# Cardinal Carvale — Hadrian the Seventh character guide

> Cardinal Carvale in Hadrian the Seventh by Frederick Rolfe.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Carvale, O Carvale, little Carvale, Robert Carvale, Robert, Herbert

**First appearance:** 0009-vi

## Snapshot

The fantastic dreamer of the Sacred College, a young cardinal whose emotional declarations of eternal fidelity are met by Hadrian's cold, quoting brilliance.

## Who they are

Carvale approaches Hadrian in Greek, quoting Aischylos as a dodge, and gets back a Pope who caps his verses and then dissects the letter that prompted them. He is honest, blinking, easily moved—'Good honest innocent Leighton' is a different man, but Carvale shares that quality of being visibly stirred by the pontifical presence. His devotion matters because it shows what Hadrian inspires in the sincere: not policy but awe, and the painful gap between a flame-like Pope and the ordinary men who must warm themselves at it.

## In the story

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/viii)

Ejaculates about the newspapers when Whitehead mentions them.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/ix)

Brings Hadrian his spare spectacles after the Borgo Nuovo incident.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/x)

Supports Semphill's plea for Mary Queen of Scots, expressing emotional attachment to the Stewarts.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/xv)

Accompanies Hadrian to St. Andrew's College, discusses the college and Hadrian's past, and is reminded of his own student experiences.

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/xvii)

White with impatient indignation over the attack.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/xxii)

Mentions the Daily Anagraph's lack of apology and is corrected by Hadrian.

### [XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/chapters/xxiv)

Describes the sovereigns as radiating from Hadrian; administers absolution and the sacrament of the dying.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters/cardinal_carvale
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hadrian_the_seventh_se/characters