# Mark Robarts — Framley Parsonage character guide > Mark Robarts in Framley Parsonage by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** young Mark Robarts, Mark, the Rev. Mark Robarts, Mr. Robarts **First appearance:** 0001-ii-the-framley-set-and-the-chaldicotes-set ## Snapshot A handsome, well-connected young vicar launched into comfort by patronage, whose large capacities for good are matched by aptitudes for temptation he has never had to test. ## Who they are At twenty-five Mark Robarts has everything a clergyman could want: a living at Framley, a loving wife with a few thousand pounds, and Lady Lufton's formidable protection. Trollope is careful to say he is neither cherub nor devil — merely a man whose training has left him agreeable, ambitious, and insufficiently braced against flattery. When grander company than his own beckons, his desire to be liked by fashionable men becomes the crack through which real trouble enters the parsonage. ## Relationships ### [Nathaniel Sowerby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/nathaniel_sowerby) _psychological_ Sowerby manipulates and leads Mark into financial ruin through gambling and debt, acting as a corrupting influence. ### [Lord Lufton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/lord_lufton) _friendship_ Lifelong friends, with Lord Lufton often trying to rescue Mark from his financial and moral troubles. ### [Lucy Robarts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/lucy_robarts) _family_ Brother and sister, with Lucy deeply concerned about Mark's reckless behavior and financial woes. ### [Fanny Robarts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/fanny_robarts) _family_ Husband and wife, with Fanny enduring Mark's poor decisions while remaining loyal and anxious for his redemption. ### [Lady Lufton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/lady_lufton) _friendship_ Lady Lufton is a patron and maternal figure to Mark, though she is disappointed by his moral lapses. ### [Fanny Robarts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/fanny_robarts) _family_ Husband and wife, with Fanny enduring Mark's poor decisions while remaining loyal and anxious for his redemption. ### [Nathaniel Sowerby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/nathaniel_sowerby) _psychological_ Sowerby manipulates and leads Mark into financial ruin through gambling and debt, acting as a corrupting influence. ### [Lucy Robarts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/lucy_robarts) _family_ Brother and sister, with Lucy deeply concerned about Mark's reckless behavior and financial woes. ### [Nathaniel Sowerby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/nathaniel_sowerby) _psychological_ Sowerby manipulates and leads Mark into financial ruin through gambling and debt, acting as a corrupting influence. ### [Lord Lufton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/lord_lufton) _friendship_ Lifelong friends, with Lord Lufton often trying to rescue Mark from his financial and moral troubles. ### [Lord Lufton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/lord_lufton) _friendship_ Lifelong friends, with Lord Lufton often trying to rescue Mark from his financial and moral troubles. ### [Fanny Robarts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/fanny_robarts) _family_ Husband and wife, with Fanny enduring Mark's poor decisions while remaining loyal and anxious for his redemption. ## In the story ### [Omnes Omnia Bona Dicere](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/i-omnes-omnia-bona-dicere) The young vicar of Framley, recently married, whose early life and good fortune are detailed. ### [The Framley Set, and the Chaldicotes Set](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/ii-the-framley-set-and-the-chaldicotes-set) Mark has gone to Chaldicotes to join the party, including the bishop, despite knowing Lady Lufton will be annoyed. He avoids calling on her before leaving. ### [Chaldicotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/iii-chaldicotes) The vicar visits Chaldicotes, defends his intimacy with Sowerby to his conscience, and is tempted by the Duke of Omnium's invitation. ### [A Matter of Conscience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/iv-a-matter-of-conscience) Writes a letter to his wife justifying his decision to visit the Duke of Omnium, wrestling with his conscience and ambition. ### [Amantium Irae Amoris Integratio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/v-amantium-irae-amoris-integratio) Subject of the conflict; his letter to Fanny reveals his plans to visit the Duke of Omnium and his involvement in Lord Lufton's financial matters. ### [Mr. Harold Smith’s Lecture](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/vi-mr-harold-smith-s-lecture) Becomes more comfortable with Sowerby's schemes and participates in the banter about Harold Smith's lecture. ### [Sunday Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/vii-sunday-morning) Revises his sermon to avoid ridicule, feels uneasy about his worldly friendships, and is pressured by Mrs. Proudie. ### [Gatherum Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/viii-gatherum-castle) Receives Fanny's letter and money; travels to Gatherum Castle; reflects on Sowerby's dealings with Lord Lufton; feels uneasy about his friendship with Sowerby. ### [The Vicar's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/ix-the-vicar-s-return) Returns home from Chaldicotes, deeply troubled by signing the bill for Sowerby and resolves to economize. ### [X: Lucy Robarts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/x-lucy-robarts) Defends Lucy's quiet nature to Fanny, recalling that she was always quiet as a child. ### [XI: Griselda Grantly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xi-griselda-grantly) Mark is mentioned as having preached at Chaldicotes and visited Gatherum Castle, drawing Lady Lufton's disapproval. ### [The Little Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xii-the-little-bill) Struggles with the anxiety of his first signed bill, seeks advice from his brother and Mr. Forrest, and ultimately signs a second bill for £500 under Sowerby's pressure. ### [Mr. Crawley of Hogglestock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xiv-mr-crawley-of-hogglestock) Struggling with his conscience over hunting and his financial entanglement with Sowerby, tempted to buy the horse Dandy. ### [Lady Lufton's Ambassador](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xv-lady-lufton-s-ambassador) The vicar of Framley, confronted by Mr. Crawley about his hunting and worldly lifestyle. ### [The New Minister's Patronage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xviii-the-new-minister-s-patronage) Receives Sowerby's letter about the prebendal stall, discusses it with Fanny, informs Lady Lufton, and travels to London to pursue the appointment. ### [Money Dealings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xix-money-dealings) Struggles with guilt over accepting the prebendal stall and buying a horse from Sowerby, fearing accusations of simony. ### [The Triumph of the Giants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xxiii-the-triumph-of-the-giants) Is reminded by Sowerby of the benefit he received from the fallen ministry. ### [Impulsive](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xxvi-impulsive) Begins his prebendal duties in Barchester, absent from Framley during Lady Lufton's stay in London. ### [Salmon Fishing in Norway](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xxxi-salmon-fishing-in-norway) Confronted by Lord Lufton's proposal, he struggles with loyalty to Lady Lufton and his sister's happiness. ### [Consolation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xxxiii-consolation) Confronts Sowerby about the debt, resolves to tell Fanny everything, and vows never to sign another bill. ### [Lady Lufton Is Taken by Surprise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xxxiv-lady-lufton-is-taken-by-surprise) Reveals his debts to Fanny; does not cordially approve of the match with Lucy. ### [The Story of King Cophetua](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xxxv-the-story-of-king-cophetua) Present at the parsonage when Lucy returns, questions her about the interview, and is concerned for her well-being. ### [Kidnapping at Hogglestock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xxxvi-kidnapping-at-hogglestock) Drives the pony-carriage and assists Lucy in transporting the children to Framley. ### [Don Quixote](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xli-don-quixote) Receives a warning from the dean about a writ for his debts and consults a lawyer in Barchester. ### [Touching Pitch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xlii-touching-pitch) Receives Sowerby's letter, refuses to sign more bills, and wrestles with guilt over his debts and moral failings. ### [XLIV: The Philistines at the Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xliv-the-philistines-at-the-parsonage) Mark is humiliated by the bailiffs in his parsonage and deeply ashamed of the disgrace to his clerical position. He is speechless and tearful, but is rescued by Lord Lufton's intervention and promise to pay the debt. ### [Palace Blessings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xlv-palace-blessings) Subject of earlier rumors about debt and disgrace, which are quickly overshadowed by the news about Lord Dumbello. ### [Lady Lufton's Request](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xlvi-lady-lufton-s-request) Mark is invited to dinner by Lady Lufton, who insists on his attendance to celebrate the engagement. ### [Nemesis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/chapters/xlvii-nemesis) Subject of a damaging newspaper article criticizing his appointment to a prebendal stall and his financial troubles. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters/mark_robarts - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/framley_parsonage_se/characters