Snodgrove, Duke of

The Duke of Snodgrove is a minor character in Soulless and a major one in Poison or Protect. He owns half of Berkshire, but is notorious for underspending on his wife's balls. He hosts the ball at which Alexia is attacked at the beginning of Soulless. 
His country house is Bickerstung Manor, built int he neo-Palladian style. 
== Appearance ==
The Duke is described as tall, stooped, and lined. None of his lines came from smiling. 
== Personality ==
He is known to be a very devout and stoic man. He is pragmatic in regards to his daughters looks and abilities to attract men outside of their fortune. 
== History ==
He is the father of Violet Bicker-Harrow, Lionel Bicker-Harrow, Florence Bicker-Harrow and other unnamed living children. His middle son, unnamed, is in the calvary. He has had four children precede him to the grave, most recently Formerly Constance Bicker-Harrow. He has met with both werewolves and vampires for business in town, it is implied due to his interest in technological advancement.Poison or Protect, Chapter Four: Dangling Feet and Participles 
== In the books ==
=== Poison or Protect ===
The Duke of Snodgove threw a house party. In an effort to separate his eldest daughter, Lady Violet, from Mr. Jackson, he hires Lady Preshea Villentia to end their relationship one way or another. Unbeknownst to him, rivals are planning an assassination attempt against him at the party, leading the vampires to hire Preshea and the werewolves to hire Captain Ruthven to protect him. The first horse ride during the party, an assaisain attempts to shoot the Duke. He misses due to Preshea's intervention and the remaining time at the house party is quiet. Preshea succeeds in detering Violet from accepting Mr. Jackson's suit, and the Duke of Snodgrove safely makes it back to town. 
=== Soulless ===
The ball Alexia Tarabotti attends at the beginning of Soulless is thrown by the Duke and his wife.
== Quotes ==
* "'The Duke of Snodgrove is notoriously reticent about any additional expenditure at his wife's balls. Victuals were probably not on the list of acceptable offerings.' He sighed. 'The man owns half of Berkshire and cannot even provide a decent sandwich.'" (Soulless, Chapter One)
* "'Well, the article continues on with a more extensice review of the ball. Goodness, the writer even criticizes the Duchess of Snodgrove for not providing refreshments." (Soulless, Chapter Two)
* “A private dirigible awaited them outside the station. The Duke of Snodgrove, a consummate host, had seen fit to provide the most modern conveyance.” (Poison or Protect, Chapter One)
* “The duke was one of those remarkable politicians who looked exactly like his caricature – tall, stooped, and lined.” (Poison or Protect, Chapter One)
* “The Duke of Snodgrove is known for his devout leanings.” (Poison or Protect, Chapter One)
*"But this one was frozen solid, and none of his lines were from smiling. His clothes were somber and his neck-cloth tight with Biblical starch. He was lousy with virtuous living and the kind of Christian goodness that delights in self sacrifice. (Poison or Protect, Chapter Two)
* “Oh yes, Father can be quite avant-garde. Not in his faith, of course, but he does have some progressive leanings. Hides them well, poor thing, but can’t seem to stop.” (Poison or Protect, Chapter Four)
* “Knowing the duke’s lack of subtlety, he would ensure Preshea was seated next to Mr Jackson at supper. ” (Poison or Protect, Chapter Four)
* “The duke was pacing about – calling for the constabulary, his steward, the local magistrate, his scrivener, the town butcher, his favorite hound, and anyone else he could think of in any position of authority.” (Poison or Protect, Chapter Ten)
*"I don't know why Lord Snodgrove keeps going on about educating the masses." - Countess Nadasy (Romancing the Inventor, Chapter Five)
== Trivia ==
* His house is in Mayfair, next to the Hypocras Club. Soulless, Chapter 2 
*He keeps a dirigible.
*He is friends with Mr. Jackon's father until he gambled away his fortune and killed himself. They went to Oxford together. Poison or Protect, Chapter Two: A Most Inferior Assignment
*He seems horrified at the idea Captain Ruthven could be gay, but tries to hide his discomfort in front of Lord Akeldama (well known for being gay). 
*As a progressive Tory with oratory skills and political sway, the supernaturals of England have a vested interest in keeping him alive. To this end, they hire protection for him against assassination attempts. 
*It is believed it was the Fenians who were behind the assassination attempts. 
== References ==
Category:Characters
Category:Parasol Protectorate characters
Category:Parasolverse Characters