# Werner von Stoffel — Bellarion the Fortunate character guide

> Werner von Stoffel in Bellarion the Fortunate by Rafael Sabatini.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Stoffel, Messer Stoffel

**First appearance:** 0017-ii-facino-cane

## Snapshot

A burly German mercenary captain whose blunt soldier's honesty and steady competence make him the kind of ally Bellarion can actually rely on.

## Who they are

Werner von Stoffel leads Swiss arbalesters in Facino Cane's service, a foreign captain whose worth is measured in the men who follow him and the ground he holds. He is sent to recover Bellarion's body and instead marches back into Milan beside the living man, a detail that captures his unglamorous, practical loyalty. In a world of shifting allegiances and performed courtesies, Stoffel's straightforwardness marks him as one of the few figures whose word carries weight without ornament.

## In the story

### [III: The Countess of Biandrate](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/iii-the-countess-of-biandrate)

Swiss captain who teaches Bellarion the use of the halberd.

### [IV: The Champion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/iv-the-champion)

Captain of the Swiss company left to guard baggage; details men for Bellarion's escort.

### [Manoeuvres](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/vii-manoeuvres)

Swiss captain; agrees with Bellarion's concerns and joins him in scouting; supports Bellarion's plan to hold the ford.

### [VIII: The Battle of Travo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/viii-the-battle-of-travo)

Reports the death of the wounded Swiss and is sent by Facino to recover Bellarion's body.

### [X: The Knight Bellarion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/x-the-knight-bellarion)

Accompanies Bellarion into Milan and is his confidant regarding the joust.

### [XIII: The Victuallers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xiii-the-victuallers)

Hosts Bellarion at Casalbagliano, admits his men are insufficient to guard the lines.

### [Severance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xvi-severance)

Agrees to join Bellarion's new condotta, bringing fifty Swiss cavalry.

### [XVII: The Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xvii-the-return)

Rides at Bellarion's side ahead of the troop of arbalesters during the return to Casale.

### [II: The Battle of Novi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/ii-the-battle-of-novi)

Accompanies Bellarion as his lieutenant during the contract signing.

### [VI: The Inheritance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/vi-the-inheritance)

Captain present at Facino's funeral as a mourner.

### [VIII: Carmagnola's Bridges](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/viii-carmagnola-s-bridges)

Sent by Bellarion with a force to secure the Carpignano bridge.

### [IX: Vercelli](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/ix-vercelli)

Captures and disbands a detachment sent to destroy a bridge.

### [X: The Arrest](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/x-the-arrest)

Supports Bellarion, argues against the accusation, threatens to raise the Swiss.

### [XI: The Pledge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xi-the-pledge)

Mentioned as leading Swiss troops who might attempt to rescue Bellarion.

### [XIII: The Occupation of Casale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/chapters/xiii-the-occupation-of-casale)

Brings news of Theodore's sally and advance; commands the foot, baggage, and artillery following Bellarion's march.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/characters/stoffel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/bellarion_the_fortunate_se/characters