The Last Chronicle of Barset · Character

Bishop Proudie

The mild, weary Bishop of Barchester, whose conscience and courage are no match for his wife's ambition to see Mr. Crawley punished and silenced.

supporting

Also known as Bishop

First appearance: The Bishop Sends His Inhibition

As a supporting figure in The Last Chronicle of Barset, Bishop Proudie is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Hesitant and fearful of his wife, he reluctantly agrees to write the letter of inhibition despite knowing it may exceed his authority.

In the storyThe Bishop Sends His InhibitionOpen this moment free

Bishop Proudie is a prudent, sagacious man in his own right, but at home he is teased and overborne by Mrs. Proudie, who treats the palace as her own and the clergy as her subjects. When Crawley's alleged theft gives her a cause, the bishop finds himself caught between his instinct to let the civil law take its course and his wife's demand for an immediate ecclesiastical commission. His misery and indecision expose how much of the diocese's real government runs through the drawing-room rather than the throne.

See Bishop Proudie in The Bishop Sends His Inhibition Book page

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Character Web

46 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central plot characters
Crawley family associates
Extended cast and minor characters

+41 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

In this chapter, the emotional and psychological peak occurs when John Eames, after years of unrequited love f…

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Relationships

Mrs. Proudie
family · negative
Bishop Proudie is the henpecked husband of Mrs. How this plays out →
Mr. Crawley
professional · ambivalent
Mrs. Proudie
family · negative
Bishop Proudie is the henpecked husband of Mrs. How this plays out →
Mr. Crawley
professional · ambivalent
Mr. Crawley
professional · ambivalent
Mrs. Proudie
family · negative
Bishop Proudie is the henpecked husband of Mrs. How this plays out →

Mrs. Proudie
Bishop Proudie is the henpecked husband of Mrs. Proudie, dominated by her will in both domestic and ecclesiastical matters.
Mr. Crawley
Bishop Proudie, as Mr. Crawley's ecclesiastical superior, is caught between his wife's hostility and his own weak conscience regarding Crawley's case.
Mrs. Proudie
Bishop Proudie is the henpecked husband of Mrs. Proudie, dominated by her will in both domestic and ecclesiastical matters.
Mr. Crawley
Bishop Proudie, as Mr. Crawley's ecclesiastical superior, is caught between his wife's hostility and his own weak conscience regarding Crawley's case.
Mr. Crawley
Bishop Proudie, as Mr. Crawley's ecclesiastical superior, is caught between his wife's hostility and his own weak conscience regarding Crawley's case.
Mrs. Proudie
Bishop Proudie is the henpecked husband of Mrs. Proudie, dominated by her will in both domestic and ecclesiastical matters.

Relationship notes

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

See Bishop Proudie in The Bishop Sends His Inhibition

In the story

Bishop Proudie appears across 10 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Bishop Sends His Inhibition
Hesitant and fearful of his wife, he reluctantly agrees to write the letter of inhibition despite knowing it may exceed his authority.
Mr. Crawley Is Summoned to Barchester
Summons Mr. Crawley to Barchester and is present during Mrs. Proudie's confrontation with Mr. Thumble.
The Bishop of Barchester Is Crushed
Attempts to reason with Mr. Crawley about the unseemly position and the need to cease ministrations, but is repeatedly interrupted by his wife.
Where Did It Come from?
Described as weak, ignorant, and led by his wife; he did not call Mr. Crawley a thief but showed ignorance of the law.
Mrs. Proudie Sends for Her Lawyer
Unhappy and hostile to Mr. Crawley, but hesitant and overruled by his wife; he hopes the assizes will resolve the matter before the commission acts.
Dr. Tempest at the Palace
Deeply despondent after his quarrel with Mrs. Proudie; sits silently during dinner and later confesses his heart is broken.
Requiescat in Pace
Sinks into deep depression and sullen silence, blames his wife for his disgrace, and threatens to resign the diocese.
Mr. Crawley's Last Appearance in His Own Pulpit
Refuses to see Mr. Thumble after Mrs. Proudie's death, unwilling to interfere with her arrangements.
Barchester Cloisters
Attends the funeral unexpectedly, looking old and worn, marking a reconciliation.
The Last Scene at Hogglestock
Receives the dean, mourns Mrs. Proudie, and seeks advice about Mr. Crawley.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Bishop Proudie unlock in the free preview.

See Bishop Proudie in The Bishop Sends His Inhibition