# Judge Staveley — Orley Farm character guide

> Judge Staveley in Orley Farm by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the judge, Staveley

**First appearance:** 0018-xix-the-staveley-family

## Snapshot

The genial judge of Noningsby, whose household of marriageable daughters and easy hospitality quietly sets the novel's romantic machinery turning.

## Who they are

Judge Staveley is a respected man of law whose country house at Noningsby becomes a stage where suitors, wards, and legal gossip all cross paths. His wife, Lady Staveley, manages the domestic diplomacy — receiving Peregrine Orme's abrupt proposal, weighing Felix Graham's odd prospects — while the judge himself embodies the professional world the Orley Farm trial will eventually command. His family's drawing room is where the novel's private hopes and public reputations first begin to tangle.

## Relationships

### [Felix Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/characters/felix_graham)

_professional_

Judge Staveley is Felix Graham's mentor and employer, guiding his legal career while disapproving of his romantic entanglements.

### [Felix Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/characters/felix_graham)

_professional_

Judge Staveley is Felix Graham's mentor and employer, guiding his legal career while disapproving of his romantic entanglements.

### [Felix Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/characters/felix_graham)

_professional_

Judge Staveley is Felix Graham's mentor and employer, guiding his legal career while disapproving of his romantic entanglements.

## In the story

### [The English von Bauhr](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xviii-the-english-von-bauhr)

Makes an elegant and eloquent speech at the Birmingham congress.

### [The Staveley Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xix-the-staveley-family)

Hosts the Christmas party at Noningsby, suggests offering Lady Mason countenance, and comments on the legal difficulties of a libel action.

### [Breaking Covert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xxix-breaking-covert)

Dismounts and crosses the fence to assist Felix; gets wet feet in the process.

### [The Gem of the Four Families](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xlvii-the-gem-of-the-four-families)

Decides Graham should stay longer, discusses the matter with his wife and son, and later questions his daughter about her feelings.

### [The Angel of Light Under a Cloud](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/xlviii-the-angel-of-light-under-a-cloud)

Visits Felix in his room, invites him to the drawing-room, and discusses the Orley Farm case, offering Felix a place on the defense team.

### [Showing How Things Went on at Noningsby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/lii-showing-how-things-went-on-at-noningsby)

Approves Graham's legal work and responds to his romantic confession with a three-month delay.

### [LVIII: Miss Staveley Declines to Eat Minced Veal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/lviii-miss-staveley-declines-to-eat-minced-veal)

Returns to Noningsby and takes Madeline for a walk, revealing that Felix Graham wrote a notable article and discussing her feelings.

### [LXV: Felix Graham Returns to Noningsby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/lxv-felix-graham-returns-to-noningsby)

Gives Felix permission to address Madeline, discusses the match with Lady Staveley, and avoids discussing Lady Mason's case, causing Felix concern.

### [Young Lochinvar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/chapters/lxxiv-young-lochinvar)

Is aware of Felix's intentions and approves.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/characters/judge_staveley
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/orley_farm_se/characters