# Sir Raffle Buffle — The Last Chronicle of Barset character guide

> Sir Raffle Buffle in The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Sir Raffle, old Buffle

**First appearance:** 0047-xlviii-the-softness-of-sir-raffle-buffle

## Snapshot

A pompous government knight and Johnny Eames's chief, forever reminding the world how indispensable he is to the Treasury.

## Who they are

Sir Raffle Buffle cannot mention his private secretary without explaining that Johnny's Continental journey was made with, and could not have been made without, his sanction, and he spars with Harold Smith over who truly understands the Treasury. He is the kind of man who claims to despise humbug while practicing it fluently, and whose self-importance makes him both comic and a genuine obstacle in Johnny's working life. His presence grounds the novel's London scenes in the petty vanities of office, a world away from Barsetshire's graver troubles.

## In the story

### [Up in London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xv-up-in-london)

Eames' chief at the Income-tax Office, who praises Eames' tact but warns him to mind his conduct.

### [A New Flirtation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xxxix-a-new-flirtation)

Johnny's superior at the office; they have a tense exchange over punctuality and work expectations.

### [XLIV: “I Suppose I Must Let You Have It.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xliv-i-suppose-i-must-let-you-have-it)

His voice at the corner of the street reminds Crosbie of office affairs, prompting him to seek help from Butterwell.

### [The Softness of Sir Raffle Buffle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xlviii-the-softness-of-sir-raffle-buffle)

Initially refuses Johnny's leave, but softens after hearing the story of Mr. Crawley and grants permission.

### [Miss Demolines Desires to Become a Finger-Post](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/lxxx-miss-demolines-desires-to-become-a-finger-post)

Mentions John's return to work; John's grave demeanor confounds Sir Raffle's mock activity.

## Links

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