Bellarion the Fortunate · Chapter
VIII: The Battle of Travo explained
Facino Cane's army, initially in retreat, executes a strategic plan devised by Bellarion to trap Buonterzo's forces at the ford of Travo.
What happens
Facino Cane's army, initially in retreat, executes a strategic plan devised by Bellarion to trap Buonterzo's forces at the ford of Travo. Bellarion and his hundred Swiss crossbowmen hold the ford against Buonterzo's attacks, buying time for Facino to complete a flanking maneuver. Facino's cavalry, led by de Cadillac, charges through the enemy, and the battle ends in a decisive victory for Facino, with thousands of prisoners and rich booty. However, Bellarion is believed killed in the wood, and Facino mourns him as the architect of the victory.
Themes in this chapter
War and Strategy
The entire chapter revolves around Bellarion's strategic plan to hold the ford and Facino's flanking maneuver, demonstrating tactical brilliance and the importance of deception in warfare.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Bellarion's self-sacrifice and loyalty to Facino are highlighted, as he risks his life to execute the plan, while Buonterzo's forces show disloyalty in their panicked flight.
Fortune and Fate
The reversal of fortune from Facino's apparent retreat to his decisive victory, and Bellarion's presumed death, underscore the role of fate in the battle's outcome.
Characters to notice
- Bellarion
Leads the hundred Swiss crossbowmen in holding the ford at Travo, executing his own strategic plan; presumed dead after the battle.
- Facino Cane
Commands the overall army, executes Bellarion's plan by circling around to attack Buonterzo from the rear; mourns Bellarion's apparent death.
- Francesco Busone da Carmagnola
Assumes command after the battle, reports the victory and booty to Facino.
- Werner von Stoffel
Reports the death of the wounded Swiss and is sent by Facino to recover Bellarion's body.
- Ottone Buonterzo
Commands the opposing army, leads the attack on the ford, and later flees the battle.
- Koenigshofen
Commands one of Facino's battles, deals with fugitives attempting to ascend the valley.
Key passages
“The morning sunlight falling across the valley flashed on the arms of Buonterzo’s vanguard, on the heights, even as Facino’s rearguard went splashing through the ford, which at its deepest did not come above the bellies of the horses or the breasts of Bellarion’s hundred Swiss, who, with arbalests above their heads, to keep the cords dry, were the last to cross.”
At dawn, Buonterzo's vanguard gleamed in the sun on the heights while Facino's rearguard crossed the shallow ford, with Bellarion's Swiss holding their crossbows high to keep them dry.
Sets the scene for the battle, emphasizing the strategic positioning and the careful preparation of Bellarion's men.
“It was his victory. His was the mind that conceived the plan which turned disaster into success. His the gallantry and self-sacrifice that made the plan possible.”
Facino declares that Bellarion's strategic mind and bravery were the true causes of their victory.
Facino's tribute to Bellarion underscores the theme of strategy and sacrifice.