Something New · Character

Lord Emsworth

The dreamy, absent-minded Earl of Blandings, happiest among his gardens and weeds, who leaves his guests to fend for themselves.

supporting

Also known as Emsworth, the absentminded Lord Emsworth, the Earl of Emsworth, Earl of Emsworth

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in Something New, Lord Emsworth is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Freddie's father, who is pleased about Freddie's engagement to Aline Peters and agrees to host George Emerson at Blandings.

In the storyChapter IIOpen this moment free

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Lord Emsworth belongs to the school of hosts who prefer to be left alone to amuse themselves, pottering about the garden in an old coat while his guests grumble on the terraces. His placid detachment — he cannot imagine anyone unhappy at Blandings when the buds are bursting — makes him comically oblivious to the romantic and financial storms brewing under his roof. His inability to manage his son Freddie or his household sets the chaotic stage on which the novel's schemers operate.

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See Lord Emsworth in i

Character Web

19 connections

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

Relationship types

Professional
Social
Family
Other

Character groups

Main Cast & Key Players
Minor Cast & Background Figures

+14 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak where Freddie’s desperate an…

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Relationships

Rupert Baxter
professional · negative
Baxter is Lord Emsworth's secretary, a formal employer-employee relationship with tension. How this plays out →
J. Preston Peters
social · ambivalent
Freddie Threepwood
family · ambivalent
Ashe Marson
social · positive
Freddie Threepwood
family · ambivalent
Ashe Marson
social · positive
J. Preston Peters
social · ambivalent
J. Preston Peters
social · ambivalent
Rupert Baxter
professional · negative
Baxter is Lord Emsworth's secretary, a formal employer-employee relationship with tension. How this plays out →
Rupert Baxter
professional · negative
Baxter is Lord Emsworth's secretary, a formal employer-employee relationship with tension. How this plays out →
Freddie Threepwood
family · ambivalent
Ashe Marson
social · positive

Rupert Baxter
Baxter is Lord Emsworth's secretary, a formal employer-employee relationship with tension.
J. Preston Peters
They are fellow aristocrats and acquaintances, with Peters visiting Emsworth's estate.
Freddie Threepwood
Freddie is Lord Emsworth's son, a father-son relationship marked by mild conflict.
Ashe Marson
They are host and guest, with Ashe staying at Emsworth's estate as a visitor.
Freddie Threepwood
Freddie is Lord Emsworth's son, a father-son relationship marked by mild conflict.
Ashe Marson
They are host and guest, with Ashe staying at Emsworth's estate as a visitor.
J. Preston Peters
They are fellow aristocrats and acquaintances, with Peters visiting Emsworth's estate.
J. Preston Peters
They are fellow aristocrats and acquaintances, with Peters visiting Emsworth's estate.
Rupert Baxter
Baxter is Lord Emsworth's secretary, a formal employer-employee relationship with tension.
Rupert Baxter
Baxter is Lord Emsworth's secretary, a formal employer-employee relationship with tension.
Freddie Threepwood
Freddie is Lord Emsworth's son, a father-son relationship marked by mild conflict.
Ashe Marson
They are host and guest, with Ashe staying at Emsworth's estate as a visitor.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Lord Emsworth in i

In the story

Lord Emsworth appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter II
Freddie's father, who is pleased about Freddie's engagement to Aline Peters and agrees to host George Emerson at Blandings.
III
Lord Emsworth dines at the Senior Conservative Club, chats with Adams about Mr. Peters and the engagement, and is observed in his absent-minded manner.
V
Mentioned as the owner of Blandings Castle and brother of Lady Ann Warblington.
VII
The absentminded host who neglects his guests, preferring to potter in the garden.
Chapter VIII
Lord Emsworth firmly ends the dinner scene by ordering everyone to bed, showing his disapproval of Baxter's behavior.
Chapter IX
Lord Emsworth is present during Baxter's search, pottering about and eventually chuckling at Baxter's sooty face.
The Missing Scarab
Informs Mr. Peters about the stolen scarab and is relieved by his magnanimous reaction.
XII
Sits by Freddie's sick bed, shows tenderness, and decides to renew Freddie's allowance and let him return to London.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Lord Emsworth unlock in the free preview.

See Lord Emsworth in i

See Lord Emsworth in Chapter II