# I: Bullhampton explained — The Vicar of Bullhampton

> Chapter companion for The Vicar of Bullhampton by Anthony Trollope.

## What happens

The chapter introduces the village of Bullhampton in Wiltshire, its geography, history, and key inhabitants. It describes the church, the mill owned by the Brattle family, the squire Harry Gilmore, the vicar Mr. Fenwick and his wife Janet, and the arrival of Mary Lowther, who is rumored to be engaged to Gilmore.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Social Power

The chapter details the social hierarchy: the Marquis of Trowbridge, Squire Gilmore, the vicar, and the miller, highlighting power dynamics and land ownership.

### Community and Gossip

The villagers' speculation about Mary Lowther's engagement to Gilmore illustrates the role of gossip in Bullhampton.

### Religious Conflict and Toleration

The rivalry between Mr. Fenwick (Church of England) and Mr. Puddleham (Primitive Methodists) is introduced as a central tension.

## Character check-ins

### Harry Gilmore

Introduced as the squire of Bullhampton, a man of about thirty-three, liberal in politics, fond of books and shooting, and unmarried.

### Mr. Fenwick

The popular vicar of Bullhampton, married to Janet, father of four children, and engaged in a friendly rivalry with the dissenting minister Mr. Puddleham.

### Janet Fenwick

The vicar's wife, described as a good specimen of a country parson's wife, gay, good-looking, and practical.

### Mary Lowther

A young woman staying at the vicarage, rumored to be engaged to Harry Gilmore. Described as tall, with dark brown hair and grey eyes.

### George Brattle

The miller, referred to as Jacob Brattle, who is at odds with his landlord over mill repairs.

### Mr. Puddleham

The dissenting minister of the Primitive Methodists, considered earnest but ignorant by Mr. Fenwick.

## Key lines

> The people of Bullhampton are notoriously slow to learn, and slow to forget.

The inhabitants of Bullhampton are known for being resistant to change and holding onto old ways.

_This sets the tone for the conservative nature of the village._

> Mr. Fenwick took it on his marriage, when he was about twenty-seven, and Bullhampton has been lucky.

Mr. Fenwick became vicar at age twenty-seven upon marrying, and the parish has benefited from his tenure.

_Highlights Fenwick's positive impact on the community._

> He is a man with a good heart, and a pure mind, generous, desirous of being just, somewhat sparing of that which is his own, never desirous of that which is another's.

Gilmore is a kind, honest, and fair man, though careful with his money and not covetous of others' possessions.

_Establishes Gilmore's moral character early in the story._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters/i-bullhampton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_vicar_of_bullhampton_se/chapters