Barnaby Rudge · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens.
Chapter 1
Barnaby Rudge
This is the opening chapter of Barnaby Rudge, introducing the novel's title character and setting the stage for the story of the Gordon Riots of 1780.
Chapter 2
Chapter 1
The chapter opens at the Maypole Inn on a stormy March evening, where the landlord John Willet presides over his regulars—Solomon Daisy, Tom Cobb, and Phil Parkes—and two strangers: a weather-beaten man with a scarred face and a young, well-dressed gentleman. The conversation turns to a twenty-two-year-old murder at the Warren, the Haredale estate, where a gardener killed his master and vanished. The scarred stranger reacts with unease to the scrutiny, while the young gentleman remains aloof. John Willet's son Joe serves the guests, and the chapter establishes the inn's atmosphere and the lingering mystery of the old crime.
Chapter 3
Chapter 2
A mysterious stranger at the Maypole Inn departs hastily for London despite the storm, after a tense exchange with Joe Willet. He rides recklessly through the dangerous, unpaved roads, nearly colliding with a chaise driven by Gabriel Varden, the locksmith. After a brief, hostile encounter, the stranger threatens Varden's life before galloping away. Varden, despite his resolution to avoid the Maypole, decides to stop there for a light, tempted by its warmth and comfort.
Chapter 4
Chapter 3
Gabriel Varden, returning from the Maypole, encounters a wounded stranger and is aided by Barnaby, who is terrified of blood. After bringing the man to safety, Varden returns to the Maypole where he discusses the stranger with the company, leading to Joe Willet's outburst against his father's treatment. Joe expresses his desire for independence, and Varden advises him to be patient. Joe asks Varden not to spread the story of his humiliation, and Varden departs for London, reflecting on his adventure and how to explain it to his wife.
Chapter 5
Chapter 4: The Locksmith's Household
The chapter introduces the Varden household in Clerkenwell, detailing the eccentricities of the house and its inhabitants. Gabriel Varden recounts his encounter with a masked young lady at a masquerade, which caused quite a stir. His apprentice, Simon Tappertit, displays his vanity and ambition, while Dolly Varden reacts with feigned indifference to news of Joe Willet's possible departure. Mrs. Varden, in a fit of temper, demands her usual comforts and the Protestant Manual, signaling her displeasure.
Chapter 6
Chapter 5
Gabriel Varden visits the wounded gentleman's house, where he finds the widow and learns that Barnaby delivered a letter from Mr. Chester. As they talk, a mysterious knocking at the shutter leads the widow to answer, and she is confronted by the man Varden encountered the previous night. Varden attempts to chase him but is restrained by the widow, who begs him not to follow, revealing her terror and the man's dangerous significance.
Chapter 7
Chapter 6
Gabriel Varden and Edward Chester discuss the attack on Edward, with Varden suspecting a connection to Barnaby and his mother. The raven Grip displays uncanny intelligence, and Varden leaves with uneasy suspicions about the household's secrets.
Chapter 8
Chapter 7
The chapter introduces Mrs. Varden's uncertain temper and her maid Miggs, who exacerbates her moods. Gabriel Varden returns home late to find his wife in a sulky mood, and after a tense exchange, she retires with Miggs. Later, Sim Tappertit secretly uses a duplicate key to let himself out of the house, unnoticed by the sleeping locksmith.
Chapter 9
Chapter 8
Simon Tappertit, having left the locksmith's house, makes his way through dark and unsavory streets to a cellar where he meets with a blind man named Stagg and other apprentices. He presides over a secret meeting of the 'Prentice Knights, where a new member, Mark Gilbert, is initiated and grievances against his master, Thomas Curzon, are recorded with black crosses, symbolizing vengeance.
Chapter 10
Chapter 9
Miss Miggs, the Vardens' maid, observes Simon Tappertit sneaking out at night after making a key to the workshop. She sabotages the lock with coal dust, forcing him to wake her for entry. After a comedic exchange, she lets him in and feigns fainting, securing his confidence.
Chapter 11
Chapter 10
Mr. Chester, revealed as the mysterious guest at the Maypole, sends Barnaby with a message to Mr. Haredale, while John Willet is troubled by the animosity between the two gentlemen. Barnaby's fanciful imagination and his raven Grip add a touch of whimsy to the tense atmosphere.
Chapter 12
Chapter 11
At the Maypole Inn, the regular customers gather and learn that Mr. Chester is awaiting Mr. Haredale for a likely duel. The men discuss the impending confrontation, with Solomon Daisy speculating on the outcome and the possibility of bloodshed. John Willet philosophizes about Hugh's lack of imagination, comparing him to an animal. Hugh, asleep by the fire, is described in detail. When Haredale arrives, he is led to the great room upstairs, where he enters to meet Chester.
Chapter 13
Chapter 12
In the stateroom of the Maypole, Mr. Haredale and Mr. Chester meet for a tense, ostensibly diplomatic conversation. Despite their mutual animosity, they agree to work together to prevent the romance between Emma Haredale and Edward Chester. Mr. Chester reveals he learned of the affair through Barnaby's mother, and both men plan to use manipulation and emotional appeals to separate the young lovers.
Chapter 14
Chapter 13
Joe Willet, on his annual quarter-day journey to London, visits the Varden household hoping to see Dolly, but finds she has gone to a dance. He presents flowers to Mrs. Varden, who dismisses them, and he leaves disheartened, realizing his love for Dolly may be hopeless.
Chapter 15
Chapter 14
Joe Willet, despondent over Dolly Varden, encounters Edward Chester on the road. They ride together to the Warren, where Edward secretly meets Emma Haredale, but is discovered by her uncle, Mr. Haredale, who sternly forbids the relationship. Edward defiantly asserts his love and leaves. Returning to the Maypole, they learn that Sir John Chester has been there all day, causing Edward to hastily depart for London.
Chapter 16
Chapter 15
In this chapter, Sir John Chester lounges in his luxurious Temple chambers, enjoying a late breakfast and observing the peaceful scene outside. His son Edward enters and, after a tense conversation, reveals his frustration with his dependence on his father and his desire to pursue an honourable path in life. Sir John, with characteristic cynicism and self-interest, dismisses Edward's plea, revealing the family's desperate finances and his own manipulative plans for his son's future, including discouraging any attachment to Emma Haredale. The chapter ends with Edward left in despair, realizing the villainous role he has unconsciously played.
Chapter 17
Chapter 16
This chapter paints a vivid picture of London's dangerous and dimly lit streets at night, contrasting them with modern times. It describes the perils of walking alone, the presence of footpads and highwaymen, and the various characters that populate the night, including chairmen, linkboys, and the watch. A mysterious stranger, who has been seen lurking in the city for about eight days, haunts the night-cellars and streets, inspiring fear and speculation among the outcasts. He is observed following a woman—revealed to be the widow, Mrs. Rudge—as she runs errands and returns home, where he confronts her at her door, appearing as a terrifying apparition.
Chapter 18
Chapter 17
In this chapter, Barnaby returns home from a day of adventure with Hugh and Grip, full of excitement and tales of their exploits. His mother, however, is deeply anxious and fearful, haunted by a secret. A mysterious man, revealed to be the robber from the Chigwell road, forces his way into the widow's home, demanding food and shelter. He threatens her, revealing a dark connection to her past and a hold over her through her son. The chapter ends with the widow praying for divine protection for Barnaby, as the man leaves with a warning of revenge.
Chapter 19
Chapter 18
A mysterious man wanders the dark streets of London all night, seeking refuge. He encounters Simon Tappertit and the blind man Stagg, eventually persuading Stagg to let him stay in his cellar. The blind man, suspicious, watches him as he sleeps.
Chapter 20
Chapter 19
Dolly Varden is still flustered from the party, and Edward Chester visits the Varden household to ask a favor: that Dolly deliver a letter to the Warren. Mrs. Varden agrees, and they set off for the Maypole, encountering the lovesick coachmaker on the way. At the Maypole, Joe Willet is overjoyed to see Dolly and helps her alight, while old John Willet is less welcoming. Later, Mrs. Varden feigns a fainting fit to get her way about going to Chigwell, and after much drama, the locksmith gives in.
Chapter 21
Chapter 20
Dolly Varden visits Emma Haredale at the Warren, delivering a letter from Edward Chester. Emma reads the long letter with distress, and Dolly stays for dinner and helps write a reply. Before leaving, Dolly is confronted by Mr. Haredale, who questions her about the letter. Dolly bravely refuses to surrender it, and Mr. Haredale, impressed by her firmness, offers her a position as Emma's companion. Dolly declines to answer immediately and leaves, feeling triumphant. On her way home, she becomes aware of a mysterious rustling in the hedges, suggesting she is being followed.
Chapter 22
Chapter 21
Dolly Varden is terrified when Hugh of the Maypole confronts her alone on a dark path, his rough admiration and threatening words frightening her. Joe Willet arrives and rescues her, but Dolly realizes she has lost her bracelet and a letter. Joe offers to search for them, but Dolly is reluctant to have Hugh accompany them. The search proves fruitless, and Dolly writes a note to Miss Haredale about the loss. The chapter ends with the group at the Maypole, where Mrs. Varden lectures on morality while old John Willet dozes.
Chapter 23
Chapter 22
Joe Willet escorts Dolly Varden home after rescuing her from an attack, and their romantic tension grows. Hugh joins them, unsettling Dolly. At the Varden home, Mrs. Varden and Miss Miggs criticize the locksmith, while Miggs tells Simon Tappertit about Joe's heroism, provoking his jealousy and threats.
Chapter 24
Chapter 23
In his dressing-room in the Temple, Sir John Chester reclines on a sofa, reading and praising Lord Chesterfield's writings as the epitome of gentlemanly morality. He is interrupted by the arrival of Hugh, who has come to return a riding whip and deliver a letter he took from Dolly Varden. Hugh also confesses to taking a kiss and a bracelet from her. Sir John, displaying his usual cool and manipulative demeanor, questions Hugh about the letter and the bracelet, ultimately allowing Hugh to keep the bracelet while claiming he is neither a thief nor a receiver. He plies Hugh with drink, and Hugh, growing intoxicated, boasts of his capacity for violence and his dependence on alcohol for strength and courage. Sir John remains composed, observing Hugh's behavior with detached amusement.
Chapter 25
Chapter 24
Mr. Chester reflects on his successful evening among society, where he was admired for his composure and charm. He receives a mysterious note from Simon Tappertit, who visits him in disguise. Tappertit reveals his grievances against Edward Chester and warns of a plot involving Joe Willet, Barnaby Rudge, and Mrs. Rudge, urging Mr. Chester to take action. Mr. Chester, amused by Tappertit's earnestness, considers the information useful for his own schemes.
Chapter 26
Chapter 25
Barnaby and his mother, accompanied by the raven Grip, travel on foot to Chigwell, the widow's native village, which she has not visited in twenty-two years. They arrive at the Warren, where Mr. Haredale greets them and urges the widow to stay, but she insists this is her last visit. She reveals she has come to ask a favor, but when Mr. Haredale offers assistance, she recoils and refuses to confide in Emma Haredale. She agrees only to meet Mr. Haredale at her own house the next evening. After leaving, they wait in the churchyard, where the widow reflects on the graves of Reuben Haredale and her husband. They board the coach, which stops at the Maypole, where Hugh hands up a parcel and old John Willet is seen asleep inside.
Chapter 27
Chapter 26
Mr. Haredale and Gabriel Varden discuss their concerns about Mrs. Rudge, with Varden revealing he saw a highwayman in her house and that she prevented him from detaining the man. They go to her house, only to find she and Barnaby have left, and Sir John Chester is now there, having bought off the two agents who were helping Edward and Emma's secret courtship.
Chapter 28
Chapter 27
Mr. Haredale remains in the widow's parlour after Mr. Chester departs, intending to speak with Gabriel Varden. Mr. Chester, walking away, reflects on his self-control and his plan to wound his enemies more deeply through politeness than through violence. He then visits the Varden household, where he charms Mrs. Varden, Dolly, and Miss Miggs with his eloquent and seemingly virtuous conversation. He takes Mrs. Varden aside and secures her secret alliance to oppose Edward's suit to Miss Haredale, leaving her feeling improved and important. Dolly, however, suspects he was making game of them, which angers her mother.
Chapter 29
Chapter 28
Mr. Chester dines at a coffeehouse, reflecting on his clever schemes, then visits a gaming-table before returning home. He discovers Hugh asleep on his staircase and wakes him. Hugh reports on Edward Chester's visit to the Maypole, Dolly's intercepted note, and the quarrel between Joe and his father. Mr. Chester takes the note, plans to intercept Dolly on her walk, and warns Hugh to keep their association secret. After Hugh leaves, Mr. Chester muses on his plot, then has a disturbing dream about Hugh at his door.
Chapter 30
Chapter 29
Mr. Chester rides through the Forest to the Maypole, where he observes Hugh's wild antics and speaks with John Willet about his son Joe. He then proceeds to the Widow's house, where he finds Emma Haredale and manipulates her with false claims about Edward's intentions, showing her a forged letter to convince her that Edward plans to break their engagement. Mr. Haredale arrives and confronts Chester, who remains unruffled and deceitful.
Chapter 31
Chapter 30
Old John Willet's tyranny over his son Joe reaches a breaking point. After humiliating Joe in front of Mr. Chester, John's cronies further provoke Joe, leading to a violent outburst where Joe attacks Tom Cobb. Joe then retreats to his room, vowing to leave the Maypole.
Chapter 32
Chapter 31
Joe Willet, after a sleepless night at the Maypole, decides to leave home and enlist in the army. He encounters a recruiting sergeant at the Black Lion, who persuades him to join. Joe, feeling disheartened by his father's treatment and his unrequited love for Dolly, agrees to meet the sergeant later that evening. Meanwhile, Simon Tappertit, who has been secretly watching Joe and Dolly's parting, is overjoyed at the prospect of winning Dolly for himself.
Chapter 33
Chapter 32
Edward Chester and his father, Sir John Chester, have a tense dinner conversation. Sir John mocks Edward's emotional sincerity and advises him to be pragmatic about love and marriage, referencing Emma Haredale's rejection. Edward accuses his father of interfering and declares his independence. Sir John disowns him, and Edward leaves the house forever. The chapter ends with a note that five years pass in silence.
Chapter 34
Chapter 33
On a wild, stormy night in early 1780, the Maypole Inn provides a warm refuge for John Willet, Phil Parkes, Tom Cobb, and Solomon Daisy. After hours of silence, Solomon Daisy reveals that he has had a terrifying experience at the church: he forgot to wind the clock on the nineteenth of March, a date he has dreaded for twenty-seven years. As he tells his tale, he claims to have heard a voice among the graves, and the men are deeply unsettled, resolving to keep the matter quiet.
Chapter 35
Chapter 34
Old John Willet, determined to impress his landlord Mr. Haredale with his own importance, decides to visit the Warren late at night to report Solomon Daisy's tale. He rouses Hugh from his sleep to escort him through the dark and stormy night. Upon arrival, they are admitted by Mr. Haredale, who listens to John's account with great agitation. Haredale instructs John to keep the story secret, fearing it would disturb Miss Haredale. As they leave, Hugh drinks a toast to the house, and they encounter three horsemen on the road.
Chapter 36
Chapter 35
John Willet and Hugh encounter a group of horsemen on the road to London, who turn out to be Lord George Gordon, his secretary Gashford, and his servant John Grueby. After a tense exchange, they decide to stay at the Maypole Inn. Lord George is portrayed as a melancholic, earnest figure, while Gashford is sly and obsequious. Hugh and John Grueby have a brief physical confrontation, and the party eventually arrives at the inn, where Lord George and Gashford warm themselves by the fire.
Chapter 37
Chapter 36
Gashford, the secretary of Lord George Gordon, observes his master with a mixture of deference and contempt. He reviews the Association's numbers and funds, noting contributions from various groups including Dennis the hangman and Simon Tappertit's 'United Bulldogs.' Lord George, troubled by doubts, seeks reassurance from Gashford, who manipulates his master's fervor. After Lord George falls asleep, Gashford secretly distributes handbills urging Protestants to join the cause.
Chapter 38
Chapter 37
Lord George Gordon, accompanied by his secretary Gashford, departs from the Maypole inn and rides toward London, drawing attention and cheers from the crowd with his calls of 'No Popery.' Meanwhile, Gashford meets with Dennis the hangman, discussing plans for a Protestant procession and hinting at Dennis's potential leadership role. Hugh arrives, and Gashford continues to manipulate both men for the cause.
Chapter 39
Chapter 38
Hugh, accompanied by Dennis, is initiated into the Great Protestant Association. They visit The Boot tavern, where Hugh is enrolled as a member, and then survey the Houses of Parliament, observing the covert distribution of handbills and the secretive network of conspirators preparing for the riots.
Chapter 40
Chapter 39
At The Boot, Hugh and Dennis entertain the crowd with a dance, and the arrival of Simon Tappertit and his United Bulldogs adds to the fervor. Hugh is introduced as a new member, and Tappertit, now a captain, tries to recall if he has seen Hugh before, but Hugh's laughter prevents recognition. The atmosphere is charged with conspiracy and anti-Popery sentiment, with pamphlets like 'The Thunderer' circulating and secretive meetings taking place.
Chapter 41
Chapter 40
Hugh, after a night of drinking and rioting, returns to Sir John Chester's chambers, where he is interrogated about his involvement with the Protestant Association and the mob. Sir John, secretly manipulating Hugh, learns of the rioters' plans and reflects on how to use the disturbances to his own advantage, particularly against his enemy Haredale. Hugh, eager for revenge and violence, pledges his loyalty to the cause, while Sir John remains outwardly calm and calculating.
Chapter 42
Chapter 41
The chapter opens with a domestic quarrel at the Varden household, where Miss Miggs, having overheard Gabriel's joke about a foreign black, explodes in a fit of tears and threatens to leave. Mrs. Varden manipulates the situation to secure her own ends, resulting in Dolly being forced to accompany her to a Protestant Association meeting. Gabriel, after dressing in his volunteer uniform, reflects on Joe Willet, causing Dolly to burst into tears and flee the room, leaving Gabriel bewildered and heading out to his military parade.
Chapter 43
Chapter 42
Mr. Haredale, tormented by a haunting purpose, confides in Gabriel Varden his intention to spend nights in the abandoned house of Mrs. Rudge, seeking to uncover a mystery that has plagued him since the night of the storm. Meanwhile, the Royal East London Volunteers, with Gabriel as a sergeant, parade through London, and Gabriel returns to find Mr. Haredale waiting for him. They ride together, and Haredale reveals his obsession, leading Gabriel to accompany him to the shuttered house, where the atmosphere is heavy with memories of Barnaby, his mother, and Grip.
Chapter 44
Chapter 43
Mr. Haredale maintains a nightly vigil at the widow's house, watching for something unknown. Weeks pass with no change. One evening, he encounters a mob in Westminster, where he confronts Lord George Gordon and Gashford, denouncing their anti-Catholic rhetoric. The crowd turns violent, and Haredale is struck by a stone.
Chapter 45
Chapter 44
After the mob disperses, Gashford, nursing his bruises and wounded pride, follows two men to a squalid area known as the Green Lanes. He enters a mean hovel where Hugh and Dennis are drinking and smoking. Gashford reveals that he knows Hugh threw the stone that knocked him down, and he commends Hugh's spirit while cautioning patience. He then delivers a secret commission from Lord George Gordon: if violence becomes necessary, Hugh and Dennis are to punish Mr. Haredale without mercy, razing his house to the ground. The two men eagerly accept the mission, and Gashford departs, leaving them to drink his health.
Chapter 46
Chapter 45
Five years after the riots, Barnaby and his mother live in hiding under assumed names in a quiet country town. Barnaby, still mentally childlike, spends his days wandering with dogs and his raven Grip, while his mother works tirelessly. A blind man named Stagg arrives, revealing he knows their secret and has been sent by an unnamed friend to extort money from the widow, threatening to expose them if she refuses. He demands twenty pounds, leaving her to consider his proposal as he waits outside.
Chapter 47
Chapter 46
The blind man Stagg visits Barnaby and his mother, manipulating Barnaby with promises of wealth and adventure while pressuring the widow for money. She pays him six guineas to leave, but he demands more, giving her a week to gather the rest. Fearing for their safety, she decides they must flee their home and travel to London. Barnaby is excited by the prospect of change but saddened to leave his dogs behind.
Chapter 48
Chapter 47
The widow and Barnaby continue their journey toward London, relying on Grip's performances for money. They encounter a coarse country gentleman who insults them and treats Barnaby with contempt, but a servant secretly gives them a crown. Barnaby becomes preoccupied with the blind man's words about gold and crowds, hoping to meet him again in London. The widow worries about this fixation and hopes to lose their pursuer in the city's crowds.
Chapter 49
Chapter 48
Barnaby and his mother, having arrived in London, find themselves caught in the swell of a massive crowd heading to St. George's Fields for Lord George Gordon's Protestant petition. Despite his mother's desperate pleas, Barnaby is drawn to the excitement and is given a blue cockade by a stranger, then personally recruited by Lord George Gordon and Gashford, who dismiss the mother's warnings as female depravity. Barnaby joins the immense assembly, leaving his mother in anguish.
Chapter 50
Chapter 49
Barnaby and Hugh, caught up in the Gordon Riots, participate in a violent assault on the House of Commons. After the Riot Act is read and the military is called in, they narrowly escape capture. Hugh manipulates Barnaby's simple-minded devotion, promising him rewards and claiming to have secured his mother's safety. They flee to The Boot tavern, avoiding arrest.
Chapter 51
Chapter 50
After the day's riots, the tavern becomes a gathering place for the dispirited rioters. Simon Tappertit and Mr. Dennis arrive, with Dennis expressing disgust at the lack of spirit shown by the crowd. Gashford enters and reveals that the petition has been rejected, and the cause is lost. He manipulates Hugh and Barnaby into continuing the riots by suggesting that they will be arrested and hanged if they do nothing. He hints at targets—Catholic chapels—and the three rush out to lead the mob. The chapter ends with a vivid description of the rioters, including Barnaby, Hugh, and Dennis, carrying spoils from a destroyed chapel, and a widow's scream as they pass.
Chapter 52
Chapter 51
The riots subside for the night, but the threat remains. Gabriel Varden waits up with his wife and Miss Miggs, who is restless and irritating. Simon Tappertit returns home in a disheveled state, having been involved in the disturbances. Varden confronts him, but Simon is defiant. Later, Varden chases Simon after he flees, but loses him. Varden then destroys the protective paper Simon had brought, refusing to use it, and prepares to face any further trouble with courage.
Chapter 53
Chapter 52
On Sunday morning, Hugh and Dennis wake in a stable, discussing their plans for the next day's riot. They plot an expedition against a former friend of Barnaby's, intending to carry off a woman. Barnaby, unaware of their true intentions, stands sentry proudly, having been deceived into believing he guards the place as an honor. The chapter also reflects on the nature of mobs, their sudden formation and dispersal, and describes the rioters' activities on Saturday and Sunday, including their burning of Catholic items and Gashford's dissatisfaction with their progress.
Chapter 54
Chapter 53
Gashford, the secretary, meets with Hugh and Dennis in the stable where Barnaby stands guard. He reveals a royal proclamation offering a reward for the capture of the rioters, and mentions that Mr. Haredale is a key witness against them. Gashford incites Hugh and Dennis to take violent action against Haredale, reminding them of their earlier conversation. After they leave to join the mob, Gashford watches from Lord George Gordon's house as four separate parties of rioters march past, each heading to different parts of London to destroy property. The fourth party, led by Hugh, Dennis, and Simon Tappertit, passes silently, and Gashford spots Sir John Chester watching them from across the street. Later, Hugh returns to the stable, and Gashford informs him of the proclamation, though Hugh claims he already knew. Gashford subtly reveals he knows Hugh has been in contact with Sir John Chester, and again urges him to act against Haredale.
Chapter 55
Chapter 54
Rumors of the riots spread through the countryside, but old John Willet stubbornly refuses to believe them. His cronies, Solomon Daisy, Mr. Cobb, and Mr. Parkes, decide to walk to London to see for themselves, but John dismisses them. After they leave, John falls asleep and wakes to the sound of an approaching mob. The rioters, led by Hugh, descend upon the Maypole, ransacking the bar and destroying property. Hugh protects John from harm, but ultimately the mob decides to tie him up to keep him quiet while they continue their work.
Chapter 56
Chapter 55
The rioters, having destroyed the Maypole, advance to the Warren, where they break in and set fire to the house, causing chaos and destruction. John Willet, left alone in his ruined bar, sits in a state of shock, unable to respond to a mysterious stranger who enters through the window and questions him about the rioters' direction.
Chapter 57
Chapter 56
The Maypole cronies travel to London, hearing alarming reports of the riots. They encounter Mr. Haredale, who rides urgently toward a fire at his house. At the ruined Warren, Haredale confronts and captures the murderer Rudge, while old John Willet is found bound and dazed at the Maypole.
Chapter 58
Chapter 57
Barnaby Rudge stands guard alone at the stable, finding peace and joy in solitude after the riots. He dreams of his mother's happiness and pride in him. His raven Grip entertains him with cries of 'No Popery!' and other phrases. Lord George Gordon and his servant John Grueby approach; Lord George questions Barnaby, who shows devotion and innocence. Grueby bluntly calls Barnaby mad, leading to a heated exchange where Lord George dismisses Grueby from his service. Later, soldiers arrive, and despite Barnaby's brave resistance, he is overpowered and captured.
Chapter 59
Chapter 58
Barnaby is taken to the barracks and confined in a dark cell. He overhears two soldiers discussing his fate, one of whom suggests he should be shot without a magistrate's intervention. Barnaby pleads for his pet raven Grip, but is ignored. He is later marched back to the parade ground where he is held among a larger body of soldiers.
Chapter 60
Chapter 59
Hugh returns to his companions after the attack on the Warren, and they celebrate with stolen wine and food. Meanwhile, Dolly Varden and Emma Haredale are held captive in a carriage, terrified and hoping for rescue. Hugh enters the carriage and threatens them, and they are taken to a miserable cottage where Dennis makes lewd remarks. The chapter highlights the brutality and lawlessness of the rioters and the vulnerability of the two women.
Chapter 61
Chapter 60
Hugh, Simon Tappertit, and Mr. Dennis head to The Boot tavern but learn from a scout that it has been seized by constables and soldiers. They divert to Fleet Market, a filthy and crowded area where many rioters have gathered. There, they receive word that Barnaby has been captured and taken to Newgate Prison. Hugh rallies the crowd, and they swear a great oath to attack Newgate the following night, release their friends, and burn the jail to the ground.
Chapter 62
Chapter 61
On the same night, Mr. Haredale, with the sexton's help, binds his prisoner and transports him to Chigwell, seeking a conveyance to London. The villagers, fearing the rioters' vengeance, refuse to assist, but a postboy helps harness the chaise. They travel through the night, encountering Catholic families fleeing the city and hearing of the panic that prevents them from hiring transport. They reach the Mansion House, where a portly old gentleman pleads with the Lord Mayor for protection, but the Lord Mayor offers only an alderman. Haredale then takes the prisoner to Sir John Fielding, who commits him to Newgate. Haredale watches the prisoner be chained and locked away, then feels the weight of anxiety for those left behind.
Chapter 63
Chapter 62
The prisoner, left alone in his cell, sinks into a state of vague reflection and guilt. The blind man, Stagg, visits him and learns how he was captured at Chigwell, where he had gone to join the mob and was confronted by the man who has haunted him for twenty-eight years. Stagg proposes a scheme to the prisoner: he will approach the prisoner's wife and offer to secure her son Barnaby's safety in exchange for her sworn testimony that the prisoner is not her husband, thus saving him from the murder charge. The prisoner clings to this gleam of hope, and after Stagg leaves, he is allowed to walk in the prison yard, where he hears a voice singing and sees a shadow, suggesting the presence of another prisoner.
Chapter 64
Chapter 63
As the military pours into London, the rioters grow bolder, and the crowd becomes the law. A vast mob assembles in Lincoln's Inn Fields and divides into parties, with the largest group destined for Newgate. Before the attack, Hugh and Dennis, with Simon Tappertit, lead a contingent to the Golden Key, the locksmith's shop. They demand Gabriel Varden's services, but he defies them from an upper window. Miss Miggs, who has been hiding on the roof, creates a distraction by calling out to Simon. The mob breaks in, seizes Varden, and takes him to the head of the crowd. They then march on Newgate, with the locksmith in their midst.
Chapter 65
Chapter 64
The mob, led by Hugh and Dennis, confronts the jailer Mr. Akerman at Newgate Prison, demanding the release of their imprisoned friends. Gabriel Varden, the locksmith, is forced to the front but refuses to pick the prison lock, even under threat. The mob then attacks the prison, setting the door on fire and eventually breaking through, while prisoners inside cry out in terror, especially those condemned to die. The scene is one of chaos and violence as the prison is engulfed in flames.
Chapter 66
Chapter 65
As the Gordon Riots reach their peak, the jail becomes a scene of chaos and terror. The murderer, isolated in his cell, is consumed by a fear that the mob has come for him, and he suffers a torment worse than any punishment. The rioters break into the prison, freeing prisoners in a frenzy of violence and fire. The hangman, Dennis, deliberately locks himself in the condemned cells, ignoring the pleas of the four men under sentence of death. Amidst the chaos, Barnaby and his father are released and swept into the crowd, while the prison burns behind them.
Chapter 67
Chapter 66
Mr. Haredale spends the entire day searching for his missing niece, Emma, but finds no trace of her. He receives some consolation from a government minister who promises that the authorities will suppress the riots and seek justice for the Catholics. Exhausted and homeless, he is refused lodging at an inn due to fear of the rioters. While wandering the streets, he hears that Newgate Prison is being attacked, and he rushes there, hoping to confront the man he believes murdered his brother. He is rescued from the crowd by the old distiller and John Grueby, who take him to the distiller's house. There, he collapses and is treated by a surgeon. Throughout the night, the distiller and his scouts report on the escalating riots, including the burning of Lord Mansfield's house and the destruction of his library, as well as attacks on other properties.
Chapter 68
Chapter 67
The morning after the riots reveals a city transformed by fear and military occupation. London is under martial law with soldiers posted throughout, and the mob continues its reign of terror, delivering threats and collecting money. The authorities finally issue a proclamation to use force, and as night falls, the rioters, led by the seemingly invincible Hugh on horseback, make repeated, ferocious attacks, including on the vintner's house where Mr. Haredale is discovered and targeted.
Chapter 69
Chapter 68
Barnaby and his father escape from the riots, hiding in a shed near Finchley. Barnaby tends to his father, then goes to find the blind man, but the city is in chaos. He finds Hugh wounded and brings him away from the burning streets, witnessing the horrific deaths from drinking flaming spirits.
Chapter 70
Chapter 70
Mr. Dennis, having escaped the riots unscathed, visits the house where Dolly, Miss Haredale, and Miss Miggs are confined. He schemes with Miss Miggs to abduct Dolly, planning to have her taken away by a fellow rioter to avoid her testifying against him. Miss Miggs, feigning deafness, agrees to the plan, while Dolly, unaware, tries to comfort her.
Chapter 71
Chapter 71
Emma Haredale, Dolly, and Miggs remain imprisoned, noting a change in their captors' behavior from boisterous to subdued. Dolly, the object of Hugh and Tappertit's desire, begins to fade and droop like a flower, while Emma bears herself with calm fortitude. A stranger arrives, claiming to have saved Mr. Haredale and offering to rescue Emma, but Dolly distrusts him. Emma is torn between accepting his help and staying with Dolly. The chapter ends with the rescue of the women by Gabriel Varden, Mrs. Varden, Edward Chester, and Joe, who take them to safety, leaving the injured Simon Tappertit behind.
Chapter 72
Chapter 72
Dolly Varden, still reeling from the recent riots, arrives at the Black Lion inn with her parents, where they are reunited with Edward Chester and Joe Willet. Old John Willet struggles to comprehend his son's lost arm, repeatedly confirming the fact with slow, comical deliberation. Later, alone with Dolly, Joe confesses his enduring love, but accepts his poverty and disability, blessing her and leaving her to reflect on her newfound feelings.
Chapter 73
Chapter 73
In the prison, Barnaby and his mother share a tender but sorrowful conversation. Barnaby, unaware of the full truth, speaks of his father with hope, but his mother reveals that his father has shed blood and that she has tried to keep them apart. She urges Barnaby to deny any knowledge of his father if questioned. Later, Mrs. Rudge confronts her husband in his cell, pleading with him to confess his crime and seek penitence, but he rejects her with anger and curses. The chapter closes with the aftermath of the riots: the city begins to recover, more rioters are captured, and Lord George Gordon is arrested and taken to the Tower, abandoned by his followers.
Chapter 74
Chapter 74
Mr. Dennis is arrested and taken to Newgate, where he is placed in a cell with Hugh. Despite his initial fear, Dennis tries to console himself with thoughts of his importance as hangman. In the cell, he attempts to befriend Hugh, who is bitter and resentful, having learned that his mother was hanged. Hugh rejects Dennis's overtures, and Dennis, fearing Hugh's violence, tries to appease him by discussing the possibility of escape or a favorable trial.
Chapter 75
Chapter 75
A month after the riots, Sir John Chester breakfasts in bed, reflecting on the fates of the condemned rioters, including Hugh and Barnaby. Gabriel Varden visits to reveal that Hugh is Sir John's illegitimate son, born of a gipsy woman whom Sir John abandoned, and who was executed for passing forged notes. Varden urges Sir John to see his son before the execution, but Sir John remains unmoved and dismissive.
Chapter 76
Chapter 76
As the hour of execution approaches, Barnaby and his mother share a final, poignant evening in the prison courtyard. Hugh displays defiant bravado, while Dennis, the hangman, is consumed by abject terror and pleads for any hope of reprieve. The locksmith, Gabriel Varden, reflects on his failed efforts to save Barnaby and the harsh reality of the law's relentless march toward the gallows.
Chapter 77
Chapter 77
The chapter depicts the executions of the rioters, focusing on Hugh's defiant final moments, Barnaby's childlike acceptance, and Dennis's desperate pleas for mercy. It also reflects on the injustice of the punishments, noting that the weakest and most miserable suffered the most, while the crowd's attention was drawn to the spectacle.
Chapter 78
Chapter 78
Old John Willet sits by the fire at the Black Lion, finally conceiving the idea that he might claim compensation from the public purse for the damage to the Maypole. His son Joe enters and tells him of his plan to go to the West Indies with Edward Chester, having lost an arm in the war. Dolly Varden then bursts in, confesses her love for Joe, and they become engaged. Old John is utterly bewildered by these events and eventually goes out for a walk.
Chapter 79
Chapter 79
Barnaby Rudge is rescued from execution at the last moment, thanks to the tireless efforts of Gabriel Varden, Mr. Haredale, and Edward Chester, who secured a free pardon from the King. Gabriel brings Barnaby home to the Golden Key, where he is joyfully reunited with his mother. The chapter then shifts to a somber scene as Edward Chester oversees the midnight burial of his brother, Hugh, in an unmarked grave. Later, Mr. Haredale, having reconciled with Edward, gives his blessing to Edward's marriage to Emma, revealing his plans to retire to a foreign cloister.
Chapter 80
Chapter 80
In this chapter, the Varden household is filled with joy and celebration as Dolly and Joe Willet return from their walk, and the family enjoys a merry tea together. The locksmith, Gabriel Varden, is in high spirits, and the couple's happiness is evident. However, Miss Miggs, the maid, becomes upset and decides to leave the household, feeling that her services are no longer appreciated. Despite Mrs. Varden's initial anger, the locksmith gives Miggs a banknote as a parting gift, and she departs with her nephew, leaving the family to their joyful reunion.
Chapter 81
Chapter 81
Mr. Haredale, having parted from his niece, returns to London for a final visit to his ruined home. He encounters Sir John Chester at the ruins, and a heated confrontation ensues. Haredale accuses Chester of orchestrating the destruction and the abduction of his niece, and strikes him. Chester draws his sword, but Haredale refuses to fight that night, warning him to be warned in time.
Chapter 82
Chapter the Last
The final chapter ties up the fates of the remaining characters. Mr. Haredale flees to a monastery and dies there. Sir John Chester's body is found, and his valet elopes with his possessions but dies of jail fever. Lord George Gordon is tried for high treason but acquitted, later imprisoned for libel, converts to Judaism, and dies in Newgate. John Willet remains mentally impaired, eventually dying after a stroke. Joe inherits his father's wealth and becomes a man of consequence. Barnaby recovers from his ordeal, becomes a happy and contented farmer, but never returns to London. Grip the raven regains his speech after a year of silence.
