Written as a frame narrative, Godolphin provides a satirical insight into the day-to-day lives of the early 19th-century British elite.

The story is told through the narration of two protagonists, Percy Godolphin and Constance Vernon, as they rise to prominence among the London elite.

Godolphin was published two years after The Reform Bill passed which put an end to the exclusive high class in England.

[1] Godolphin was first published in 1834, two years after the Reform Bill of 1832 passed through the House of Lords, effectively putting an end to the rule of the British elite by greatly increasing the number of people allowed to vote.

The bill was opposed by most members of the House of Lords but eventually passed due to overwhelming public support.

The public received the original print very well, but it was met with backlash by the elite due to its calling out specific politicians who found against the bill.

[1] The novel opens with a deathbed scene in which a man named John Vernon is relaying his dying wishes to his daughter, Constance.

Just before he dies he makes the thirteen-year-old daughter, Constance, swear an oath to marry a high-class powerful man in order to seek revenge on his old political party.

Upon arriving at the “ruins” of the Godolphin estate Constance briefly spots Percy standing by a creek lost in deep thought and is immediately infatuated with him.

A few months later Percy hears that Constance is to marry Lord Erpingham, this distresses him to the point where he decides to pack up and leave the country.

Constance is working to gain social influence within her husband's political party, she proves to be very adept at this and before long she is admired by the entirety of the British elite in London.

Through an extended flashback we now learn of Percy's time in Rome just after he left the company of Seville five years earlier.

In Rome, Percy learns that Lord Erpingham has died in a horse-riding accident, leaving Constance widowed.

After a few years have passed, Constance hears of a woman who claims to be a mystic and is visited by many politicians and other members of the British elite asking for guidance.

Out of love for Constance Percy forgoes his own political beliefs and votes for the reform bill that would dismantle the British elite.

As the ball is about to begin a letter informs Godolphin that Lucilla is on her deathbed in a town just four miles away and she wishes to see him one last time before she dies.

His horse returns riderless to Constance and the next morning Percy Godolphin's body is discovered in the shallows of the ford.

This theme explores the growing trend towards idealism coming from The Enlightenment, showing that if a person's head is not grounded in reality they will be doomed to constant disappointment when life does not live up to their idealistic standards.

Percy is given the mission of restoring their family estate to its former glory, while Constance is made to swear that she will avenge her father's political downfall.

A review published in the journal Athenaeum praised Godolphin for its clever satire, upbeat drama, romance, and a delineation of character that was not commonplace at the time.

The review specifically praises Mr. Saville's deathbed scene, calling it “a masterpiece.”[4] But The Literary Gazette criticized the novel for its long-winded prose, which did not lead to conclusions.

Bulwer-Lytton was a very liberal politician at the time and the original version of Godolphin was a celebration of the passing of The Reform Bill in parliament.