Bellarion the Fortunate · Chapter
XII: Visconti Faith explained
Facino Cane is astonished when his wife Beatrice arrives unexpectedly, escorted by Giovanni Pusterla of Venegono, a member of the Pusterla family persecuted by Duke Gian Maria Visconti.
What happens
Facino Cane is astonished when his wife Beatrice arrives unexpectedly, escorted by Giovanni Pusterla of Venegono, a member of the Pusterla family persecuted by Duke Gian Maria Visconti. They reveal that the Duke has married Antonia Malatesta and appointed her father Pandolfo Malatesta as Governor of Milan, effectively betraying Facino. The city is in turmoil, with Gabriello Visconti besieged in the Castle of Porta Giovia and Ghibellines under threat. Facino, realizing the treachery, vows to make the Visconti pay once his leg heals.
Themes in this chapter
Loyalty and Betrayal
Facino's long loyalty to the Visconti is met with betrayal as the Duke allies with the Malatesta and sets a price on his head.
Ambition and Power
Beatrice's covert exultation reveals her ambition for empire, even at the cost of her husband's heartbreak.
War and Strategy
The political and military maneuvering in Milan, including the siege of Porta Giovia and the Guelph-Ghibelline conflict.
Characters to notice
- Facino Cane
Ailing with a leg injury, shocked by news of the Duke's betrayal and the Malatesta takeover.
- Beatrice
Facino's wife, who fled Milan for safety and brings the dire news, revealing her ambition for empire.
- Giovanni Pusterla
Cousin of the executed castellan of Monza, escorts Beatrice and delivers the account of Milan's upheaval.
- Francesco Busone da Carmagnola
Present as the one who ushered Beatrice and Pusterla into Facino's chamber.
- Filippo Maria Visconti
Referenced as the Duke Gian Maria, whose treacherous actions have led to the current crisis.
- Gabriello Maria Visconti
Besieged in the Castle of Porta Giovia by Malatesta's forces, with a price on his head.
- Antonio della Torre
Implied as the guiding brain behind the Duke's betrayal, continuing the Torriani-Visconti struggle.
- Pandolfo
Pandolfo Malatesta, created Governor of Milan after his daughter's marriage to the Duke.
Key passages
“If Facino Cane’s eyes grew wide in astonishment to see his countess ushered into that mean chamber by Carmagnola, wider still did they grow to behold the man who accompanied her and to consider their inexplicable conjunction.”
Facino was shocked not only to see his wife enter the humble room with Carmagnola, but even more so to see the man with her, whose presence seemed impossible.
Sets up the dramatic revelation of Giovanni Pusterla's arrival.
“I am the last of all those condottieri who were Gian Galeazzo’s brothers-in-arms; the last of those who helped him build up the great state which his degenerate son daily dishonours.”
Facino laments that he is the final surviving commander who fought alongside Gian Galeazzo Visconti, watching his son ruin the empire they built.
Highlights Facino's sense of loyalty and disillusionment.
“Let God but heal this leg of mine, and from my hands the Visconti shall eat the fruits of treachery until they choke them.”
Facino vows that once his leg heals, he will make the Visconti suffer the consequences of their betrayal.
Facino's solemn oath, marking a turning point in his allegiance.
