# The Bishop — Dr. Wortle’s School character guide

> The Bishop in Dr. Wortle’s School by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bishop

**First appearance:** 0010-part-iv-xi-the-bishop

## Snapshot

The third Bishop of Broughton, a prudent man of the world who finds himself obliged to reprove Dr. Wortle's anti-clerical tongue and his taste for curates without piety.

## Who they are

Bowick has outlasted two earlier bishops — one who resented the school overshadowing the parish, one Low Church zealot whom the Doctor openly defied. The present bishop hates quarrels and wishes to befriend his clergy, yet Dr. Wortle's declared search for a curate with none of the grace of godliness forces a correspondence. The clash matters because it establishes the Doctor's character before the Peacocke crisis: a man who will not bend to authority, however amiably offered, and who has always won by sheer force of will.

## Relationships

### [Dr. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/dr_wortle)

_rivalry_

Dr. Wortle clashes with the Bishop over the scandal surrounding Mr. Peacocke, with the Bishop pressuring him to dismiss Peacocke.

### [Mrs. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mrs_wortle)

_social_

Mrs. Wortle interacts with the Bishop in a formal, respectful manner, though she is aware of the tension with her husband.

### [Mr. Peacocke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_peacocke)

_rivalry_

The Bishop is a figure of authority who condemns Mr. Peacocke's marital situation, creating an adversarial relationship.

### [Dr. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/dr_wortle)

_rivalry_

Dr. Wortle clashes with the Bishop over the scandal surrounding Mr. Peacocke, with the Bishop pressuring him to dismiss Peacocke.

### [Mrs. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mrs_wortle)

_social_

Mrs. Wortle interacts with the Bishop in a formal, respectful manner, though she is aware of the tension with her husband.

### [Dr. Wortle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/dr_wortle)

_rivalry_

Dr. Wortle clashes with the Bishop over the scandal surrounding Mr. Peacocke, with the Bishop pressuring him to dismiss Peacocke.

### [Mr. Peacocke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_peacocke)

_rivalry_

The Bishop is a figure of authority who condemns Mr. Peacocke's marital situation, creating an adversarial relationship.

### [Mr. Peacocke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/mr_peacocke)

_rivalry_

The Bishop is a figure of authority who condemns Mr. Peacocke's marital situation, creating an adversarial relationship.

## In the story

### [The Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-i-iii-the-mystery)

Cautions Dr. Wortle about the rumors concerning Mr. Peacocke's past, suggesting that he should know something of his curate's life during the last five years.

### [IV: The Doctor Asks His Question](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-the-doctor-asks-his-question)

Is the instigator of the inquiry, having been influenced by 'old women' like Mrs. Stantiloup. The Doctor views his interference as gossipy and uncharitable.

### [The Bishop](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iv-xi-the-bishop)

Listens to Dr. Wortle's story with courtesy but expresses concern about the scandal and its effects on the school and parish.

### [The Stantiloup Correspondence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-iv-xii-the-stantiloup-correspondence)

Guarded in his response, avoids public declaration about the school.

### [Everybody's Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-ii-everybody-s-business)

Writes an affectionate but reproving letter to Dr. Wortle, warning him about scandal, and later invites him to the palace to discuss the matter.

### [III: “Amo in the Cool of the Evening”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/chapters/part-v-iii-amo-in-the-cool-of-the-evening)

His letter and the newspaper reference are central to the conflict; Dr. Wortle believes he made a mistake.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters/the_bishop
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dr_wortle_s_school_se/characters