# Mrs. Quiverful — Barchester Towers character guide

> Mrs. Quiverful in Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Quiverful of Puddingdale

**First appearance:** 0023-xxiv-mr-slope-manages-matters-very-cleverly-at-puddingdale

## Snapshot

Broad, heavy, and unsentimental, she commandeers a farmer's tax-cart and rides to the bishop's palace to demand the living her family cannot do without.

## Who they are

Mrs. Quiverful manages a vicarage bursting with children and a husband whose prospects rest on other men's whims. Too stout to walk to Barchester and too proud to explain herself to Farmer Subsoil, she arrives at the palace with an umbrella and a grievance. Her blunt, practical assault on the bishop's door exposes how much of the novel's ecclesiastical maneuvering is really about money and mouths to feed.

## In the story

### [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)

Fiercely pragmatic, she prioritizes her children's welfare over her husband's scruples and is relieved by the promised promotion.

### [XXV: Fourteen Arguments in Favour of Mr. Quiverful's Claims](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxv-fourteen-arguments-in-favour-of-mr-quiverful-s-claims)

Determined mother of fourteen who confronts Mrs. Proudie about the warden's position, using her children's needs as leverage.

### [Mrs. Proudie Wrestles and Gets a Fall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/barchester_towers_se/chapters/xxvi-mrs-proudie-wrestles-and-gets-a-fall)

Visits the palace to plead for her husband's appointment; she is sent home with a promise from Mrs. Proudie to insist on the appointment.

### [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)

Receives Mrs. Proudie's letter, expresses cautious optimism about the appointment, and embraces her husband in joy.

### [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)

Surprised by the archdeacon's friendly greeting while moving into Hiram's Hospital.

## Links

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