# Archdeacon Grantly — The Last Chronicle of Barset character guide > Archdeacon Grantly in The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Archdeacon, the Grantly, Dr. Grantly **First appearance:** 0002-iii-the-archdeacon-s-threat ## Snapshot The formidable Archdeacon of Barchester, whose iron will and social pride collide with his son's determination to marry beneath him. ## Who they are Dr. Grantly commands respect and obedience in equal measure, a man of wealth and ecclesiastical authority whose sense of propriety governs every judgment. When his son Major Grantly insists on marrying Grace Crawley—daughter of a clergyman accused of theft—the archdeacon draws a hard line, threatening disinheritance and refusing to receive her. His stubbornness forces a painful reckoning between paternal love and social ambition, making him both obstacle and emotional center of the novel's central conflict. ## Relationships ### [Mr. Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/mr_crawley) _rivalry_ Archdeacon Grantly initially opposes Mr. Crawley due to pride and prejudice, but later shows grudging respect. ### [Major Grantly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/major_grantly) _family_ Archdeacon Grantly is the stern, proud father of Major Grantly, disapproving of his son's choice to marry Grace Crawley. ### [Mrs. Proudie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/mrs_proudie) _rivalry_ Archdeacon Grantly and Mrs. Proudie are fierce ecclesiastical rivals, constantly clashing over church authority. ### [Major Grantly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/major_grantly) _family_ Archdeacon Grantly is the stern, proud father of Major Grantly, disapproving of his son's choice to marry Grace Crawley. ### [Mrs. Proudie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/mrs_proudie) _rivalry_ Archdeacon Grantly and Mrs. Proudie are fierce ecclesiastical rivals, constantly clashing over church authority. ### [Mr. Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/mr_crawley) _rivalry_ Archdeacon Grantly initially opposes Mr. Crawley due to pride and prejudice, but later shows grudging respect. ### [Mrs. Proudie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/mrs_proudie) _rivalry_ Archdeacon Grantly and Mrs. Proudie are fierce ecclesiastical rivals, constantly clashing over church authority. ### [Mr. Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/mr_crawley) _rivalry_ Archdeacon Grantly initially opposes Mr. Crawley due to pride and prejudice, but later shows grudging respect. ## In the story ### [By Heavens He Had Better Not!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/ii-by-heavens-he-had-better-not) Furious at the prospect of his son marrying Grace Crawley, he threatens to cut off his income and refuses to receive the couple. ### [III: The Archdeacon's Threat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/iii-the-archdeacon-s-threat) Confronts his son about Grace Crawley, threatens to stop his income, and is deeply unhappy about the potential marriage. ### [What the World Thought About It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/v-what-the-world-thought-about-it) Fears that his son's intended marriage to Grace Crawley will bring disgrace; believes Mr. Crawley is guilty and worries about the impact on his own prosperity and reputation. ### [Dinner at Framley Court](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/x-dinner-at-framley-court) Dines at Framley Court, uses strong language against Mrs. Proudie, and argues that a Barchester jury will acquit Mr. Crawley due to public sentiment. ### [The Bishop Sends His Inhibition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xi-the-bishop-sends-his-inhibition) Mentioned as a partisan opponent; Mrs. Proudie regards him as an emanation from Satan. ### [Major Grantly Consults a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xiv-major-grantly-consults-a-friend) Writes to his son expressing pity for Mr. Crawley and indirectly discouraging any connection with the family. ### [Mr. Robarts on His Embassy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxi-mr-robarts-on-his-embassy) Referenced as the source of the advice Mr. Robarts conveys; his judgment is discussed but rejected by Crawley. ### [Major Grantly at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxii-major-grantly-at-home) Pressures his son by hinting at disinheritance if he marries Grace Crawley. ### [Mr. Toogood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxxii-mr-toogood) His advice to seek legal aid was rejected by Mr. Crawley; mentioned in the context of Mr. Robarts's visit. ### [The Plumstead Foxes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-plumstead-foxes) Furious at his son's intention to marry Grace Crawley, he threatens disinheritance and refuses to intervene in fox-trapping matters. ### [Near the Close](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xlix-near-the-close) Furious with his son's intention to marry Grace Crawley, he threatens disinheritance and refuses to receive the bride, nursing his wrath despite his deep love for his son. ### [LV: Framley Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lv-framley-parsonage) Disapproves of Grace's visit to Framley Parsonage, considering it improper given Mr. Robarts' role in the ecclesiastical commission. ### [The Archdeacon Goes to Framley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lvi-the-archdeacon-goes-to-framley) Travels to Framley in a state of anxiety and suspicion, seeking to prevent his son's marriage to Grace Crawley. ### [A Double Pledge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lvii-a-double-pledge) Visits Grace Crawley at Framley Parsonage to dissuade her from marrying his son, using threats and arguments about family duty and reputation. ### [The Cross-Grainedness of Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lviii-the-cross-grainedness-of-men) Visits Grace Crawley at Framley and is charmed by her, promising to withdraw opposition if her father is acquitted. Later, he struggles with his pride and avoids direct communication with his son. ### [Two Visitors to Hogglestock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxiii-two-visitors-to-hogglestock) Referenced in the chapter's opening as having a strained relationship with his son over the engagement and the sale of Cosby Lodge. ### [In Memoriam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxvii-in-memoriam) Hears the news from the postman and expresses frank relief to his wife, calling Mrs. Proudie an uncomfortable woman. ### [The Obstinacy of Mr. Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxviii-the-obstinacy-of-mr-crawley) Referenced as being won over by Grace Crawley, indicating approval of Major Grantly's interest. ### [LXX: Mrs. Arabin Is Caught](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxx-mrs-arabin-is-caught) Mrs. Arabin wrote to him giving the full history of the cheque. ### [There Is Comfort at Plumstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxiii-there-is-comfort-at-plumstead) Initially shy about the Crawleys but gradually accepts them, promising to welcome Grace. ### [The Arabins Return to Barchester](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxviii-the-arabins-return-to-barchester) Visits Mr. Harding at the deanery; discusses Mr. Crawley's future and St. Ewold's parish; shows reluctance but is gradually accepting Major Grantly's engagement. ### [Barchester Cloisters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxxi-barchester-cloisters) Reflects on Mr. Harding's character and mourns his passing, later walks in the funeral procession. ### [The Last Scene at Hogglestock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxxii-the-last-scene-at-hogglestock) Reluctantly agrees to offer St. Ewolds to Mr. Crawley after Grace is engaged to Harry. ### [Mr. Crawley Is Conquered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxxiii-mr-crawley-is-conquered) Displeased with Crawley's letter but ultimately hosts him at Plumstead; engages in banter about foxes and the bishop. ### [LXXXIV: Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxxiv-conclusion) Hosts the wedding at Plumstead; in high good humor, bestows a pony carriage on his new daughter-in-law. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/archdeacon_grantly - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters