# Captain Archibald Clavering — The Claverings character guide

> Captain Archibald Clavering in The Claverings by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Archie, Captain Clavering, Captain Archie

**First appearance:** 0010-xi-sir-hugh-and-his-brother-archie

## Snapshot

Harry's spendthrift brother, a cavalry captain with debts and no shame, dispatched by Sir Hugh to court the wealthy Lady Ongar.

## Who they are

Captain Archie Clavering lives on his brother's charity, ringing bells and minding horses at Clavering Park while dodging his creditors in town. When Lady Ongar's fortune makes her the family's most valuable prospect, Sir Hugh pushes Archie to propose before the season's competition arrives. His clumsy, self-interested courtship — and his total misreading of Julia's character — turns him into the novel's comic engine and a foil to Harry's more genuine, if weaker, claims on her heart.

## In the story

### [Julia Brabazon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/i-julia-brabazon)

Mentioned as Sir Hugh's brother, fond of pleasure and money, part of the Clavering family.

### [Lady Ongar's Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/v-lady-ongar-s-return)

Mentioned as Julia's brother-in-law; Harry notes that Julia never liked him.

### [XI: Sir Hugh and His Brother Archie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xi-sir-hugh-and-his-brother-archie)

Praises Florence's looks, discusses Harry's career change, and is proposed as a husband for Julia.

### [Let Her Know That You're There](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xvii-let-her-know-that-you-re-there)

Weighs himself and finds he is too light; seeks advice from Captain Boodle on how to court Lady Ongar for her fortune.

### [Captain Clavering Makes His First Attempt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xviii-captain-clavering-makes-his-first-attempt)

Makes his first attempt to court Lady Ongar, but is awkward and unsuccessful.

### [XX: Desolation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xx-desolation)

Present with Sir Hugh when the rector visits; makes a trite remark about grass being cut down.

### [Yes; Wrong;—Certainly Wrong](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxi-yes-wrong-certainly-wrong)

Discussed as the likely heir after the death of little Hughy; Julia speculates on his marriage prospects.

### [The Russian Spy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxiv-the-russian-spy)

Archie plots to bribe Madame Gordeloup to help him win Lady Ongar, and visits her in Mount Street with a bribe of fifty pounds.

### [XXV: “What Would Men Say of You?”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxv-what-would-men-say-of-you)

Reveals Harry's engagement to Sophie Gordeloup, providing her with information to use against Lady Ongar.

### [Doodles in Mount Street](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxx-doodles-in-mount-street)

Archie pays Doodles thirty pounds to negotiate with Sophie Gordeloup on his behalf, having failed in his own efforts.

### [Parting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxv-parting)

Mentioned as accompanying Sir Hugh on the Norway trip.

### [Captain Clavering Makes His Last Attempt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxvi-captain-clavering-makes-his-last-attempt)

Makes his last attempt to propose to Lady Ongar, is firmly rejected, and reluctantly agrees to join the yachting trip to Norway.

### [XXXVIII: How to Dispose of a Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxviii-how-to-dispose-of-a-wife)

Assists Sir Hugh with preparations; admits to proposing to Lady Ongar and being refused.

### [Farewell to Doodles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xxxix-farewell-to-doodles)

Spends his last day in London with Doodles, discussing his failed proposal to Lady Ongar and the upcoming yachting trip.

### [XLV: Is She Mad?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/chapters/xlv-is-she-mad)

Lady Ongar feels a slight tenderness for Archie upon hearing of his death, remembering his foolishness and his past profession of love for her.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters/archibald_clavering
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_claverings_se/characters