Bellarion the Fortunate · Chapter
XIII: The Occupation of Casale explained
Bellarion occupies Casale without resistance, proclaiming himself captain-general of the army of the young Marquis Gian Giacomo.
What happens
Bellarion occupies Casale without resistance, proclaiming himself captain-general of the army of the young Marquis Gian Giacomo. He forces the Council of Ancients to swear fealty to the rightful prince, issues strict orders to his troops to maintain order, and writes a letter to Princess Valeria explaining that all his actions over five years have been in her service. Valeria and Gian Giacomo arrive to popular acclaim; Valeria apologizes for her past mistrust. News arrives that Marquis Theodore has broken through Carmagnola's siege and is marching on Casale with 4,000–5,000 men. Bellarion orders the army to march out to meet him beyond the Po.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Identity
Bellarion's letter reveals his five-year-long deception, using trickery and double-dealing in Valeria's service while being perceived as a rogue and Judas by others.
Loyalty and Betrayal
Bellarion's unwavering loyalty to Valeria contrasts with the betrayal of Theodore's usurpation; the city's council is forced to switch allegiance.
Ambition and Power
Bellarion's rise from a nameless scholar to a condottiero prince who holds a city in subjection, yet he plans to renounce power once his mission is complete.
War and Strategy
Bellarion employs Thucydidean tactics to draw Theodore into open battle, and his occupation of Casale is a bloodless strategic coup.
Characters to notice
- Bellarion
Occupies Casale, forces the council to swear fealty to Gian Giacomo, writes a revealing letter to Valeria, and prepares to meet Theodore's advancing army.
- Valeria of Montferrat
Arrives in Casale with her brother, is moved to tears by Bellarion's letter, and apologizes for her past mistrust.
- Theodore of Montferrat
Breaks through Carmagnola's siege at Vercelli and advances on Casale with 4,000–5,000 men.
- Werner von Stoffel
Brings news of Theodore's sally and advance; commands the foot, baggage, and artillery following Bellarion's march.
- Koenigshofen
Holds Pavone with Bellarion's Swiss; marches with the horse toward Casale.
- Giasone Trotta
Rides with Bellarion and the horse from Pavone to San Salvatore and on to Casale.
- Francesco Busone da Carmagnola
Commanded the siege of Vercelli from which Theodore broke out.
- Filippo Maria Visconti
Referenced as the Duke of Milan who resolved to end Theodore's regency and install Gian Giacomo.
Key passages
“That invitation was a command, and it was punctually obeyed by men who had not the strength to resist.”
The polite request was actually an order, and the powerless council complied immediately.
Highlights the coercive nature of Bellarion's 'invitation' to swear fealty.
“To serve you, I have employed trickery and double-dealing until men have dubbed me a rogue, and some besides yourself have come to mistrust me, and once I went the length of doing murder.”
In your service, I have used deceit and cunning so often that people call me a scoundrel, and I have even committed a murder.
Bellarion's candid confession to Valeria about his morally ambiguous actions.
“It is not what a man does or says that counts; but what a man intends.”
A person's actions and words matter less than their underlying intentions.
Bellarion's guiding philosophy, justifying his deceptive methods by his pure motives.
“The acclamations of the people lining the streets brought tears to the eyes of the Princess and a flush to the cheeks of her brother.”
The cheering crowds moved Princess Valeria to tears and made her brother blush with pride.
Describes the emotional public reception of the rightful heirs to Montferrat.
