# The Bishop's Angel explained — The Last Chronicle of Barset

> Chapter companion for The Last Chronicle of Barset by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

Mr. Thumble arrives at the Crawley home bearing a letter from the bishop demanding that Mr. Crawley allow him to take over the Sunday services. Mr. Crawley firmly refuses, asserting his legal and moral right to his pulpit, and writes a defiant reply. The chapter highlights the tension between ecclesiastical authority and individual conscience, as well as the Crawleys' extreme poverty.

## Themes in this chapter

### Clergy and Morality

Mr. Crawley's refusal to obey the bishop highlights the moral conflict between ecclesiastical authority and personal conscience.

### Poverty and Suffering

The Crawleys' extreme poverty is emphasized by Mr. Crawley's apology for lacking hospitality and the spavined cob used by Mr. Thumble.

### Pride and Humility

Mr. Crawley's proud defiance of the bishop contrasts with his humble acknowledgment of his household's poverty.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. Crawley

Defiantly refuses the bishop's command to surrender his pulpit, asserting his legal rights and duty to his parish.

### Mr. Thumble

Bishop's messenger who rides to Hogglestock on the grey cob, delivers the episcopal letter, and awkwardly waits for a reply.

### Mrs. Crawley

Anxiously present during the confrontation, she leaves the room to ease the tension but fears the bishop's interference.

### Jane Crawley

Spots Mr. Thumble at the gate and helps direct him to tie up his pony; later retires to the school.

## Key lines

> I cannot permit Mr. Thumble, or any other delegate from your lordship, to usurp my place in my pulpit.

Mr. Crawley tells the bishop that he will not allow anyone else to take over his church services.

_Central defiance of the bishop's authority._

> I have to ask your pardon, sir, because, by reason of the extreme poverty of this house, my wife is unable to offer to you that hospitality which is especially due from one clergyman to another.

Mr. Crawley apologizes that his poverty prevents him from offering proper hospitality to Mr. Thumble.

_Highlights the family's destitution._

> It is not in the power of the Crown itself to inhibit me from the performance of my ordinary duties

Mr. Crawley asserts that even the Crown cannot legally stop him from performing his clerical duties.

_Emphasizes his belief in the legal protection of his freehold rights._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters/xiii-the-bishop-s-angel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_last_chronicle_of_barset_se/chapters