The Last Chronicle of Barset · Character

Major Grantly

The archdeacon's widowed son, a half-pay major who proposes to marry Grace Crawley whether her father is a thief or not.

major

Also known as Henry Grantly, Harry, Henry, young Major Grantly

First appearance: Major Grantly Consults a Friend

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

A widower with a young daughter, he is considering marrying Grace Crawley despite his family's objections; he is a decorated veteran with independent means.

In the storyBy Heavens He Had Better Not!Open this moment free

See Major Grantly in By Heavens He Had Better Not!Book page

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Henry Grantly is the son of Archdeacon Grantly of Plumstead Episcopi, a man whose family pride is matched only by his dread of scandal. The major has fallen in love with Grace Crawley, the daughter of a clergyman accused of theft, and has decided that he will marry her regardless of the verdict—a decision that puts him at war with his father and makes him the subject of county gossip. His quiet determination to do what he thinks right, even at the cost of his inheritance and his father's respect, makes him the moral counterweight to the novel's many calculations of advantage.

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See Major Grantly in Major Grantly Consults a Friend

Character Web

49 connections

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

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central plot characters
Extended cast and minor characters
London social circle
Minor romantic figures

+44 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

Mr. Crawley
romantic · positive
Major Grantly, in love with Grace Crawley, supports her father Mr. How this plays out →
Archdeacon Grantly
family · ambivalent
Grace Crawley
romantic · positive
Mrs. Proudie
rivalry · negative
Archdeacon Grantly
family · ambivalent
Mrs. Proudie
rivalry · negative
Mr. Crawley
romantic · positive
Major Grantly, in love with Grace Crawley, supports her father Mr. How this plays out →
Grace Crawley
romantic · positive
Mr. Crawley
romantic · positive
Major Grantly, in love with Grace Crawley, supports her father Mr. How this plays out →
Grace Crawley
romantic · positive
Mrs. Proudie
rivalry · negative

Mr. Crawley
Major Grantly, in love with Grace Crawley, supports her father Mr. Crawley despite social and familial opposition.
Archdeacon Grantly
Archdeacon Grantly is the stern, proud father of Major Grantly, disapproving of his son's choice to marry Grace Crawley.
Grace Crawley
Grace Crawley and Major Grantly are deeply in love, facing social and familial obstacles to their marriage.
Mrs. Proudie
Major Grantly opposes Mrs. Proudie's persecution of Mr. Crawley, creating tension between them.
Archdeacon Grantly
Archdeacon Grantly is the stern, proud father of Major Grantly, disapproving of his son's choice to marry Grace Crawley.
Mrs. Proudie
Major Grantly opposes Mrs. Proudie's persecution of Mr. Crawley, creating tension between them.
Mr. Crawley
Major Grantly, in love with Grace Crawley, supports her father Mr. Crawley despite social and familial opposition.
Grace Crawley
Grace Crawley and Major Grantly are deeply in love, facing social and familial obstacles to their marriage.
Mr. Crawley
Major Grantly, in love with Grace Crawley, supports her father Mr. Crawley despite social and familial opposition.
Grace Crawley
Grace Crawley and Major Grantly are deeply in love, facing social and familial obstacles to their marriage.
Mrs. Proudie
Major Grantly opposes Mrs. Proudie's persecution of Mr. Crawley, creating tension between them.

Relationship notes

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

See Major Grantly in Major Grantly Consults a Friend

In the story

Major Grantly appears across 31 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

By Heavens He Had Better Not!
A widower with a young daughter, he is considering marrying Grace Crawley despite his family's objections; he is a decorated veteran with independent means.
III: The Archdeacon's Threat
Defends his attachment to Grace Crawley, asserts his independence, and refuses to be swayed by his father's threats.
What the World Thought About It
Acknowledges his implied engagement to Grace Crawley but struggles with the fear of marrying into a family of a convicted thief.
Grace Crawley
A suitor to Grace; Miss Anne Prettyman fears the scandal may cause him to change his mind. He arrives at the Miss Prettymans' house.
Miss Prettyman's Private Room
Visits Miss Prettyman to discuss his love for Grace Crawley and the dilemma posed by her father's scandal.
Grace Crawley Goes to Allington
Major Grantly acts as bail for Mr. Crawley and is revealed to have feelings for Grace.
Major Grantly Consults a Friend
Consults Mrs. Thorne about his love for Grace Crawley, torn between his feelings and the scandal surrounding her father.
Down at Allington
Mentioned by the squire as having an only daughter, Edith; the squire recalls him as a handsome lad.
What Mr. Walker Thought About It
Mentioned as the master of a groom seen at the inn; his servant is talking about Mr. Crawley.
Major Grantly at Home
Resolves to marry Grace Crawley despite his father's implicit bribe of an equal inheritance.
A Hero at Home
Travels to Allington to propose to Grace Crawley; worries about being cut off from his family.
Showing How Major Grantly Took a Walk
Arrives in Allington with the intention of proposing to Grace Crawley; meets her unexpectedly on the road and later confides his plans to Mrs. Dale.
Showing What Major Grantly Did After His Walk
Major Grantly proposes to Grace, insisting on their engagement despite her refusal, and kisses her before leaving.
XXXI: Showing How Major Grantly Returned to Guestwick
After proposing to Grace, he reaffirms his commitment to her, deciding to write a letter expressing his trust in her father's innocence.
The Plumstead Foxes
His letter announces his intention to marry Grace Crawley, despite her refusal, causing the family conflict.
Grace Crawley Returns Home
Writes a passionate love letter to Grace, declaring his love and insisting he will not abandon her despite her father's troubles.
Grace Crawley at Home
Proposed to Grace Crawley, but she refused due to his family's opposition; he wrote a letter to her after the proposal.
Mr. Toogood Travels Professionally
Invited to Mr. Walker's dinner to meet Mr. Toogood; asks about the bishop's motives.
Near the Close
Determined to marry Grace Crawley, he gives up Cosby Lodge and plans to go abroad to Pau, insisting on knowing his father's intentions regarding inheritance.
LV: Framley Parsonage
Visits Framley to see Grace; expresses his devotion; Grace flees from him.
The Archdeacon Goes to Framley
Mentioned as being at Framley, causing his father's alarm; his intended marriage to Grace Crawley is the central issue.
A Double Pledge
Mentioned as the son whose marriage to Grace is opposed by the archdeacon; his financial dependence and duty to his daughter Edith are central to the argument.
The Cross-Grainedness of Men
Remains firm in his resolve to marry Grace Crawley despite his father's threats to withdraw his allowance. He refuses to cancel the sale of his furniture and plans to move to France.
Two Visitors to Hogglestock
Visits Hogglestock to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Crawley about his engagement to Grace; struggles with his father's interference and his own pride.
The Obstinacy of Mr. Crawley
Mentioned in passing as having visited the Crawleys and having made a conquest of the archdeacon.
Mr. Toogood at Silverbridge
Informed by Mr. Walker about the clearing of Mr. Crawley; agrees to eventually bring the news to Hogglestock.
There Is Comfort at Plumstead
Brings the news of Mr. Crawley's innocence and reconciles with his father.
LXXIV: The Crawleys Are Informed
Travels with Mr. Toogood to Hogglestock to deliver the good news; asks Mr. Crawley's permission to court Grace.
The Last Scene at Hogglestock
Visits Hogglestock, proposes to Grace, and she accepts.
Mr. Crawley Is Conquered
Present at dinner, mentions the fox earth at Hoggle Bushes.
LXXXIV: Conclusion
Marries Grace Crawley at Plumstead; defers to family on wedding arrangements.

Chapter companion notes

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See Major Grantly in Major Grantly Consults a Friend

See Major Grantly in By Heavens He Had Better Not!