# A Great Man Attends to Business explained — Lorna Doone

> Chapter companion for Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore.

## What happens

John Ridd, having witnessed the execution of Lord Russell, seeks to resolve his legal summons in London. He encounters a kindly lawyer who sympathizes with his plight, then finally appears before the fearsome Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys. Jeffreys berates the corrupt officer Spank, orders John to be compensated, and promises to see justice done. John receives money from the frightened lawyer Kitch and is left awaiting further proceedings.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Revenge

John Ridd seeks justice for his wrongful detention, while Lord Jeffreys dispenses a harsh, personal form of justice against the corrupt officer Spank.

### Social Class and Inequality

John, a simple farmer's son, is caught in the legal machinery of London, highlighting the power imbalance between common folk and the aristocratic legal system.

## Character check-ins

### John Ridd

Narrator and protagonist; he witnesses Lord Russell's execution, navigates the legal system in London, and finally confronts Lord Jeffreys.

### Lord Jeffreys

The fearsome Lord Chief Justice who takes an interest in John's case, berates the corrupt officer Spank, and promises to see justice done.

### Jeremy Stickles

Mentioned as the special messenger who brought John to London.

### Mr. Spank

The corrupt chief officer of evidence who is threatened by Lord Jeffreys for mishandling John's case.

### Mistress Ridd

John's mother, mentioned as keeping him financially during his stay in London.

## Key lines

> Having seen Lord Russell murdered in the fields of Lincoln’s Inn, or rather having gone to see it, but turned away with a sickness and a bitter flood of tears⁠—for a whiter and a nobler neck never fell before low beast⁠—I strode away towards Westminster, cured of half my indignation at the death of Charles the First.

John witnessed the execution of Lord Russell but was so overcome by horror and pity that he turned away, feeling that the sight had tempered his anger about the execution of King Charles I.

_John's emotional response to Lord Russell's execution and its effect on his views of historical justice._

> I will overlook thy head, foul Spank, on a spike from Temple Bar, if ever I hear of the like again. Vile varlet, what art thou paid for? Thou hast swindled the money thyself, foul Spank; I know thee, though thou art new to me.

Lord Jeffreys threatens to have Spank's head displayed on a spike if he ever mistreats a witness again, accusing him of stealing the money meant for John.

_Jeffreys' brutal and corrupt style of justice, using intimidation to control his subordinates._

> Possession is nine points of it, which thou hast of me. Self-possession is the tenth, and that thou hast more than the other nine.

The lawyer Kitch flatters John by saying he has both the money (possession) and the composure (self-possession) to succeed in law.

_Kitch's attempt to escape John's grip by paying him off and offering a compliment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters/xxv-a-great-man-attends-to-business
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/lorna_doone_se/chapters