# Parson Chowne — The Maid of Sker character guide > Parson Chowne in The Maid of Sker by R. D. Blackmore. **Role:** major **Also known as:** the Parson Chowne, Chowne, brother Chowne, vile Parson Chowne **First appearance:** 0001-the-maid-of-sker ## Who they are A black-tempered clergyman who rides his horses to ruin, keeps a groom in terror, and schemes after money and beauty with a vengeance that never sleeps. ## Relationships ### [Sir Philip Bampfylde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters/sir_philip_bampfylde) _psychological_ Parson Chowne manipulates and dominates Sir Philip, exerting a sinister psychological control over him. ### [Miss Delushy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters/miss_delushy) _psychological_ Miss Delushy is both fascinated and victimized by Parson Chowne's manipulative influence over her. ### [Sir Philip Bampfylde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters/sir_philip_bampfylde) _psychological_ Parson Chowne manipulates and dominates Sir Philip, exerting a sinister psychological control over him. ### [Sir Philip Bampfylde](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters/sir_philip_bampfylde) _psychological_ Parson Chowne manipulates and dominates Sir Philip, exerting a sinister psychological control over him. ### [Miss Delushy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters/miss_delushy) _psychological_ Miss Delushy is both fascinated and victimized by Parson Chowne's manipulative influence over her. ### [Miss Delushy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters/miss_delushy) _psychological_ Miss Delushy is both fascinated and victimized by Parson Chowne's manipulative influence over her. ## In the story ### [A Fine Spectacle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxvii-a-fine-spectacle) One of the two parsons; described with a dark, commanding presence. ### [XXVIII: Something About Him](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxviii-something-about-him) Central figure of the chapter; a domineering and feared parson who controls his parish through intimidation and violence. ### [A Visit to a Parson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxix-a-visit-to-a-parson) The feared and mysterious parson; lives in a remote area, is rumored to have a compact with the devil, and tasks Davy with watching Narnton Court. ### [XXX: On Duty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxx-on-duty) Parson Chowne frequently visits the ketch on his black mare, exerting control over Captain Bethel Jose and the crew, and is suspected by Davy of having dark reasons for lingering. ### [XXXII: Among the Savages](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxii-among-the-savages) Confronts Davy near his house, interrogates him about recent events, and advises him to prioritize business over chivalry; later appears in Davy's nightmare. ### [XXXIII: In a State of Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxiii-in-a-state-of-nature) Suspicious and angry; confronts Davy about a trust-guinea; has a history of bitterness, three marriages, and a childhood love for a cousin killed at school. ### [Waiting and Learning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxiv-waiting-and-learning) Pays Davy three half-crowns a week and provides a hayloft; warns Davy to keep quiet. ### [The Polite Ferryman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxv-the-polite-ferryman) Initially angry about the ferry but allows it; later confronts Davy and is struck unconscious. ### [Under Fairer Auspices](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxvi-under-fairer-auspices) Mentioned as the wicked man who has set spies on Miss Carey; a story is told about his notorious behavior and a bishop's visit. ### [A Fine Old Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxviii-a-fine-old-gentleman) Parson Chowne is referenced as the father of Stoyle and as a source of Davy's fear and suspicion. ### [Notice to Quit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xxxix-notice-to-quit) Overheard with Sir Philip, defending Sir Philip's son against dishonor and displaying his characteristic sarcasm. ### [Forcible Ejectment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xl-forcible-ejectment) Victim of the fire; offers a reward for Davy's capture. ### [XLI: The Right Man in the Right Place](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xli-the-right-man-in-the-right-place) Continues his schemes against Captain Bampfylde and Miss Carey; Davy speculates on his motives. ### [Mischief in a Household](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xlvii-mischief-in-a-household) The primary antagonist, who terrorizes the Bampfylde household, intimidates Isabel Carey, and spreads discord between Sir Philip and his son. ### [One Who Has Interred Himself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/xlix-one-who-has-interred-himself) Davy speculates that Chowne is behind the burial of the dolls and hat, recalling his past rudeness and suspecting him of drowning two children. ### [Beating Up for the Navy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/liii-beating-up-for-the-navy) The owner of the naked savages that Davy impresses; Davy feels a delicacy about trespassing on his freehold. ### [LV: Upon Foreign Service](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lv-upon-foreign-service) Mentioned as someone who would blacken the Captain's character if the marriage were known. ### [Exiles of Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lvi-exiles-of-society) Appears at the public-house to collect rent; threatens the landlady with warrants for using counterfeit coins. ### [Polly at Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxiii-polly-at-home) Davy is cautious not to arouse him until the proper time. ### [LXIV: Susan Quite Acquits Herself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxiv-susan-quite-acquits-herself) Active in the search; gave a significant shake of the head when the Captain could not be found. ### [Dog Eats Dog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxvii-dog-eats-dog) The target of the confrontation; accused of spreading lies about the Bampfylde family and causing distress. ### [The Old Pitcher at the Well Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/chapters/lxviii-the-old-pitcher-at-the-well-again) Dies of rabies after setting his hound on his own grandfather; revealed to be a gypsy impostor. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters/parson_chowne - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_maid_of_sker_se/characters