Bellarion the Fortunate

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Bellarion the Fortunate

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Set in 15th-century Italy, this historical adventure follows Bellarion, a former monk and scholar who leaves his convent to navigate the treacherous politics of Lombardy. As he becomes entangled in alliances between warring factions, he must confront dangerous secrets, betrayal, and the blurred lines between good and evil while seeking redemption and love.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1926, Rafael Sabatini's *Bellarion the Fortunate* is a historical romance set in 15th-century Lombardy, chronicling the life of Bellarion, a man of immense intellect and rigid moral principles. The narrative begins in 1407 when Bellarion leaves the convent of Our Lady of Grace after being sent away for his heretical belief that sin does not exist. His journey into the chaotic secular world leads him to Milan, where he is mistaken for the son of the feared condottiero Facino Cane. Knighted by Facino and receiving a knighthood from the Countess of Biandrate, Bellarion adopts a dog's head as his heraldic device. Bellarion's path quickly intertwines with that of Princess Valeria of Montferrat. Initially viewed with suspicion and accused of betrayal and murder, Bellarion eventually confesses to killing Count Spigno to save Valeria from a political trap. Despite her initial scorn, she begins to recognize his noble intentions. The story escalates as Bellarion serves various lords, including the Duke of Milan, and participates in military campaigns, including the Battle of Travo and the Siege of Alessandria. He suffers a severe wound in the final battle, which forces him to confront his mortality and his feelings for Valeria. As the political landscape shifts with the rise and fall of factions like the Visconti and the Ghibellines, Bellarion witnesses the brutality of war and the corruption of power. He is captured by the defeated Marquis Theodore, who is subsequently judged by Theodore's own nephew, Gian Giacomo. Bellarion's loyalty and courage are tested repeatedly, yet he maintains his integrity. In the end, wounded and weary of the world's vanity, Bellarion decides to renounce his titles and return to a life of peace in a convent. The story concludes with a confession of love from Valeria, revealing that her years of perceived hatred were actually a dissembled love, and Bellarion's acceptance of her as his one true desire.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/rafael-sabatini_bellarion-the-fortunate.epub

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data/epubs/url-4f52724ad38eece2.epub

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2026-07-01 00:10 UTC

Categories

• Fiction
• Historical Fiction