# Sir Impey Biggs — Clouds of Witness character guide

> Sir Impey Biggs in Clouds of Witness by Dorothy L. Sayers.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir Impey, Biggs

**First appearance:** 0004-i-of-his-malice-aforethought

## Snapshot

The eminent barrister defending the Duke of Denver, a courtroom lion whose wit and reputation are the family's best hope against a murder charge.

## Who they are

Sir Impey arrives still in wig and gown, apologizing for the tedium of the day's proceedings, and immediately establishes himself as the kind of counsel who is not to be taken liberties with. He is the Wimseys' hired champion, and his skill at cross-examination is the legal counterpart to Lord Peter's detective work. His presence in the case signals the gravity of the Duke's position and the machinery of English justice closing around a peer of the realm.

## Relationships

### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey)

_professional_

Defense attorney and client, with Biggs providing legal counsel for Peter's brother Gerald.

### [Captain Denis Cathcart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters/captain_denis_cathcart)

_professional_

Lawyer and deceased client, with Biggs representing Cathcart's interests posthumously during the trial.

### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey)

_professional_

Defense attorney and client, with Biggs providing legal counsel for Peter's brother Gerald.

### [Captain Denis Cathcart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters/captain_denis_cathcart)

_professional_

Lawyer and deceased client, with Biggs representing Cathcart's interests posthumously during the trial.

### [Lord Peter Wimsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters/lord_peter_wimsey)

_professional_

Defense attorney and client, with Biggs providing legal counsel for Peter's brother Gerald.

## In the story

### [III: Mudstains and Bloodstains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/iii-mudstains-and-bloodstains)

After dinner, questions Peter about the case and warns that finding the mysterious man might complicate the Duke's defense.

### [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)

Mentioned as being perturbed about the unusual procedure for trying a peer in the House of Lords.

### [X: Nothing Abides at the Noon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/x-nothing-abides-at-the-noon)

Advises Lady Mary on her testimony; argues that the goal is to create reasonable doubt for the defense, not necessarily to find the truth; criticizes the investigation for undermining the defense case.

### [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)

Defense counsel, who retires into eclipse for three days to prepare, then cross-examines Lady Mary, asking about Cathcart's capacity for affection.

### [Bar Falling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/xv-bar-falling)

Opens the defense with a dramatic speech about Lord Peter's transatlantic flight and looks worried.

### [XVI: The Second String](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/xvi-the-second-string)

Debates the risks of using Mrs. Grimethorpe's evidence; questions her about the timing of the Duke's visit.

### [XVII: The Eloquent Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/xvii-the-eloquent-dead)

Defense counsel, flustered by the Duke's obstinacy but relieved by Peter's arrival, he presents Cathcart's letter without having read it.

### [XVIII: The Speech for the Defense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/chapters/xviii-the-speech-for-the-defense)

Delivers the speech for the defense, arguing passionately for the Duke's innocence and reconstructing Cathcart's tragic story.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters/sir_impey_biggs
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clouds_of_witness_se/characters