# Mr. Bancroft — The Transformation of Philip Jettan character guide

> Mr. Bancroft in The Transformation of Philip Jettan by Georgette Heyer.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Bancroft, the resplendent Mr. Bancroft, ce cher Bancroft, M. Bancroft, Henry Bancroft, Harry Bancroft, Sir Harold Bancroft

**First appearance:** 0002-iii-mr-bancroft-brings-trouble-into-little-fittledean

## Snapshot

A resplendent Englishman in Paris, master of both words and swords, whose casual cruelty goads Philip into the duel that changes everything.

## Who they are

Bancroft is the glittering expatriate who embodies everything Philip is trying to become—and everything that is hollow in it. He mocks the raw country boy, wins Cleone's passing attention, and then humiliates Philip in a duel that leaves him wounded in body and pride. That defeat is the hinge of the novel: it strips Philip of his illusions and sets him on the harder path toward becoming genuinely formidable rather than merely fashionable.

## Relationships

### [Philip Jettan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/characters/philip_jettan)

_professional_

Mr. Bancroft is Philip's tailor and confidant, helping him navigate fashion and social expectations.

### [Cleone Charteris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/characters/cleone_charteris)

_social_

Cleone interacts with Mr. Bancroft as a customer and as a source of information about Philip.

### [Philip Jettan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/characters/philip_jettan)

_professional_

Mr. Bancroft is Philip's tailor and confidant, helping him navigate fashion and social expectations.

### [Cleone Charteris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/characters/cleone_charteris)

_social_

Cleone interacts with Mr. Bancroft as a customer and as a source of information about Philip.

### [Philip Jettan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/characters/philip_jettan)

_professional_

Mr. Bancroft is Philip's tailor and confidant, helping him navigate fashion and social expectations.

### [Cleone Charteris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/characters/cleone_charteris)

_social_

Cleone interacts with Mr. Bancroft as a customer and as a source of information about Philip.

## In the story

### [II: In Which Is Presented Mistress Cleone Charteris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/chapters/ii-in-which-is-presented-mistress-cleone-charteris)

Mentioned as a notorious duelist returning to Little Fittledean after a scandal involving Lady Marchand; his arrival causes tension.

### [III: Mr. Bancroft Brings Trouble Into Little Fittledean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/chapters/iii-mr-bancroft-brings-trouble-into-little-fittledean)

Bancroft is polished and attentive, rekindling his acquaintance with Cleone and accepting Sir Maurice's dinner invitation.

### [IV: The Trouble Comes to a Head](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/chapters/iv-the-trouble-comes-to-a-head)

Taunts Philip, flirts with Cleone, and accepts the duel challenge with condescension.

### [V: In Which Philip Finds That His Uncle Is More Sympathetic Than His Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/chapters/v-in-which-philip-finds-that-his-uncle-is-more-sympathetic-than-his-father)

Defeats Philip in a duel; Philip resents his mastery of words and swords.

### [VII: Mr. Bancroft Comes to Paris and Is Annoyed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/chapters/vii-mr-bancroft-comes-to-paris-and-is-annoyed)

Arrives in Paris seeking new amusements, but is annoyed to find Philip transformed and popular; he tries to needle Philip about the past but is rebuffed.

### [VIII: In Which Philip Delivers Himself of a Rondeau](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/chapters/viii-in-which-philip-delivers-himself-of-a-rondeau)

Not present, but his gossip about Philip and Cleone is relayed by the Vicomte. He has been disparaging Philip and speaking of Cleone as a simple country wench.

### [Mr. Bancroft Is Enraged](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/chapters/ix-mr-bancroft-is-enraged)

Enraged by Philip's confrontation and insults, Bancroft challenges Philip to a duel and seeks Le Vallon as his second.

### [X: In Which a Letter Is Read](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/chapters/x-in-which-a-letter-is-read)

Visits Sir Maurice to share a letter from Satterthwaite about the duel between Philip and his son Henry.

### [XIX: Philip Justifies His Chin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/chapters/xix-philip-justifies-his-chin)

Referenced in relation to the duel, which Philip implies was about Cleone.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/characters/mr_bancroft
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_transformation_of_philip_jettan_se/characters