# Mrs. Bardell — The Pickwick Papers character guide

> Mrs. Bardell in The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mrs. Bardell, Bardell, Mrs. Martha Bardell

**First appearance:** 0004-iii

## Snapshot

Mr. Pickwick's widowed landlady, whose misreading of a casual remark launches the lawsuit that hounds him through the courts.

## Who they are

Surrounded by gossiping friends like Mrs. Cluppins and Mrs. Sanders, Mrs. Bardell presides over her lodging-house with a mix of maternal fuss and romantic hope. When Pickwick's innocent words about a servant are misconstrued, she becomes the plaintiff in a breach-of-promise suit that transforms her from landlady into adversary. Her wounded dignity and the eager counsel of her companions drive one of the book's central comic engines.

## Relationships

### [Samuel Pickwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/samuel_pickwick)

_rivalry_

Mrs. Bardell sues Pickwick for breach of promise after misinterpreting his friendly remarks as a marriage proposal, becoming his legal antagonist.

### [Samuel Pickwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/samuel_pickwick)

_rivalry_

Mrs. Bardell sues Pickwick for breach of promise after misinterpreting his friendly remarks as a marriage proposal, becoming his legal antagonist.

### [Samuel Pickwick](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/samuel_pickwick)

_rivalry_

Mrs. Bardell sues Pickwick for breach of promise after misinterpreting his friendly remarks as a marriage proposal, becoming his legal antagonist.

## In the story

### [Descriptive of a very important proceeding on the part of Mr. Pickwick; no less an epoch in his life, than in this history](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xii)

Misinterprets Mr. Pickwick's words as a marriage proposal, faints in his arms, and is led downstairs by Mr. Tupman.

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

The plaintiff in the breach of promise suit; her lawyers state she will not compromise for less than the full damages.

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

Receives Sam's visit, appears agitated, and discusses the impending legal action with her friends.

### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xlvi)

Arrested and taken to Fleet Prison for costs owed to Dodson and Fogg.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/mrs_bardell
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters