# Grace Crawley — The Last Chronicle of Barset character guide

> Grace Crawley in The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Miss Grace Crawley, Grace, poor Grace Crawley, Miss Crawley

**First appearance:** 0003-iv-the-clergyman-s-house-at-hogglestock

## Snapshot

The proud clergyman's daughter whose quiet dignity under scandal makes her the unlikely prize Major Grantly risks his family's standing to win.

## Who they are

Grace is the eldest surviving child of the impoverished Crawleys of Hogglestock, raised in a poverty her father feels as disgrace and her mother endures as daily fact. When Major Grantly's attentions make her the talk of Barsetshire, she refuses to accept him while her father stands accused, insisting she will not drag a gentleman's son into her family's shame. Her stubborn integrity—part inheritance, part self-defense—forces everyone around her to choose between social calculation and genuine worth.

## Relationships

### [Mr. Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/mr_crawley)

_family_

Grace Crawley is the devoted daughter of Mr. Crawley, sharing his burdens and defending his honor.

### [Major Grantly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/major_grantly)

_romantic_

Grace Crawley and Major Grantly are deeply in love, facing social and familial obstacles to their marriage.

### [Johnny Eames](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/johnny_eames)

_friendship_

Johnny Eames is a kind friend to Grace Crawley, offering support without romantic expectations.

### [Mr. Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/mr_crawley)

_family_

Grace Crawley is the devoted daughter of Mr. Crawley, sharing his burdens and defending his honor.

### [Johnny Eames](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/johnny_eames)

_friendship_

Johnny Eames is a kind friend to Grace Crawley, offering support without romantic expectations.

### [Major Grantly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/major_grantly)

_romantic_

Grace Crawley and Major Grantly are deeply in love, facing social and familial obstacles to their marriage.

### [Mr. Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/mr_crawley)

_family_

Grace Crawley is the devoted daughter of Mr. Crawley, sharing his burdens and defending his honor.

### [Johnny Eames](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/johnny_eames)

_friendship_

Johnny Eames is a kind friend to Grace Crawley, offering support without romantic expectations.

### [Major Grantly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/major_grantly)

_romantic_

Grace Crawley and Major Grantly are deeply in love, facing social and familial obstacles to their marriage.

## In the story

### [How Did He Get It?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/i-how-did-he-get-it)

Eldest daughter of Mr. Crawley, nineteen years old, working as a teacher in Silverbridge. Noted for her beauty despite poverty.

### [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)

The object of Major Grantly's affection, she is seen as poor and uneducated by the Grantlys and the county.

### [III: The Archdeacon's Threat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/iii-the-archdeacon-s-threat)

The subject of the archdeacon's disapproval; Major Grantly defends her as a well-educated lady despite her poverty.

### [The Clergyman's House at Hogglestock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/iv-the-clergyman-s-house-at-hogglestock)

Mentioned as the daughter who tries to comfort her father and discusses the cheque with her mother.

### [Grace Crawley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/vi-grace-crawley)

Grace is staying with the Miss Prettymans and writes to Lily Dale about her father's accusation. She is distressed but loyal to her father.

### [Miss Prettyman's Private Room](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/vii-miss-prettyman-s-private-room)

The object of Major Grantly's affection; her father's alleged theft complicates their relationship.

### [Mr. Crawley Is Taken to Silverbridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/viii-mr-crawley-is-taken-to-silverbridge)

Mentioned as the child for whose sake Mrs. Crawley urges her husband to say grace; not directly present in the chapter.

### [Grace Crawley Goes to Allington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/ix-grace-crawley-goes-to-allington)

Grace is informed of her father's committal and decides to go to Allington, torn between love for Major Grantly and family shame.

### [Mr. Crawley Seeks for Sympathy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xii-mr-crawley-seeks-for-sympathy)

Expected to return home that evening, providing a small hope for the family.

### [Major Grantly Consults a Friend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xiv-major-grantly-consults-a-friend)

Departs for Allington to visit her friend Lily Dale; her father's troubles cast a shadow over her future.

### [Down at Allington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xvi-down-at-allington)

Staying with Lily Dale; reluctant to attend Christmas dinner due to father's scandal; introduced to the squire and finds him kind; reflects on Hogglestock church.

### [Where Did It Come from?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xix-where-did-it-come-from)

Mentioned as the daughter who would have been forced to refuse the mince-pie if Mrs. Crawley had not eaten one.

### [Major Grantly at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxii-major-grantly-at-home)

The subject of Major Grantly's marriage intentions, though not present in the chapter.

### [Miss Lily Dale's Resolution](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxiii-miss-lily-dale-s-resolution)

Grace is present at breakfast and during the day, but leaves the room, allowing Lily to speak privately with her mother.

### [A Hero at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxvii-a-hero-at-home)

The object of Major Grantly's romantic mission; he intends to propose to her despite her father's troubles.

### [Showing How Major Grantly Took a Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxviii-showing-how-major-grantly-took-a-walk)

Returns from a walk with Lily Dale and encounters Major Grantly; remains silent and embarrassed during the meeting.

### [Miss Lily Dale's Logic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxix-miss-lily-dale-s-logic)

Grace is present at the cottage but becomes flustered and silent when Major Grantly is discussed. She later reveals to Lily her intention to refuse Major Grantly's proposal to avoid harming his reputation, showing her deep love and sense of duty.

### [Showing What Major Grantly Did After His Walk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxx-showing-what-major-grantly-did-after-his-walk)

Grace is the recipient of Major Grantly's proposal; she refuses him due to her family's disgrace and poverty, though she is deeply moved.

### [XXXI: Showing How Major Grantly Returned to Guestwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxxi-showing-how-major-grantly-returned-to-guestwick)

Overwhelmed by Major Grantly's proposal, she resolves to reject him because of her father's scandal, though she secretly loves him.

### [The Plumstead Foxes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-plumstead-foxes)

Refuses Major Grantly's proposal due to her father's disgrace, earning Mrs. Grantly's respect.

### [Lily Dale Writes Two Words in Her Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxxv-lily-dale-writes-two-words-in-her-book)

Grace is present at the Small House and is asked by Lily to meet her on the walk back.

### [Grace Crawley Returns Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxxvi-grace-crawley-returns-home)

Receives and agonizes over Major Grantly's love letter, writes a difficult reply refusing him out of duty, and then receives news of her father's illness.

### [Mr. Toogood's Ideas About Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xl-mr-toogood-s-ideas-about-society)

Mentioned as part of the Crawley family; her father's case is the central topic of discussion.

### [Grace Crawley at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xli-grace-crawley-at-home)

Returns home to nurse her father; confides in her mother about Major Grantly's proposal and her decision to refuse him due to family opposition.

### [Near the Close](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xlix-near-the-close)

The young woman at the center of the quarrel; Major Grantly is determined to marry her, and Mrs. Grantly speculates she might refuse if her father is convicted.

### [Lady Lufton's Proposition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/l-lady-lufton-s-proposition)

Present during the visit, briefly speaks with Lady Lufton about her stay at Allington with the Dales.

### [LV: Framley Parsonage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lv-framley-parsonage)

Staying at Framley Parsonage; declines dinner invitation due to father's disgrace; flees from Major Grantly's visit.

### [The Archdeacon Goes to Framley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lvi-the-archdeacon-goes-to-framley)

The penniless daughter of Mr. Crawley, whose potential marriage to Major Grantly is the source of the archdeacon's distress.

### [A Double Pledge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lvii-a-double-pledge)

Receives the archdeacon with composure, defends her father's honor, and declares she will not injure Major Grantly or his daughter.

### [The Cross-Grainedness of Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lviii-the-cross-grainedness-of-men)

Impressed the archdeacon with her promise not to marry Major Grantly while her father is under suspicion. Her integrity and ladylike behavior win over the archdeacon.

### [There Is Comfort at Plumstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxiii-there-is-comfort-at-plumstead)

Mentioned as the intended wife of Major Grantly; archdeacon agrees to have her visit.

### [LXXIV: The Crawleys Are Informed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxiv-the-crawleys-are-informed)

Not present in the chapter but is the subject of Major Grantly's request to Mr. Crawley for permission to court.

### [Mr. Crawley Speaks of His Coat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxix-mr-crawley-speaks-of-his-coat)

Returns home from Framley after the trial is no longer imminent, determined to be in her own house for Major Grantly's expected renewal of his offer.

### [The Last Scene at Hogglestock](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxxii-the-last-scene-at-hogglestock)

Accepts Major Grantly's proposal and shows the archdeacon's letter to her father.

### [Mr. Crawley Is Conquered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxxiii-mr-crawley-is-conquered)

Overjoyed at the change in her family's fortunes, feeling that the gifts and attention she receives confirm her happiness.

### [LXXXIV: Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxxiv-conclusion)

Married to Henry Grantly; becomes content at St. Ewolds.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters/grace_crawley
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- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/characters