# Barrington Erle — Phineas Redux character guide > Barrington Erle in Phineas Redux by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Ratler, Barrington, Ratler, Erle, Mr. Erle **First appearance:** 0004-v-mr-daubeny-s-great-move ## Snapshot A Liberal whip who knows every seat, every favour, and every man's price, and who would rather manage a party than save a friend. ## Who they are Barrington Erle moves through clubs and lobbies as the party's quiet machinery, arranging dinners, pairing votes, and measuring men by their usefulness. His friendship with Phineas Finn is genuine but bounded by political calculation, and he is quick to report that the man who once faced a murder trial may never enter The Universe again. He matters because he embodies the world Phineas must re-enter, where loyalty is a commodity and a ruined reputation is a card still to be played. ## Relationships ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/phineas_finn) _professional_ Barrington Erle is a political colleague and party whip who works closely with Phineas, often helping him navigate parliamentary affairs. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/phineas_finn) _professional_ Barrington Erle is a political colleague and party whip who works closely with Phineas, often helping him navigate parliamentary affairs. ### [Phineas Finn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/phineas_finn) _professional_ Barrington Erle is a political colleague and party whip who works closely with Phineas, often helping him navigate parliamentary affairs. ## In the story ### [Temptation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/i-temptation) A Liberal party organizer who writes to Phineas encouraging him to stand for election at Tankerville. ### [Temptation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/i-temptation) A Liberal whip who doubts Phineas will leave his permanent place for Parliament. ### [Harrington Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/ii-harrington-hall) Provides Phineas with news about Mr. Kennedy's isolated life. ### [Harrington Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/ii-harrington-hall) Discourages Phineas about his chances at Tankerville, citing Browborough's strength. ### [Tankerville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/iv-tankerville) Mentioned as a party figure to whom Phineas writes explaining his need to take up Church disendowment. ### [Mr. Daubeny’s Great Move](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/v-mr-daubeny-s-great-move) Expresses dismay and fear over Daubeny's move, calling it taking the bread out of their mouths. ### [Phineas and His Old Friends](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/vi-phineas-and-his-old-friends) Mentioned in Lady Laura's letter as writing that Phineas will likely get the seat. ### [The Address](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/viii-the-address) Thinks the whole Liberal party should oppose the measure; desires a chivalric defence of the Church, believing in a twenty-year lifespan for the establishment. ### [The Debate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/ix-the-debate) Referred to as Ratler; whispers about Mr. Monk's alignment and laments the party's disarray. ### [I Have Got the Seat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xiii-i-have-got-the-seat) Congratulates Phineas on his luck and warns him about voting against the party on the Church matter. ### [Phineas Again in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xx-phineas-again-in-london) Discusses party strategy with Phineas, urging him to vote against Daubeny's Church Bill. ### [The Duke and Duchess in Town](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxi-the-duke-and-duchess-in-town) Discusses the Duke's adjustment to his new role with Mr. Ratler, expressing confidence in the Duke's character. ### [The World Becomes Cold](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxii-the-world-becomes-cold) Reassures Phineas about his speaking opportunity but later criticizes him for getting into 'messes'. ### [The Two Gladiators](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-two-gladiators) Referenced indirectly as 'Ratler,' the Liberal whip, working to keep members in their seats. ### [The Universe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-universe) Mentioned as one of the party managers who knows Phineas is safe. ### [Seventy-Two](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxvi-seventy-two) Says a few good-natured words to Phineas after the speech. ### [Once Again in Portman Square](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxviii-once-again-in-portman-square) Mentioned as someone Lady Laura wants to speak to on Phineas's behalf; expected to visit soon. ### [Cagliostro](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xxxix-cagliostro) Comments to Bonteen that Daubeny was 'very great' but the party is broken up. ### [The Browborough Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xliv-the-browborough-trial) Referred to as Mr. Ratler; discusses the trial with Mr. Roby, glad of the acquittal. ### [The Quarrel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xlvi-the-quarrel) Expresses regret that Phineas is not at his old post at the Colonies; tries to calm the quarrel at the club. ### [What Came of the Quarrel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xlvii-what-came-of-the-quarrel) Discusses the evidence with Fitzgibbon and accompanies him to Bow Street. ### [XLIX: Showing What Mrs. Bunce Said to the Policeman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/xlix-showing-what-mrs-bunce-said-to-the-policeman) Present at Bow Street; testifies about events at the club and door, corroborating Phineas's account. ### [What the Lords and Commons Said About the Murder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/l-what-the-lords-and-commons-said-about-the-murder) Tells his story repeatedly; summoned by the Duchess of Omnium to discuss Finn's case. ### [Phineas in Prison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lv-phineas-in-prison) Accompanies Lady Laura to the prison; arranges the visit and attempts to provide financial assistance, but believes Phineas guilty. ### [LXI: The Beginning of the Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxi-the-beginning-of-the-trial) Reports to the Duchess on the trial proceedings, noting Phineas's appearance and the jury selection process. ### [Mr. Chaffanbrass for the Defence](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxiii-mr-chaffanbrass-for-the-defence) A political ally who testifies as a character witness for Phineas on the fifth day of the trial. ### [Phineas After the Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxviii-phineas-after-the-trial) Visits Phineas; moves for a new writ for Tankerville. ### [Phineas Finn Returns to His Duties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxiii-phineas-finn-returns-to-his-duties) Attempts to persuade Phineas to resume his seat in Parliament. ### [At Matching](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxiv-at-matching) Discusses Laurence Fitzgibbon's marriage and Phineas's avoidance of The Universe. ### [Phineas Finn's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxvii-phineas-finn-s-success) Writes to Lady Laura expressing concern that Phineas might refuse the offer; described as a true friend. ### [The Last Visit to Saulsby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-last-visit-to-saulsby) Discussed as a subordinate in office who enjoys political arrangements but lacks ambition for the Cabinet. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters/barrington_erle - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/phineas_redux_se/characters