Thorne's invitation, feels destined to be with Mr. Arabin, and becomes engaged to him after a brief courtship. ### [The Beelzebub Colt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xlix-the-beelzebub-colt) Confesses her engagement to Miss Thorne and later shares a tender moment with Mr. Arabin. ### [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) Flees to avoid the archdeacon's congratulations; her engagement to Mr. Arabin is confirmed. ### [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) Receives her father with mixed emotions—grief that he remains without preferment and joy that he has secured the deanery for Mr. Arabin; she insists her father live with them. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/liii-conclusion) Marries Mr. Arabin and becomes Mrs. Arabin; develops High Church leanings; maintains a close but doctrinally different relationship with her sister Mrs. Grantly. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters/eleanor_bold - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/characters