# V explained — Eminent Victorians

> Chapter companion for Eminent Victorians by Lytton Strachey.

## What happens

This chapter details Cardinal Manning's conversion to Roman Catholicism, his rapid rise within the Church, and the ensuing conflict between the 'Old Catholics' and the new converts, particularly over control of St. Edmund's College and the direction of English Catholicism.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Authority

The chapter explores the struggle for authority within the Roman Catholic Church in England, between the Old Catholics and the new converts, and the role of the Pope and Cardinal Wiseman.

### Ambition and Worldly Success

Manning's rapid rise from a middle-aged neophyte to Archbishop of Westminster is depicted as a result of his ambition and strategic maneuvering.

### Critique of Victorian Hypocrisy

The chapter implicitly critiques the hypocrisy of the Church of England and the social maneuvering within the Catholic community, as well as the superficiality of some religious practices.

## Character check-ins

### Cardinal Manning

Manning converts to Roman Catholicism, is placed in the Accademia Ecclesiastica, becomes head of the Oblates of St. Charles and Provost of the Chapter of Westminster, and becomes a central figure in the struggle with the Old Catholics.

### Cardinal Wiseman

Wiseman, the newly created Archbishop of Westminster, seeks to reanimate the Roman Catholic community, appoints Manning to key positions, and is portrayed as a genial but ineffective figure whose policies provoke conflict.

### John Henry Newman

Newman is mentioned as a more illustrious convert who was relegated to obscurity, and as a figure whose followers Wiseman sympathizes with.

### W. G. Ward

Ward, a convert not in holy orders, is appointed Professor of Theology at St. Edmund's College by Wiseman, sparking Old Catholic unease.

### Dr. Errington

Errington, an Old Catholic and Wiseman's coadjutor, becomes a fierce opponent of Manning, leading the resistance against the Oblates' control of St. Edmund's.

### Pius IX

Pius IX appoints Manning to the Accademia Ecclesiastica, grants him special privileges, and is depicted as having a persuasive and innocent manner.

### Reverend Mr. Gorham

The Gorham judgment is referenced as a factor that made the Anglican bishopric less appealing to Manning.

### Monsignor Talbot

Talbot is mentioned as a personage of the Papal court with whom Manning became acquainted.

## Key lines

> What an escape for my poor soul!

Manning exclaimed that his soul was lucky to have avoided becoming a bishop in the Church of England.

_This quote illustrates Manning's view of the Anglican bishopric as inferior to his position in the Roman Catholic Church._

> Then, Mr. Tierney, you think me insincere.

Manning angrily accused Mr. Tierney of doubting his sincerity when told his Anglican orders were invalid.

_This shows Manning's initial difficulty in accepting the Roman Catholic view of Anglican orders._

> You may let the procession go on. I have just obtained permission, by special revelation, to proceed with it.

Cardinal Wiseman humorously claimed a special revelation to override the Master of Ceremonies' halt order.

_This anecdote highlights Wiseman's genial and somewhat whimsical character._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters/v
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/eminent_victorians_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/eminent_victorians_se/chapters