# Charles Egremont — Sybil character guide > Charles Egremont in Sybil by Benjamin Disraeli. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Egremont, Mr. Egremont, Charley, Charles, Honourable Charles Egremont **First appearance:** 0004-i ## Snapshot A younger son of the aristocracy who drifts toward reform, then finds his convictions tested by a letter that pulls him out of a ballroom and into a life he never expected. ## Who they are Egremont is watched by the drawing rooms as a man who might go Liberal — a suspicion confirmed by his breakfasts with Mr. Trenchard and his earnest talk with Lord John Russell. He is generous, impulsive, and dangerously susceptible, raised to have everything and never taught to want anything worth having. The letter that agitates him in the hall is the hinge on which his old life begins to swing shut. ## Relationships ### [Sybil Gerard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters/sybil_gerard) _romantic_ Charles is deeply in love with Sybil, and their relationship is the central romantic arc of the novel, bridging class divides. ### [Lord Marney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters/lord_marney) _family_ Charles Egremont is the younger brother of Lord Marney, and their relationship is strained by political and personal differences. ### [Stephen Morley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters/stephen_morley) _rivalry_ Charles and Stephen are romantic rivals for Sybil's affection, and their political views also clash. ### [Sybil Gerard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters/sybil_gerard) _romantic_ Charles is deeply in love with Sybil, and their relationship is the central romantic arc of the novel, bridging class divides. ### [Sybil Gerard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters/sybil_gerard) _romantic_ Charles is deeply in love with Sybil, and their relationship is the central romantic arc of the novel, bridging class divides. ### [Lord Marney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters/lord_marney) _family_ Charles Egremont is the younger brother of Lord Marney, and their relationship is strained by political and personal differences. ### [Stephen Morley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters/stephen_morley) _rivalry_ Charles and Stephen are romantic rivals for Sybil's affection, and their political views also clash. ### [Lord Marney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters/lord_marney) _family_ Charles Egremont is the younger brother of Lord Marney, and their relationship is strained by political and personal differences. ### [Stephen Morley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters/stephen_morley) _rivalry_ Charles and Stephen are romantic rivals for Sybil's affection, and their political views also clash. ## In the story ### [Sybil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/sybil) A young aristocrat who becomes aware of the deep social divides. ### [Book I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/book-i) Introduced as the younger son of the Earl of Marney, a man of liberal sympathies who is disillusioned with his family's aristocratic lifestyle. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/i) Introduced as a tall, graceful young man, popular among his peers, engaged in betting on the Derby. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ii) Egremont is present at the Derby, anxious about his bet on Phosphorus and consulting his book. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/iv) Breakfasts with his mother, learns of the king's impending death and his mother's plan for him to stand for Parliament. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/v) The chapter focuses on Egremont's upbringing, education, inheritance, romantic disappointment, travels, and return to England. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vi) Egremont is personally invested in the political uncertainty, consulting his mother about the king's health and pondering his election returns. ### [Chapter I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/i) Returns to Marney after travels and election; engages in dinner conversation about politics and the Poor Law. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ii) Engages in conversation with Sir Vavasour Firebrace about politics and the baronet cause. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/iii) Mentioned as having arrived at the Abbey the previous morning, though not directly present in the town scene. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/iv) Returns to the Abbey ruins and muses on the hard times for the poor and the changes in England. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/v) Engages in philosophical conversation with the strangers about monasticism and society. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vi) Discusses his election debts with his brother Lord Marney, who proposes a marriage to Lady Joan Fitz-Warene to secure his position. ### [Chapter XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xi) Engages in conversation with Lady Maud about monastic architecture and the church's influence on the people. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xii) Expresses interest in Christian architecture and engages in theological discussion with Mr. St. Lys. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xiv) Accompanies Mr. St. Lys to the Warner home, disguised as a companion, and speaks with Sybil about Marney Abbey and the condition of the people. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xv) Seated beside Lady Joan at dinner, pensive and distracted by thoughts of other matters. ### [Chapter XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xvi) Disguised as Franklin, he reveals his background as a younger son working in the press, and becomes increasingly captivated by Sybil Gerard and the ideas of the working class. ### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/book-iii) Aristocrat increasingly drawn into the world of the working class and Sybil. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ii) Muses over Sybil Gerard, argues fiercely with his brother Lord Marney about election expenses and the misery of the poor, and ultimately vanishes after the confrontation. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/v) Visits the Gerards under the alias Mr. Franklin; is drawn to Sybil and reveals his interest in her name. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vi) Egremont enjoys the morning, reflects on his new life, and walks with Sybil, expressing his desire to learn about the people's condition. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/viii) Accompanies Sybil to Trafford's factory; withdraws from the aristocratic party; learns from Gerard about Lord de Mowbray's disputed title. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ix) Disguised as Franklin; introduced to Morley as a reporter; praises Mr. Trafford's model village as a means to revive domestic feeling. ### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/x) Receives urgent letter from his mother, must leave Mowedale; bids farewell to Sybil and Gerard; attacked in the mist but rescued by Harold. ### [Book IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/book-iv) Egremont continues his involvement in political reform and his deepening relationship with Sybil. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ii) Visits his mother at Deloraine House and discusses his birthday gift. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/iii) Enters the conversation, reveals he knows Mr. Trenchard well, and challenges the ladies' assumptions about social influence. ### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/v) Honourable member of Parliament, receives the delegates in his library after their visit to Lord Valentine. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vi) Accompanies Sybil home, ponders how to reveal his true identity, reflects on the Abbey and its history. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/viii) Reveals his true identity as the brother of Lord Marney and explains his motives for using a false name. ### [Chapter IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ix) Appears at the meeting, is recognized by Morley, and bids farewell to Sybil after a brief exchange. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xv) Egremont reveals his noble identity and passionately declares his love for Sybil, arguing that the new generation of aristocracy is changing and that he is not an oppressor. He is deeply moved and persistent despite her refusal. ### [Book V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/book-v) Egremont is involved in political discussions and continues his relationship with Sybil. ### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/i) His speech in Parliament is read by Sybil; he defends the rights of labor and social happiness. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ii) Meets Sybil after a committee meeting; speaks tenderly and tries to reassure her; shares his optimistic vision for England's political future. ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/iv) Egremont is mentioned as having warned Sybil about her father's danger; Morley accuses him of being a spy and a traitor. ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/vii) Attends the ball at Deloraine House; receives a mysterious letter that greatly agitates him, then has a private conversation with Lord John Russell. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/viii) The recipient of Sybil's desperate letter from Bow Street, though he does not appear in the chapter. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ix) Disguised in a white greatcoat and slouched hat, he secures Sybil's release and brings her home, where they share an emotional embrace. ### [Book VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/book-vi) Egremont reveals his true identity to Sybil and Gerard, deepening his personal and political entanglement. ### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/ii) Melancholy and reserved after five years; still loves Sybil hopelessly; commands a troop in his brother's yeomanry regiment. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xii) Rescues Sybil from drunken ruffians, declaring they will never part again. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/chapters/xiii) Takes custody of the box of papers, comforts Lady Marney, marries Sybil, and becomes Earl of Marney. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters/charles_egremont - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sybil_se/characters