VII: Prince of Valsassina explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Ambition and Power

  Bellarion's relentless drive to secure power for Filippo Maria and himself, using calculated manipulation and military strategy.

• Deception and Identity

  Bellarion's histrionic arguments and hidden motives, as he pretends to care for Gian Galeazzo's patrimony while actually targeting Theodore of Montferrat.

• Loyalty and Betrayal

  Carmagnola's unexpected support for Bellarion in the council, contrasting with his past opposition, and Bellarion's secret manipulation of alliances.

• War and Strategy

  Detailed military campaigns, sieges, and the strategic use of proclamations and garrisons to secure Milan and plan the recovery of Vercelli.

Characters to notice

• Bellarion

  Now Prince of Valsassina, he orchestrates Filippo Maria's marriage, leads military campaigns, and goads the Duke into action against Theodore of Montferrat.

• Filippo Maria Visconti

  Marries the Countess of Biandrate, enters Milan as Duke, rewards Bellarion, and is persuaded by Bellarion to pursue further conquests.

• Countess of Biandrate

  Marries Filippo Maria Visconti for ambition, unaware of the future danger from her younger husband.

• Francesco Busone da Carmagnola

  Commands troops in the siege of Milan, surprisingly supports Bellarion in the council, and is later asked by Bellarion to summon Princess Valeria.

• Estorre Visconti

  Defends Milan against Filippo Maria but is abandoned by his followers and forced to flee.

• Theodore of Montferrat

  Target of Bellarion's campaign; his occupation of Vercelli is deemed a threat to the duchy.

• Valeria of Montferrat

  Princess of Montferrat; Bellarion secretly arranges for her to be summoned to petition for Gian Giacomo's rule.

• Koenigshofen

  A condottiero who expresses unwavering support for Bellarion in the council.

Key passages

• “As Bellarion had calculated and disposed, so things fell out, and Filippo Maria Visconti in the twenty-second year of his age led to the altar the widowed Countess of Biandrate who was thirty-nine.”

  Everything happened exactly as Bellarion had planned, and Filippo Maria Visconti, at twenty-two, married the thirty-nine-year-old widowed Countess of Biandrate.

  Bellarion's foresight and manipulation lead to the political marriage.

• “Bellarion was not only confirmed in the lordship of Valsassina in feud, for himself and his heirs forever, but the Duke raised the fief into a principality.”

  Bellarion was granted permanent lordship of Valsassina, and the Duke elevated it to a principality.

  Bellarion's reward for his service to Filippo Maria.

• “Will you leave, in tranquil possession, the brigands who have encroached upon the glorious patrimony built up by your illustrious father? Will you dishonour his memory and be false to your name, Lord Duke?”

  Will you allow the brigands who have taken over your father's legacy to remain undisturbed? Will you betray his memory and your own honor, Lord Duke?

  Bellarion's histrionic argument to goad Filippo Maria into action.

• “I have no views that are not Bellarion's. I have followed him long enough to know that he's a safe man to follow.”

  I agree with whatever Bellarion says. I've followed him long enough to trust his judgment completely.

  Koenigshofen's unwavering loyalty to Bellarion in the council.

• “You will do a service in this matter, Ser Francesco, if you send word to Lady Valeria and her brother urging them to come at once to Milan and petition the Duke to place Gian Giacomo upon his throne.”

  You would help by asking Lady Valeria and her brother to come to Milan and request the Duke to restore Gian Giacomo to his rightful throne.

  Bellarion's secret plan to use Valeria to undermine Theodore's regency.