Hadrian the Seventh · Character

George Semphill

An Oxford-educated priest with a small patrimony and a dry wit, raised unexpectedly to the cardinal-diaconate by Hadrian's first consistory.

supporting

Also known as Mr. George Semphill, Semphill, Mr. Semphill, Cardinal Semphill, Δ. Semphill

First appearance: ii

As a supporting figure in Hadrian the Seventh, George Semphill is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Asserts that if the temporal power is worth having, it is worth fighting for, citing General Lord Ralph Kerrison's offer to enlist in the pontifical army.

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Semphill had quietly arranged his will in favour of the archdiocese of St. Gowff's, expecting to end his days there in comfortable obscurity, when the new Pope's allocution — with its 'tops-i'-th'-turfy straightforwardness' — delighted him and upended his plans. His sincere pleasure in Hadrian's literary quality and blunt honesty marks him as one of the few cardinals who appreciates the Pope as a person rather than merely obeying him as an office. As a cardinal-deacon of St. Mary-in-Broad Street, he becomes part of the inner circle that must translate Hadrian's startling intentions into the Church's daily machinery.

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See George Semphill in ii

Character Web

39 connections

A slice of how George Semphill sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Family
Professional
Other

Character groups

Papal court and allies
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Closing

In this scene, Hadrian reaches an emotional and psychological peak by violently rejecting his own past efforts…

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Relationships

George Arthur Rose
family · negative
Brothers with a strained relationship, often at odds due to differing temperaments and… How this plays out →
Pope Leo
professional · positive
Victor Emanuel
professional · positive
Victor Emanuel
professional · positive
Pope Leo
professional · positive
George Arthur Rose
family · negative
Brothers with a strained relationship, often at odds due to differing temperaments and… How this plays out →
Pope Leo
professional · positive

George Arthur Rose
Brothers with a strained relationship, often at odds due to differing temperaments and loyalties.
Pope Leo
Allies in Church politics, working together to maintain traditional power structures.
Victor Emanuel
A political alliance, with Semphill serving as a confidant or agent for Victor Emanuel.
Victor Emanuel
A political alliance, with Semphill serving as a confidant or agent for Victor Emanuel.
Pope Leo
Allies in Church politics, working together to maintain traditional power structures.
George Arthur Rose
Brothers with a strained relationship, often at odds due to differing temperaments and loyalties.
Pope Leo
Allies in Church politics, working together to maintain traditional power structures.

Relationship notes

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See George Semphill in ii

In the story

George Semphill appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VIII
Asserts that if the temporal power is worth having, it is worth fighting for, citing General Lord Ralph Kerrison's offer to enlist in the pontifical army.
Chapter X
Argues with Carvale for the imposition of the Proper Office of Mary Queen of Scots on England, presenting historical claims.
XIII
Accompanies Hadrian on a walk, discusses literature, and entertains embassy secretaries.
XVII
Red with impatient indignation over the attack.
XX
Threatens to send an authentic copy of consistory acts to newspapers.
XXII
Interjects nervously during Hadrian's statement, expressing belief in his words.

Chapter companion notes

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See George Semphill in ii

See George Semphill in VIII