# Mrs. Bute Crawley — Vanity Fair character guide

> Mrs. Bute Crawley in Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Even Mrs. Bute Crawley, the amiable Mrs. Bute Crawley, the triumphant Mrs. Bute

**First appearance:** 0011-xi-arcadian-simplicity

## Who they are

The rector's ambitious wife, who maneuvers relentlessly to secure Miss Crawley's fortune for her own branch of the family.

## In the story

### [IX: Family Portraits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/ix-family-portraits)

The Rector's wife who refuses to visit Lady Crawley, snubbing her as a tradesman's daughter.

### [XI: Arcadian Simplicity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xi-arcadian-simplicity)

The shrewd and thrifty wife of the Rector, who secretly investigates Rebecca's history and manipulates her husband to avoid Rawdon.

### [Chapter XVI: The Letter on the Pincushion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xvi-the-letter-on-the-pincushion)

Arrives opportunely and helps break the news to Miss Crawley, condemning Rebecca and Rawdon.

### [How Captain Dobbin Bought a Piano](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xvii-how-captain-dobbin-bought-a-piano)

Stays constantly with Miss Crawley, preventing Rawdon from seeing his aunt; her continued presence alarms the Crawleys.

### [Miss Crawley at Nurse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xix-miss-crawley-at-nurse)

Takes command of the household, manipulating servants and poisoning Miss Crawley against Rawdon and Rebecca.

### [In Which All the Principal Personages Think Fit to Leave Brighton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxv-in-which-all-the-principal-personages-think-fit-to-leave-brighton)

Forced to leave Brighton due to her husband's accident, ending her oppressive control over Miss Crawley.

### [In Which Miss Crawley’s Relations Are Very Anxious About Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxxiii-in-which-miss-crawley-s-relations-are-very-anxious-about-her)

She sends gifts to Miss Crawley but is alarmed by Rawdon's promotion, fearing Rebecca might regain favor.

### [James Crawley's Pipe Is Put Out](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxxiv-james-crawley-s-pipe-is-put-out)

Regrets her earlier haughtiness and schemes to regain influence by sending James to Brighton.

### [A Cynical Chapter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xxxix-a-cynical-chapter)

Hypocritically maintains appearances of wealth and virtue after the disappointment of Miss Crawley's will, and seizes control at Queen's Crawley after Sir Pitt's collapse.

### [XL: In Which Becky Is Recognized by the Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/vanity_fair_se/chapters/xl-in-which-becky-is-recognized-by-the-family)

Angry at Lady Southdown's influence, but maintains a show of courtesy with the Hall.

### [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)

In the country, she vents her indignation at Becky's presentation, contrasting it with her own virtuous but less rewarded daughters.

## Links

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