# Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva — Beauvallet character guide

> Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva in Beauvallet by Georgette Heyer.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Don Manuel, Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva

**First appearance:** 0003-ii

## Snapshot

Dominica's ailing father, late Governor of Santiago, whose ruined health and lost command shadow his daughter's prospects in Spain.

## Who they are

Don Manuel de Rada y Sylva, broken by West Indian fever and stripped of his governorship, shields his daughter aboard the captured galleon with the last dignity of a Spanish grandee. His infirmity and diminished fortune leave Dominica exposed to the marriage market and to the Inquisition's suspicion. His presence gives the Spanish chapters their weight of fallen honour and quiet grief, and makes Dominica's loyalty to her family a real cost rather than a formality.

## In the story

### [Beauvallet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beauvallet_se/chapters/beauvallet)

Dominica's father, who falls ill during the voyage, prompting her presence on the ship.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beauvallet_se/chapters/i)

Sick and bewildered, he is taken as a guest aboard the Venture, uncertain of Beauvallet's intentions.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beauvallet_se/chapters/ii)

Attempts to maintain decorum and steer conversation, embarrassed by his daughter's behavior.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beauvallet_se/chapters/iii)

Lies ill with fever, shaken from previous day's exertions, and is attended by Joshua and Bartolomeo.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beauvallet_se/chapters/iv)

Lies ill in his cabin, wearily dismisses Joshua Dimmock's remedies, and receives Beauvallet's assistance.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beauvallet_se/chapters/v)

Tests Dominica's feelings, speaks of marriage plans and duennas, and is helped ashore in Spain.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beauvallet_se/chapters/ix)

Reported dead by Don Juan de Narvaez; his death is linked to the encounter with El Beauvallet.

### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beauvallet_se/chapters/xiii)

Mentioned as being in attendance on the King, delaying Dominica's departure.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beauvallet_se/characters/manuel_de_rada
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beauvallet_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beauvallet_se/characters