# Lord Steyne — Vanity Fair character guide

> Lord Steyne in Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Steyne, the Marquis of Steyne, old Steyne

**First appearance:** 0047-xlvii-gaunt-house

## Snapshot

Powerful, cynical Marquis who takes Becky under his patronage, opening high society's doors while exacting a price her husband never suspects.

## Who they are

Lord Steyne is the great peer whose partiality Becky cultivates with perfect frankness, turning his attachment into appointments, introductions, and hope of a peerage for Pitt. He moves through Vanity Fair as its most cynical insider, generous with influence and contemptuous of the people he elevates. His patronage is the summit of Becky's ascent—and the fault line along which her marriage and reputation will eventually crack.

## In the story

### [Before the Curtain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/before-the-curtain)

Implied as the richly dressed figure of the Wicked Nobleman, on which no expense has been spared, and which Old Nick will fetch away.

### [The Subject Continued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-subject-continued)

A frequent visitor at Becky's home, he makes sardonic remarks about Rawdon's diminished role.

### [Between Hampshire and London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xlv-between-hampshire-and-london)

Visits Rebecca's home, shows deference to her, and takes an interest in Sir Pitt's career.

### [Gaunt House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xlvii-gaunt-house)

The Marquis of Steyne, owner of Gaunt House, lives in Naples; a good scholar and amateur casuist who enjoys pitting his sons' tutor against the family's Catholic director.

### [In Which the Reader Is Introduced to the Very Best of Company](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xlviii-in-which-the-reader-is-introduced-to-the-very-best-of-company)

Visits Becky after his wife and daughter leave their cards; teases her about her social climbing and gives her a banknote.

### [In Which We Enjoy Three Courses and a Dessert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xlix-in-which-we-enjoy-three-courses-and-a-dessert)

Lord Steyne asserts his dominance over his family, forcing them to accept Becky and revealing his cynical control over the household.

### [LI: In Which a Charade Is Acted Which May or May Not Puzzle the Reader](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/li-in-which-a-charade-is-acted-which-may-or-may-not-puzzle-the-reader)

Patron of Becky, provides resources for her parties, and incites the charade entertainment at Gaunt House.

### [In Which Lord Steyne Shows Himself in a Most Amiable Light](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/lii-in-which-lord-steyne-shows-himself-in-a-most-amiable-light)

Admires Becky's cunning after uncovering her lies about the money; continues his visits despite family objections; provides a position for Briggs at Gauntly Hall.

### [A Rescue and a Catastrophe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/liii-a-rescue-and-a-catastrophe)

Confronted by Rawdon, struck, and exposed as Becky's benefactor.

### [Sunday After the Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/liv-sunday-after-the-battle)

The intended recipient of Rawdon's challenge; implicated in the scandal with Becky.

### [In Which the Same Subject Is Pursued](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/lv-in-which-the-same-subject-is-pursued)

Furious that Rawdon's fortune is made through his means; the duel is buried in secrecy but becomes town talk.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters/lord_steyne
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/characters