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The History of Henry Esmond · Character

Francis Atterbury

A bishop and Jacobite conspirator involved in plots against the crown.

minor

Also known as Mr. Atterbury, Atterbury, Bishop Atterbury, the Dean

First appearance: We Entertain a Very Distinguished Guest at Kensington

Francis Atterbury shows up with force in XIV: We Ride After Him to London. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Attends the dying Lord Castlewood, takes his confession, and agrees to bear the news to Castlewood.
In the storyXIV: We Ride After Him to LondonOpen this moment free

Francis Atterbury first appears in 0044 x we entertain a very distinguished guest at kensington.

In XIV: We Ride After Him to London: Attends the dying Lord Castlewood, takes his confession, and agrees to bear the news to Castlewood.

Later, in VI: Poor Beatrix: Dean who visits Lady Castlewood to offer spiritual comfort; deeply affected by the tragedy.

See Francis Atterbury in XIV: We Ride After Him to LondonBook page

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Character Web

26 connections

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

SJSir John FenwickLSLord StairRSRichard SteeleDODuke of HamiltonTEThomas EsmondFAFrancis Atterbury

Relationship types

  • Other

Character groups

  • Castlewood Family & Circle
  • Military & Political Figures

+21 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

SetupEscalationAftermathClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak of Esmond's lifelong…

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In the story

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

Chapter companion notes

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See Francis Atterbury in We Entertain a Very Distinguished Guest at Kensington
See Francis Atterbury in XIV: We Ride After Him to London