Rumpole of the Bailey interest in nineteenth-century anarchists, especially the Russian Peter Kropotkin from whom the title of the play was drawn. The character's name was later changed to Horace Rumpole when it was discovered that there was a real barrister called Horace Rumbold. The title of the play was briefly changed to "Jolly Old Jean Jacques Rousseau" before settling on the less esoteric "Rumpole of the Bailey". Mortimer was keen on Michael Hordern for the role of Rumpole. When Hordern proved unavailable, the part went to Australian-born actor Leo McKern. Mortimer was initially unenthusiastic about McKern's casting but changed his opinion upon seeing
Leo of Synada Leo of Synada Leo of Synada (ca. 940 – after 998) was a Byzantine cleric, diplomat and writer of the late 10th century. Born ca. 940, Leo served as "synkellos" before becoming metropolitan bishop of Synada in Phrygia. In 996–998, he was sent as an envoy to the Pope in Rome along with a certain Kalokyros. During this embassy, Leo supported the antipope John Philagathos, despite his strong personal dislike of the man. Leo was also involved in a mission to the court of "Frankia" (the Holy Roman Empire under Otto III) to negotiate a marriage alliance with Constantinople. Leo