# Michael Henchard — The Mayor of Casterbridge character guide

> Michael Henchard in The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Henchard, Mike, Mr. Henchard, the Mayor, the downfallen Henchard

**First appearance:** 0000-i

## Snapshot

A hay-trusser who swore off drink and clawed his way to mayor, only to find his impulsive pride undoing every rung he climbed.

## Who they are

Henchard rules Casterbridge with a mixture of generosity and tyranny, staging lavish free entertainments to outshine his manager Farfrae's humbler efforts. His need to dominate, born of an old shame he cannot outrun, turns every rivalry into a test of will he must win at any cost. When his grand fete is drowned by rain, the reader sees the pattern that will govern his fortunes: the man who cannot share the stage is already falling from it.

## Relationships

### [Lucetta Templeman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/lucetta_templeman)

_romantic_

Lucetta and Henchard share a passionate but secret past romantic involvement, which later becomes a source of scandal and conflict.

### [Joshua Jopp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/joshua_jopp)

_rivalry_

Jopp is a disgruntled former employee of Henchard who harbors a bitter grudge and actively seeks to ruin him.

### [Abel Whittle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/abel_whittle)

_professional_

Abel Whittle is a meek, loyal worker under Henchard, who is often harshly treated but remains devoted.

### [Susan Henchard](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/susan_henchard)

_family_

Susan is Henchard's estranged wife, whom he sold at a fair years earlier, and their reunion is fraught with guilt and awkward duty.

### [Nance Mockridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/nance_mockridge)

_social_

Nance Mockridge is a local woman who interacts with Henchard in the community, often as a gossip or minor antagonist.

### [Donald Farfrae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/donald_farfrae)

_rivalry_

Farfrae starts as Henchard's trusted manager and friend, but becomes his primary business and romantic rival, leading to Henchard's downfall.

### [Mrs. Cuxsom](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/mrs_cuxsom)

_social_

Mrs. Cuxsom is a local gossip and acquaintance who often comments on Henchard's affairs and misfortunes.

### [Jack Griggs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/jack_griggs)

_social_

Jack Griggs is a minor local figure who interacts with Henchard in the context of town life and business.

### [Christopher Coney](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/christopher_coney)

_social_

Christopher Coney is a local laborer and frequenter of the inn, often observing and commenting on Henchard's actions.

### [Richard Newson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/richard_newson)

_rivalry_

Richard Newson is the sailor who bought Henchard's wife Susan, and later returns, becoming a rival for Elizabeth-Jane's affection and Henchard's peace.

### [Lucetta Templeman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/lucetta_templeman)

_romantic_

Lucetta and Henchard share a passionate but secret past romantic involvement, which later becomes a source of scandal and conflict.

### [Lucetta Templeman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/lucetta_templeman)

_romantic_

Lucetta and Henchard share a passionate but secret past romantic involvement, which later becomes a source of scandal and conflict.

## In the story

### [The Sale of a Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/i)

A hay-trusser of fine figure and stern aspect, Henchard is drunk and cynical, offering his wife for sale at the furmity tent.

### [Chapter II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/ii)

Awakens to the reality of selling his wife, takes an oath of sobriety, and searches for his family before settling in Casterbridge.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/iii)

Mentioned as the man who sold his wife at the fair eighteen years ago and left word he was going to Casterbridge.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/iv)

Mentioned by passersby in Casterbridge, confirming he is still alive and in the area.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/v)

Presides as Mayor at the dinner, defends himself against criticism over bad bread, and announces he is seeking a manager.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/vi)

Receives Farfrae's note, becomes thoughtful, and later leaves the King's Arms to head toward the Three Mariners.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/vii)

Meets Farfrae at the inn, offers him a manager position, reveals his past vow of temperance and regret over a past deed.

### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/viii)

Pauses outside the inn, drawn by Farfrae's singing, and reflects on his loneliness and desire to keep Farfrae in Casterbridge.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/ix)

Persuades Farfrae to stay in Casterbridge and work for him, showing strong impulsive attachment.

### [The Return of Susan and Elizabeth-Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/x)

Shocked and emotional upon learning Susan is alive; writes a secret note and gives money, showing both guilt and a desire to control the situation.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xi)

Arranges a secret meeting with Susan at the Amphitheatre, proposes a plan to remarry her while concealing their past, and asserts he has stopped drinking.

### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xii)

Reveals his past to Farfrae, including the sale of his wife and his oath; struggles with the moral dilemma of choosing between Susan and the Jersey woman.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xiii)

Henchard remarries Susan, driven by duty and a desire to make amends, despite the social cost and lack of romantic passion.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xiv)

Shows kindness to his wife and Elizabeth-Jane, paints the house, and enjoys Farfrae's company, though with a tendency to domineer.

### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xv)

Displays authoritarian and harsh behavior toward Abel Whittle, while also feeling a dim dread and regret regarding his friendship with Farfrae.

### [XVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xvi)

Mayor and corn-factor; grows reserved and jealous of Farfrae, organizes a grand public festival, but is humiliated when Farfrae's rival event draws the crowd; in a jealous outburst, he tells Farfrae his employment is ending.

### [Chapter XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xvii)

Dismisses Farfrae, forbids Elizabeth-Jane from seeing him, writes a stern letter, and begins a bitter commercial rivalry with Farfrae.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xviii)

Receives a letter from Lucetta, arranges to meet her but she does not appear; treats Susan kindly but is irritable; is left a widower.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xix)

Reveals his paternity to Elizabeth-Jane, then discovers from Susan's letter that she is not his biological daughter; struggles with disappointment and decides to keep the secret.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xx)

Angry over not being elected alderman and Elizabeth-Jane's perceived social missteps; writes to Farfrae withdrawing his objection to courtship.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxi)

Surprised by Elizabeth-Jane's immediate departure; tries to persuade her to stay but fails; his coldness toward her is evident.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxii)

Receives letters from Lucetta, feels emotional void after learning Elizabeth-Jane is not his daughter, becomes interested in renewing their relationship, attempts to visit but is refused.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxiii)

Attempts to visit Lucetta but is turned away; his neglect and past compromise of Lucetta are recalled.

### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxiv)

Appears at the market, greets Elizabeth-Jane and Lucetta dryly, ridicules the new drill, and seems to reproach Lucetta with the words 'You refused to see me!'

### [XXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxv)

Calls on Lucetta and awkwardly proposes marriage, but is rebuffed; his smoldering passion for her grows.

### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxvi)

Henchard confronts Farfrae about a past woman, grows suspicious of Farfrae's relationship with Lucetta, and hires Jopp to undermine Farfrae's business.

### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxvii)

Forces Lucetta to promise marriage; intervenes in a wagon fight; spies on Lucetta and Farfrae; broods over his financial losses and suspects supernatural interference.

### [XXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxviii)

Presides as magistrate, hears the old woman's accusation, and admits the truth of selling his wife.

### [Chapter XXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxix)

Rescues Lucetta from the bull, proposes a false engagement to secure credit from Grower, and later threatens Lucetta after her marriage.

### [Chapter XXX: The Revelation of Lucetta's Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxx)

Referenced as the man Lucetta was bound to by promise; Elizabeth-Jane insists she should marry him or no one.

### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxi)

Henchard's past is exposed, leading to his social and financial ruin; he offers his possessions to creditors and later sells his watch to help a small creditor.

### [Chapter XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxii)

Fallen from mayor to day-labourer, Henchard works for Farfrae, lives in a cottage, and bitterly counts down the days until his sobriety oath ends.

### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Now a journeyman hay-trusser in Farfrae's yard, Henchard is consumed by bitterness, sarcastically humiliates Lucetta, nearly pushes Farfrae from a high floor, forces a choir to sing a vengeful Psalm, and bends a poker in a show of suppressed strength.

### [XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxiv)

Hates Farfrae and speaks against him publicly; visits Farfrae to retrieve letters, reading Lucetta's passionate letters aloud but withholding her name.

### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxv)

Reads Lucetta's letters to Farfrae, then meets Lucetta at the Ring where her resemblance to his late wife softens his heart; he agrees to return the letters and keep her secret.

### [Chapter XXXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Gives Jopp a sealed package of Lucetta's letters to deliver, avoiding being seen at her house.

### [Chapter XXXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxvii)

Henchard, in worn garments, publicly approaches the royal carriage with a homemade flag, is dragged back by Farfrae, and then withdraws.

### [Chapter XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xxxviii)

Plans and nearly executes a murderous revenge on Farfrae, but stops himself out of lingering affection and remorse.

### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xl)

Desperate and repentant, Henchard pursues Farfrae to warn him of Lucetta's illness, but is mistrusted. He later paces the streets in anguish and finds solace only in Elizabeth-Jane.

### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xli)

Henchard is in deep despair, contemplates suicide, and later deceives Newson to keep Elizabeth-Jane.

### [Chapter XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xlii)

Struggles with jealousy over Farfrae's attention to Elizabeth-Jane, fights his possessive instincts, and contemplates revealing her true parentage.

### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xliii)

Leaves Casterbridge alone, reverting to working clothes, after confessing to Elizabeth-Jane and giving his blessing to her marriage.

### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xliv)

Travels eastward in despair, revisits Weydon Priors, reflects on selling his wife, feels guilt and love for Elizabeth-Jane, returns to Casterbridge on her wedding day, enters the house through the kitchen.

### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/chapters/xlv)

Has disappeared after leaving the Farfraes' door; he left a birdcage as a wedding gift for Elizabeth-Jane, but is now a changed man, wandering alone.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters/michael_henchard
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_mayor_of_casterbridge_se/characters