Fitzclarence was an extreme conservative opposed to Protector Benjamin IX's reforms, and an open enemy of fellow steadholder Honor Harrington, who in his opinion had no right to hold the office because she was a woman and a foreigner. After his ally, Brother Marchant, was banned by the Sacristy, he refused to allow the new minister to take his place and restored Marchant. He then conspired with Steadholder Mueller to sabotage the Grayson Sky Domes, Ltd. project in Mueller Steading to discredit Steadholder Harrington. The resulting collapse of the dome covering Winston Mueller Middle School caused the death of eighty-two people, including thirty children.