Henry Purfois

The Honourable Henry Purfois is one of the three pupils Strange intends to educate as magicians before the loss of his wife drives him abroad. (The others are Tom Levy and William Hadley-Bright).

Purfois, second son of Lord Chaldecott[49], is a tall and good-looking young man[50]. Discussing his ideas for their education with Sir Walter Pole Strange describes Purfois and the other two as "very promising", though he adds that Henry has read a little too much of the second-rate literature on magic and in consequence his conversation is a little tedious[49]. Purfois has certainly read about the magic of Dr. Pale, for in the crisis following Gilbert Norrell's suppression of Strange's book he suggests using one of Pale's spells[50]. He also seems quite reluctant to give up the idea of calling out Norrell for his actions over Strange's book, which may indicate a bloodthirsty character - but more probably, he has romancy notions of the so-called 'honour' of duelling[50]. When it is represented to him that Mr. Norrell's age makes such a course impossible he abandons it.