The Council of Justice · Character

Lauder Bartholomew

A masked witness in a tightly fitted frock coat, Bartholomew calmly claims equal guilt with Manfred and dares the court to doubt the Four Just Men's justice.

major

Also known as Bartholomew, Justice Lauder Bartholomew, Captain Bartholomew

First appearance: i the red hundred

As a major figure in The Council of Justice, Lauder Bartholomew is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Ex-captain of Irregular Cavalry, now a member of the Inner Council of the Red Hundred.

In the storyIV: The Red BeanOpen this moment free

Bartholomew steps into the witness box masked, confesses membership in the Four Just Men, and testifies that a commission of jurists endorsed their killings as worthy of death. His loyalty is absolute and unsettling: he says he would believe Manfred's denial over his own certainty. Whether he is a judge, an adventurer, or both, his testimony gives the vigilantes a legal conscience and raises the question of how far a man may go to serve justice.

See Lauder Bartholomew in IV: The Red Bean Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

11 connections

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

Relationship types

Rivalry
Psychological
Other

Character groups

Red Hundred and Investigators
Protagonist

+6 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

Manfred’s emotional and psychological peak occurs in his moment of weary reaction, where he acknowledges that…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Rudulph Starque
rivalry · negative
Bartholomew is a key member of Manfred's council and a direct antagonist to Starque,… How this plays out →
The Woman of Gratz
psychological · negative
The Woman of Gratz
psychological · negative
The Woman of Gratz
psychological · negative
Rudulph Starque
rivalry · negative
Bartholomew is a key member of Manfred's council and a direct antagonist to Starque,… How this plays out →
Rudulph Starque
rivalry · negative
Bartholomew is a key member of Manfred's council and a direct antagonist to Starque,… How this plays out →

Rudulph Starque
Bartholomew is a key member of Manfred's council and a direct antagonist to Starque, often clashing with him in their war of wits and violence.
The Woman of Gratz
Bartholomew is both fascinated and repelled by the Woman of Gratz, recognizing her as a dangerous manipulator who threatens his group.
The Woman of Gratz
Bartholomew is both fascinated and repelled by the Woman of Gratz, recognizing her as a dangerous manipulator who threatens his group.
The Woman of Gratz
Bartholomew is both fascinated and repelled by the Woman of Gratz, recognizing her as a dangerous manipulator who threatens his group.
Rudulph Starque
Bartholomew is a key member of Manfred's council and a direct antagonist to Starque, often clashing with him in their war of wits and violence.
Rudulph Starque
Bartholomew is a key member of Manfred's council and a direct antagonist to Starque, often clashing with him in their war of wits and violence.

Relationship notes

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

See Lauder Bartholomew in i the red hundred

In the story

Lauder Bartholomew appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

IV: The Red Bean
Ex-captain of Irregular Cavalry, now a member of the Inner Council of the Red Hundred. He is a liar and mercenary, having fabricated his background and exploited the organization for money. He receives the red and black beans and later panics when a bomb is discovered.
The Council of Justice
Plans to flee to Uganda, is coerced by the Four Just Men into becoming their informant, learns of Red Hundred plots, and meets Menshikoff.
Princess Revolutionary
Pleads with the Woman of Gratz to escape with him, is accused of betrayal by Starque, and is executed by Starque and François.
VII: The Government and Mr. Jessen
Found dead at Carlby Mansions, identified as one of the victims of the Four Just Men.
IX: The Four vs. the Hundred
Not directly present, but referenced as part of the Red Hundred's leadership.
The Execution
Mentioned indirectly through Manfred's reference to Starque; not present in the chapter.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Lauder Bartholomew unlock in the free preview.

See Lauder Bartholomew in i the red hundred

See Lauder Bartholomew in IV: The Red Bean