# Christopher Dale β€” The Small House at Allington character guide > Christopher Dale in The Small House at Allington by Anthony Trollope. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Mr. Dale, uncle Christopher, the squire **First appearance:** 0000-i-the-squire-of-allington ## Snapshot The childless squire of Allington, whose devotion to the family acres is matched only by his awkward, stubborn tenderness toward his nieces. ## Who they are Christopher Dale rules the Great House at Allington with the quiet authority of a man who has never sold an acre and never intends to. He is torn between his affection for his nieces at the Small House and his hope that his nephew Bernard will inherit both the estate and Bell's hand. His refusal to part with the land, and his slow, grudging warmth, shape the marriage plots that swirl around the two sisters. ## Relationships ### [Mrs. Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/mrs_dale) _family_ Christopher Dale is Mrs. Dale's brother-in-law and the squire, maintaining a formal but caring family connection. ### [Lilian Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/lilian_dale) _family_ Christopher Dale is Lily's uncle and squire, showing a gruff but genuine affection for his niece. ### [Adolphus Crosbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/adolphus_crosbie) _social_ Crosbie interacts with Squire Dale as a guest at Allington, but their relationship sours after the broken engagement. ### [Isabella Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/isabella_dale) _family_ Christopher Dale is Bell's uncle, treating her with the same gruff fondness he shows Lily. ### [Mrs. Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/mrs_dale) _family_ Christopher Dale is Mrs. Dale's brother-in-law and the squire, maintaining a formal but caring family connection. ### [Mrs. Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/mrs_dale) _family_ Christopher Dale is Mrs. Dale's brother-in-law and the squire, maintaining a formal but caring family connection. ### [Lilian Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/lilian_dale) _family_ Christopher Dale is Lily's uncle and squire, showing a gruff but genuine affection for his niece. ### [Isabella Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/isabella_dale) _family_ Christopher Dale is Bell's uncle, treating her with the same gruff fondness he shows Lily. ### [Lilian Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/lilian_dale) _family_ Christopher Dale is Lily's uncle and squire, showing a gruff but genuine affection for his niece. ### [Adolphus Crosbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/adolphus_crosbie) _social_ Crosbie interacts with Squire Dale as a guest at Allington, but their relationship sours after the broken engagement. ### [Isabella Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/isabella_dale) _family_ Christopher Dale is Bell's uncle, treating her with the same gruff fondness he shows Lily. ### [Adolphus Crosbie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/adolphus_crosbie) _social_ Crosbie interacts with Squire Dale as a guest at Allington, but their relationship sours after the broken engagement. ## In the story ### [The Squire of Allington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/i-the-squire-of-allington) The current squire of Allington, a man shaped by unrequited love and failed political ambition, who adheres to the family tradition of preserving the estate without entail. ### [The Two Pearls of Allington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/ii-the-two-pearls-of-allington) The squire of Allington, he provides the Small House rent-free and contributes to the girls' upbringing, favoring Bell and Bernard, but is obstinate and ungracious in his manner. ### [Beautiful Days](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/vi-beautiful-days) The squire advises Bernard on his marriage plans, implying that Bell's fortune may depend on Bernard's prompt action. ### [The Beginning of Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/vii-the-beginning-of-troubles) Initially petulant but recovers his courtesy. When pressed by Crosbie, firmly states he will provide no fortune for Lily. ### [It Cannot Be](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/viii-it-cannot-be) The squire is persuaded to attend the party and is expected to be grieved by Bell's refusal. ### [Mrs. Dale's Little Party](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/ix-mrs-dale-s-little-party) Arrives with the Boyce family; teases Mrs. Hearn about her rheumatism and is criticized by her for his treatment of her cottage. ### [Lilian Dale Becomes a Butterfly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xii-lilian-dale-becomes-a-butterfly) The squire declines lunch at the Small House, prompting Mrs. Dale's silent protest. ### [Adolphus Crosbie Spends an Evening at His Club](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxv-adolphus-crosbie-spends-an-evening-at-his-club) The squire of Allington, who confronts Crosbie at the club, denounces him as a coward and scoundrel, and vows that the Dales have not seen the last of him. ### [Lord De Courcy in the Bosom of His Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxvi-lord-de-courcy-in-the-bosom-of-his-family) Receives Lady Julia's letter, initially disbelieves it, then travels to Courcy Castle to investigate. ### [XXVII: β€œOn My Honour, I Do Not Understand It.”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxvii-on-my-honour-i-do-not-understand-it) Returns from London with confirmation of Crosbie's treachery, expressing shock and anger. ### [The Board](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxviii-the-board) The squire, mentioned as the recipient of Crosbie's letter delivered by Pratt. ### [XXX: Is It from Him?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxx-is-it-from-him) The squire expresses outrage at Crosbie's behavior and offers support to Lily. ### [The Wounded Fawn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxi-the-wounded-fawn) The squire is deeply angered by Crosbie's betrayal, refusing to forgive him and lamenting that duels are no longer possible to avenge the injury. ### [The Time Will Come](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-time-will-come) The squire is reserved and slow to respond to Lord De Guest's proposal about Johnny and Lily, though he is civil. ### [An Old Man's Complaint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxvii-an-old-man-s-complaint) The squire confronts Mrs. Dale about Bell's refusal of Bernard, expressing his hurt at being excluded from the family's affection and his desire to see the girls settled. ### [Doctor Crofts Is Called In](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xxxviii-doctor-crofts-is-called-in) The squire is shocked and hurt by Mrs. Dale's decision to leave, unable to understand her reasons. ### [Valentine's Day at Allington](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xliv-valentine-s-day-at-allington) The squire discusses Crosbie's wedding with Bell, expressing his belief that Crosbie will be miserable, and is sad about the family's planned move. ### [Preparations for Going](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/xlix-preparations-for-going) The squire is vexed that Lily refuses the invitation and that his family plans are thwarted, but he remains affectionate toward Lily. ### [Mrs. Dale Is Thankful for a Good Thing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/l-mrs-dale-is-thankful-for-a-good-thing) The squire reveals his plan for Lily to marry John Eames and offers a settlement. ### [The First Visit to the Guestwick Bridge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lii-the-first-visit-to-the-guestwick-bridge) Arrives at Guestwick Manor with Bell; greets John warmly. ### [LIII: Loquitur Hopkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/liii-loquitur-hopkins) Accepts Bell's engagement to Dr. Crofts with subdued sorrow, offers her a hundred a year, and asks Mrs. Dale to stay. ### [LVII: Lilian Dale Vanquishes Her Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lvii-lilian-dale-vanquishes-her-mother) The squire's consent is needed for the Dales to remain at the Small House; his affection is acknowledged. ### [The Fate of the Small House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lviii-the-fate-of-the-small-house) The squire, who persuades Mrs. Dale to stay, gives each niece three thousand pounds, and later reflects somberly on his life and relationships. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/chapters/lx-conclusion) Acknowledges his past unkindness to Mrs. Dale, reconciles with Hopkins, and grants Lily the freedom to spend money. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters/christopher_dale - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_small_house_at_allington_se/characters