El Dorado · Character

De Batz

A royalist conspirator whose armed intervention at the Château d'Ourde could save the Dauphin — or doom the hostages held in the coach below.

supporting

Also known as de Batz, Baron de Batz, the Baron de Batz

First appearance: The Demon Chance

As a supporting figure in El Dorado, De Batz is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

De Batz is Armand's companion in the darkened box.

In the storyIn the Théâtre NationalOpen this moment free

See De Batz in In the Théâtre National Book page

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De Batz moves through the shadows of the rescue plot as the League's man on the ground, the one whose attack on Chauvelin's party is both hoped for and dreaded. His presence turns every signal in the night wood into a question of timing: strike too soon and the prisoners pay, strike too late and the child slips away. For Marguerite and Armand, bound in the carriage, he is the terrible variable on which their lives and Percy's honour hang.

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The fuller portrait of De Batz sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See De Batz in The Demon Chance

Character Web

17 connections

A slice of how De Batz sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Scarlet Pimpernel network
Protagonist

+12 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene is the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Armand’s interna…

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Relationships

Armand St. Just
friendship · positive
Armand and De Batz are fellow royalist conspirators, working together to rescue… How this plays out →
Armand St. Just
friendship · positive
Armand and De Batz are fellow royalist conspirators, working together to rescue… How this plays out →
Armand St. Just
friendship · positive
Armand and De Batz are fellow royalist conspirators, working together to rescue… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See De Batz in The Demon Chance

In the story

De Batz appears across 14 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

In the Théâtre National
De Batz is Armand's companion in the darkened box. He is cynical and calculating, explaining the workings of the new spy law and advocating patience for the sake of monarchist restoration.
Widely Divergent Aims
Accosts Armand in the street; argues that the Scarlet Pimpernel should feed the revolution rather than starve it; boasts of his own survival through bribery.
The Demon Chance
Manipulative and opportunistic, de Batz uses Jeanne Lange to keep Armand engaged in his schemes.
IV: Mademoiselle Lange
Accompanies Armand to Jeanne's lodgings, teases Armand about his discretion, and mentions the Scarlet Pimpernel.
The Temple Prison
De Batz watches Armand leave, then walks through the terror-filled streets of Paris, past the guillotine and forced labor camps, to the Temple Prison where he seeks an audience with citizen Héron.
VI: The Committee's Agent
The Royalist conspirator negotiates with Héron for immunity, offering money in exchange for being left alone, but is forced to agree not to interfere with the Dauphin.
The Most Precious Life in Europe
De Batz is led through the Temple Prison by Héron, studying the layout and security for a potential rescue of the Dauphin. He reflects on the need for money, courage, and ingenuity, and resents the Scarlet Pimpernel's possible interference.
Arcades Ambo
Negotiates with Héron, bribes him for immunity, and reveals information about Armand St. Just to divert suspicion from his own rescue plans.
X: Shadows
Jeanne suspects he was involved in Héron's visit that afternoon.
The Weary Search
De Batz is briefly referenced in Armand's memory as having followed a guide through the Galerie des Prisonniers two days earlier.
It Is About the Dauphin
Mentioned by Héron as the suspected mastermind behind the Dauphin's disappearance.
XXV: Paris Once More
Stout, florid man dining with Héron; he is involved in the Dauphin affair and is under surveillance by Héron.
XLI: When Hope Was Dead
Percy's letter is addressed to him, giving a rendezvous at the Chapelle of the Holy Sepulchre to help save the Dauphin.
XLVI: Others in the Park
Mentioned by Marguerite as possibly being in the park with his friends, preparing an attack.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for De Batz unlock in the free preview.

See De Batz in The Demon Chance

See De Batz in In the Théâtre National