The Last Chronicle of Barset · Character

Mrs. Proudie

The Bishop of Barchester's formidable wife, who rules the palace, badgers her husband, and believes she knows exactly what the Church requires.

major

Also known as poor Mrs. Proudie, the late Mrs. Proudie, Luckily Mrs. Proudie

First appearance: The Bishop Sends His Inhibition

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

Mrs. Proudie is the undisputed mistress of the bishop's palace at Barchester, a woman whose energy and certainty make her husband's authority merely nominal. When Mr. Crawley insults her and is accused of theft, she demands that he be prosecuted to the full extent of ecclesiastical law, badgering the bishop into agreeing to a commission of inquiry headed by Dr. Tempest. Her implacable sense of propriety and her conviction that she speaks for the Church make her the novel's most formidable engine of judgment—and its most dangerous.

See Mrs. Proudie in The Bishop Sends His Inhibition Book page

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Character Web

70 connections

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Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Protagonist
Extended cast and minor characters
Central plot characters
Comic relief characters

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Narrative arc

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

Setup
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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Relationships

Mr. Crawley
rivalry · negative
Conway Dalrymple
professional · ambivalent
Bishop Proudie
family · negative
Archdeacon Grantly
rivalry · negative
Lily Dale
social · ambivalent
Clara Van Siever
social · ambivalent
Major Grantly
rivalry · negative
Mr. Crawley
rivalry · negative
Conway Dalrymple
professional · ambivalent
Bishop Proudie
family · negative
Major Grantly
rivalry · negative
Clara Van Siever
social · ambivalent

Mr. Crawley
Mrs. Proudie relentlessly persecutes Mr. Crawley over the alleged theft of a check, embodying ecclesiastical tyranny against his stubborn pride.
Conway Dalrymple
Conway Dalrymple, as an artist, interacts with Mrs. Proudie in the context of painting Clara Van Siever's portrait, navigating her domineering presence.
Bishop Proudie
Bishop Proudie is the henpecked husband of Mrs. Proudie, dominated by her will in both domestic and ecclesiastical matters.
Archdeacon Grantly
Archdeacon Grantly and Mrs. Proudie are fierce ecclesiastical rivals, constantly clashing over church authority.
Lily Dale
Lily Dale and Mrs. Proudie are acquaintances with little direct interaction, but Lily is aware of Mrs. Proudie's harshness.
Clara Van Siever
Clara Van Siever is a social acquaintance of Mrs. Proudie, often caught in her schemes regarding the portrait.
Major Grantly
Major Grantly opposes Mrs. Proudie's persecution of Mr. Crawley, creating tension between them.
Mr. Crawley
Mrs. Proudie relentlessly persecutes Mr. Crawley over the alleged theft of a check, embodying ecclesiastical tyranny against his stubborn pride.
Conway Dalrymple
Conway Dalrymple, as an artist, interacts with Mrs. Proudie in the context of painting Clara Van Siever's portrait, navigating her domineering presence.
Bishop Proudie
Bishop Proudie is the henpecked husband of Mrs. Proudie, dominated by her will in both domestic and ecclesiastical matters.
Major Grantly
Major Grantly opposes Mrs. Proudie's persecution of Mr. Crawley, creating tension between them.
Clara Van Siever
Clara Van Siever is a social acquaintance of Mrs. Proudie, often caught in her schemes regarding the portrait.

Relationship notes

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

See Mrs. Proudie in The Bishop Sends His Inhibition

In the story

Mrs. Proudie appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

What the World Thought About It
Vigorously asserts Mr. Crawley's guilt and pressures the bishop to remove him from his living regardless of the trial outcome.
The Bishop Sends His Inhibition
Dominant and partisan, she insists on inhibiting Mr. Crawley and sending Mr. Thumble to Hogglestock.
Mr. Crawley Is Summoned to Barchester
Criticizes Mr. Thumble's failure and asserts her authority over the bishop's handling of the situation.
The Bishop of Barchester Is Crushed
Stands in the background, interjects with harsh comments, and insists on Mr. Crawley's guilt and the bishop's duty to act.
Where Did It Come from?
Accused Mr. Crawley of being a thief during the confrontation at the bishop's palace.
What Mr. Walker Thought About It
Discussed in gossip; Miss Prettyman claims she declared she would have Mr. Crawley sent to Botany Bay, though Mrs. Walker doubts she said such a thing.
Mr. Robarts on His Embassy
Mentioned in connection with the venom displayed during Mr. Crawley's visit to the palace.
Mrs. Proudie Sends for Her Lawyer
Furious and determined to crush Mr. Crawley, she summons Mr. Chadwick and insists on immediate legal action, overriding the bishop's hesitations.
Dr. Tempest at the Palace
Attempts to pressure Dr. Tempest into agreeing with her about Mr. Crawley's guilt, but is rebuffed; later shows unusual softness toward the bishop.
The Clerical Commission
Though not present, her influence is discussed; she is subdued at the palace, fearing the bishop is dying.
Requiescat in Pace
Struggles with her husband's unprecedented moodiness, attempts gentleness then resorts to firm action, and ultimately realizes she is hated by him.
The Obstinacy of Mr. Crawley
Her death is discussed as a sudden and awful event, and it shifts the political landscape regarding Crawley's case.
Mr. Crawley's Last Appearance in His Own Pulpit
Mentioned as deceased; her death has awed Mr. Thumble and affected the bishop's willingness to interfere with her arrangements.
LXX: Mrs. Arabin Is Caught
Reported dead in Galignani's Messenger; Mrs. Arabin reflects on her harsh entry into Barchester.

Chapter companion notes

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See Mrs. Proudie in The Bishop Sends His Inhibition