# Gerald Wimsey — Clouds of Witness character guide > Gerald Wimsey in Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mortimer Gerald Bredon Wimsey, Poor old Gerald, Gerald, old Gerald, old Jerry, Jerry, Presently Wimsey **First appearance:** 0002-clouds-of-witness ## Snapshot The 15th Duke of Denver, whose stiff upper lip and refusal to explain his whereabouts on the night of the murder make him the Crown's perfect suspect. ## Who they are Gerald Wimsey is Lord Peter's elder brother, a proud, punctilious aristocrat who treats his own murder trial as an affront to family dignity rather than a fight for his life. He clings to the principle that he need not prove his innocence, even as his silence and his undisclosed alibi tighten the noose around him. His stubborn refusal to confide in his brother is the wall Peter must break through before the real investigation can begin. ## Relationships ### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey) _family_ Brothers with a strained but ultimately loyal bond, as Peter works to clear Gerald of murder charges. ### [Mrs. Grimethorpe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters/mrs_grimethorpe) _romantic_ Secret lovers, with Gerald's affair with the farmer's wife being a motive for the murder. ### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey) _family_ Brothers with a strained but ultimately loyal bond, as Peter works to clear Gerald of murder charges. ### [Mrs. Grimethorpe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters/mrs_grimethorpe) _romantic_ Secret lovers, with Gerald's affair with the farmer's wife being a motive for the murder. ### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey) _family_ Brothers with a strained but ultimately loyal bond, as Peter works to clear Gerald of murder charges. ## In the story ### [Clouds of Witness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/clouds-of-witness) The Duke of Denver, arrested for the murder of his fiancé. ### [Prologue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/prologue) Mentioned as Mortimer Gerald Bredon Wimsey, the 15th Duke of Denver and father of Lord Peter. ### [I: Of His Malice Aforethought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/i-of-his-malice-aforethought) The Duke of Denver; arrested on a murder charge for the death of Captain Denis Cathcart; gave evidence at the inquest. ### [III: Mudstains and Bloodstains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/iii-mudstains-and-bloodstains) Mentioned as refusing to cooperate with his defense, insisting he did not kill Cathcart. ### [IV: —And His Daughter Much-Afraid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/iv-and-his-daughter-much-afraid) Referenced as the brother under arrest; his police-court proceedings are discussed. ### [V: The Rue St. Honoré and the Rue de la Paix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/v-the-rue-st-honor-and-the-rue-de-la-paix) The Duke of Denver, committed for trial at Northallerton; Peter is focused on getting him cleared. ### [VI: Mary Quite Contrary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/vi-mary-quite-contrary) Indicted for murder by the Grand Jury and produced in court, but the judge declares himself incompetent to try a peer. ### [XI: Meribah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/xi-meribah) The Duke of Denver, imprisoned and defiant, refuses to reveal his alibi and criticizes Peter's detective work. ### [XII: The Alibi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/xii-the-alibi) Referenced as the Duke of Denver; his alibi with Mrs. Grimethorpe is revealed through the letter. ### [XIII: Manon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/xiii-manon) The Duke of Denver is the primary suspect; Peter works to prove his innocence. ### [XIV: The Edge of the Axe Towards Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/xiv-the-edge-of-the-axe-towards-him) The Duke of Denver, the prisoner at the bar, appears small and pink in his blue serge suit, listening gravely to the charge and glancing uneasily at his solicitor when exposure is hinted. ### [XVII: The Eloquent Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/xvii-the-eloquent-dead) The Duke of Denver, the accused, stubbornly refuses to speak in his defense but is moved by Lady Mary's willingness to testify. ### [XVIII: The Speech for the Defense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/xviii-the-speech-for-the-defense) The Duke of Denver, the defendant, maintains his innocence and testifies, though his earlier inconsistent statements are challenged. ### [XIX: Who Goes Home?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/xix-who-goes-home) Acquitted and reunited with family; narrowly survives Grimethorpe's assassination attempt. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters/gerald_wimsey - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters