# Parson Drumbleforth — When Charles the First Was King character guide > Parson Drumbleforth in When Charles the First Was King by J. S. Fletcher. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Parson Drumbleforth, Master Drumbleforth, Master John, Master John Drumbleforth, John Drumbleforth, John, Mr. John Drumbleforth, An Master John, poor Master John, the Reverend Nathaniel Drumbleforth **First appearance:** 0001-ii-of-my-family-friends-neighbours-and-enemies ## Snapshot The learned vicar of Darrington and father of Jack, a principled clergyman whose household anchors the village's loyalties. ## Who they are Parson Drumbleforth keeps the vicarage at Darrington, a plain foursquare house whose garden path leads into the graveyard, and raises his son Jack in the same sturdy principles. He stands among the local clergy whose counsel and constancy steady the yeoman families as the quarrel between King and Parliament sharpens. His name is invoked as a moral authority, and his household becomes a waypoint for Will and Jack as they move between the quiet village and the gathering war. ## Relationships ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/characters/narrator) _social_ Parson Drumbleforth is a local clergyman and the narrator's occasional interlocutor, representing religious authority. ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/characters/narrator) _social_ Parson Drumbleforth is a local clergyman and the narrator's occasional interlocutor, representing religious authority. ### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/characters/narrator) _social_ Parson Drumbleforth is a local clergyman and the narrator's occasional interlocutor, representing religious authority. ## In the story ### [Of My Family, Friends, Neighbours, and Enemies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/ii-of-my-family-friends-neighbours-and-enemies) Visits weekly to sup with the family and discuss crops and news. ### [Of My First Going to School](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/v-of-my-first-going-to-school) The vicar who persuades Will's parents to send him to school, visiting their home to discuss the matter. ### [Of the Dispute in the Marketplace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/vi-of-the-dispute-in-the-marketplace) Present at the harvest-supper to hallow the ceremony, accompanied by his son Jack. ### [Of the Passage of Many Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/ix-of-the-passage-of-many-years) Advisor to Will's mother; counsels Will to return to school for a year before taking over the farm. ### [Of My Coming of Age](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/x-of-my-coming-of-age) Says grace before the feast, makes a serious speech, and sits at the foot of the table. ### [XII: Of the First Tidings of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xii-of-the-first-tidings-of-war) Jack's father; he sits at the head of the supper table beside Will. ### [Of Philip Lisle’s Call to Arms](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xiii-of-philip-lisle-s-call-to-arms) Expresses anxiety about the civil war, acknowledges grievances on both sides, but affirms his loyalty to the King. ### [Of Jack’s Letters from the Seat of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xviii-of-jack-s-letters-from-the-seat-of-war) Receives a letter from his son Jack; reads it aloud with pride. ### [Of the Coming Near of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxiii-of-the-coming-near-of-war) Comments on the Westminster Assembly and the Solemn League and Covenant. ### [Of the Death of Philip Lisle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxxix-of-the-death-of-philip-lisle) Delighted by Jack's return, to officiate the wedding. ### [Of Our Imprisonment in Pontefract Castle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xl-of-our-imprisonment-in-pontefract-castle) Visits Jack daily; supports Will's decision to keep Jack at Dale's Field. ### [Of My Journey to London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xli-of-my-journey-to-london) Visits the parlour to sit and remember Will's parents; blesses the family. ### [Of the Scene Before Whitehall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xlii-of-the-scene-before-whitehall) Recommended Master Goodfellow to Will; mentioned as having told Will and Jack about London. ### [Of the Fate of Dennis Watson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xliv-of-the-fate-of-dennis-watson) Mentioned as the clergyman Will intends to call upon to perform his marriage. ### [Of Our Preparations for the Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xlvi-of-our-preparations-for-the-wedding) Advises Will against vengeance, quoting scripture and urging forgiveness. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/characters/parson_drumbleforth - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/characters