The Cloven Foot · Character

Edward Clare

The vicar's son, a would-be poet with a den, a cigar, and a magnum opus always just out of reach, Edward once loved Laura and now studies John Treverton with quiet curiosity.

supporting

Also known as Mr. Clare, Edward Clare, Ned, Ted, Poor Edward, Dear Ned

First appearance: i the heir presumptive

As a supporting figure in The Cloven Foot, Edward Clare is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The vicar and Jasper Treverton's close friend, present at the reading and a trustee of the estate.

In the storyJasper Treverton's WillOpen this moment free

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In Jasper Treverton's Will: The vicar and Jasper Treverton's close friend, present at the reading and a trustee of the estate. Later, in A Disappointed Lover: Feels ill-used and disappointed as Laura restricts his…

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See Edward Clare in i the heir presumptive

Character Web

36 connections

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Relationship types

Romantic
Other

Character groups

Core cast and family
Extended cast and historical references
French conspirators and secrets
Protagonist

+31 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
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it marks the emotional peak where Laura’s trust and love are directl…

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Relationships

Laura Malcolm
romantic · ambivalent
Edward is a suitor to Laura, and their relationship is filled with romantic tension and… How this plays out →
Mrs. Treverton
psychological · negative
Celia Clare
family · ambivalent
La Chicot
rivalry · negative
Mr. Desrolles
rivalry · negative
Laura Malcolm
romantic · ambivalent
Edward is a suitor to Laura, and their relationship is filled with romantic tension and… How this plays out →
Celia Clare
family · ambivalent
Laura Malcolm
romantic · ambivalent
Edward is a suitor to Laura, and their relationship is filled with romantic tension and… How this plays out →
Mrs. Treverton
psychological · negative
Mrs. Treverton
psychological · negative
La Chicot
rivalry · negative
Celia Clare
family · ambivalent

Laura Malcolm
Edward is a suitor to Laura, and their relationship is filled with romantic tension and emotional intensity.
Mrs. Treverton
Edward is manipulated by Mrs. Treverton, who exerts control over his actions and affections for her own ends.
Celia Clare
Celia and Edward are siblings, sharing a close but sometimes strained bond due to family secrets.
La Chicot
Edward and La Chicot are antagonists, often clashing over secrets and loyalties within the household.
Mr. Desrolles
Edward and Mr. Desrolles are competitors, often at odds over business dealings and personal loyalties.
Laura Malcolm
Edward is a suitor to Laura, and their relationship is filled with romantic tension and emotional intensity.
Celia Clare
Celia and Edward are siblings, sharing a close but sometimes strained bond due to family secrets.
Laura Malcolm
Edward is a suitor to Laura, and their relationship is filled with romantic tension and emotional intensity.
Mrs. Treverton
Edward is manipulated by Mrs. Treverton, who exerts control over his actions and affections for her own ends.
Mrs. Treverton
Edward is manipulated by Mrs. Treverton, who exerts control over his actions and affections for her own ends.
La Chicot
Edward and La Chicot are antagonists, often clashing over secrets and loyalties within the household.
Celia Clare
Celia and Edward are siblings, sharing a close but sometimes strained bond due to family secrets.

Relationship notes

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

See Edward Clare in i the heir presumptive

In the story

Edward Clare appears across 26 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Jasper Treverton's Will
The vicar and Jasper Treverton's close friend, present at the reading and a trustee of the estate.
A Disappointed Lover
Feels ill-used and disappointed as Laura restricts his visits; had hoped to marry her and inherit Jasper Treverton's fortune.
A Disappointed Lover
The vicar persuades Laura to stay at the Manor House and discusses John Treverton's past and his son Edward's lack of direction.
VII: "A Little While Such Lips as Thine to Kiss"
Sneers at the conversation; described as effeminate and languid; shows jealousy as Treverton's rival.
IX: “And Art Thou Come! and Art Thou True!”
Recalled by Laura as having praised her beauty and used the phrase 'not my style.'
No Trousseau
Expresses a bad opinion of Mr. Treverton and doubts his motives; after Laura's rebuke, he leaves Hazlehurst for London to pursue literature.
Edward Clare Discovers a Likeness
Receives Celia's letter and later encounters Mr. Desrolles, learning about Jack Chicot's resemblance to someone from Hazlehurst.
The Church Near Camelot
Edward reacts bitterly to Celia's letter, feeling betrayed by Laura's happiness and his own failures.
XXI: Halcyon Days
Mentioned by Celia as being in London; Laura agrees to invite him to dinner.
A Village Iago
Edward discusses the Chicot murder, shows malice toward John Treverton, and later feigns friendship while visiting the Manor House.
XXIII: “In the Meanwhile the Skies ’Gan Rumble Sore”
Feigns contentment at the Vicarage but secretly harbors a deadly secret about John's past; hints to Celia that John is a scoundrel and plans to watch and wait.
XXIV: “And Purple Light Shone Over All”
Edward is mentioned as a possible performer at the party, reading an Ingoldsby legend.
The Children's Party
Performs a comic reading for the children, describes the suspicious man to Laura, and realizes the man is the same he saw with Chicot in Drury Lane.
XXVII: Desrolles Is Not Communicative
Edward Clare aggressively questions Desrolles about the identity of John Treverton and Chicot, vowing to find Chicot and see him punished for the murder of his wife.
Edward Clare Goes on a Voyage of Discovery
Driven by hatred and a sense of chivalrous duty, he plans to expose John Treverton's alleged bigamy and fraud.
George Gerard
Arranges a play in London and brings his friend George Gerard to stay at the Vicarage.
XXX: Thou Art the Man
Insists on exposing Treverton's secret, motivated by personal malice and his lost love for Laura.
XXXI: Why Don’t You Trust Me?
Revealed to know John's secret; Laura perceives him as a secret enemy.
On His Defence
Accuses Treverton of fraud and acting only under pressure; leaves the room after being rebuked by Laura.
On His Defence
Struggles with the moral implications but ultimately expresses belief in Treverton's innocence of murder.
George Gerard in Danger
Aloof and brooding; engages in literary discussion but remains distant during the moorland walk.
On a Voyage of Discovery
Mentioned as a source of malice against Treverton.
The Tenant from Beechampton
Laura fears him as her husband's enemy, believing his hatred could mean death. The Vicar dismisses this, but Laura trembles at his power to harm them.
The Tenant from Beechampton
The Vicar, who visits to comfort Laura. He is kind and gentle, but unable to fully grasp the depth of her fears. He reassures her that Edward will not use his knowledge against them.
Celia's Lovers
Discussed as Laura's enemy; Celia says he is brooding and unhappy over Laura's marriage.
Epilogue
Leaves for the Cape to learn ostrich farming, motivated by shame over his treachery.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Edward Clare unlock in the free preview.

See Edward Clare in i the heir presumptive

See Edward Clare in Jasper Treverton's Will